The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body punished PAOK FC and SK Rapid Vienna following incidents at their UEFA Europa League playoff first leg in Salonika on Aug. 23. The Greek and Austrian clubs have been disqualified for one competition in progress and/or excluded from the next competition for which they qualify in the next five years. Both bans are suspended for probationary periods of three years. PAOK was charged with the improper conduct of supporters including crowd disturbances, pitch invasion, setting off and throwing of missiles and fireworks and insufficient organization. Rapid Vienna is facing charges of improper conduct of supporters, crowd disturbances as well as setting off and throwing of fireworks and missiles. PAOK has been ordered to play its next three UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors. The club has also been fined €150,000 ($188,460). Rapid has been fined €75,000 ($94,230) and must play its next UEFA competition home game behind closed doors. This punishment does not apply to the UEFA Europa League playoff second leg between Rapid and PAOK in Vienna on Thursday. PAOK holds a 2-1 lead from the first leg (UEFA).
