A Serbian football club has been fined 40,000 euros (£34,800) after a huge crowd display featuring an Orthodox icon was created in the stands.
During a Europa League match in February between FK Crvena Zvezda and French side Lille, a banner reading “May our faith lead you to victory” was also unfurled.
Governing body UEFA ruled the actions in breach of rules on non-sporting messages and issued the fine for “transmitting a message that is not fit for a sports event” and “bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.”
Further fines connected with the artwork, known as a “tifo”, were also issued for the blocking of passageways, lighting fireworks and throwing objects. In total FK Crvena Zvezda was ordered to pay 95,500 euros (£83,200) for the offences at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade on 26 February.
The club has the right to appeal.
UEFA’s rules state that “political, ideological, and religious messages are prohibited in stadiums before, during or after matches”.