UEFA Hit CSKA Sofia With Fine and Ticket Ban

What UEFA Decided

UEFA has handed CSKA Sofia a €50,000 (around $57,000) fine and a ban on ticket sales after fan disorder and discriminatory conduct at a Europa League first qualifying round tie. The incidents held up play for around 15 minutes during the away leg, which CSKA won 2-1 at Derry City.

The governing body’s urgent disciplinary ruling barred the Bulgarian club from selling tickets for one away fixture, citing the throwing of objects, acts of damage and crowd disturbances. On the separate charge of racist and/or discriminatory behaviour, UEFA imposed a further one-match ban on away ticket sales, suspended for a two-year probationary period.

A CSKA club official was additionally fined €5,000 for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, and the club was ordered to compensate Derry City for damage caused to the stadium.

Sanctions at a Glance

Discrimination Rules Under the Spotlight

The sanction is a reminder of UEFA’s stated zero-tolerance stance towards discrimination and crowd violence, with clubs held responsible for their supporters’ behaviour regardless of the result on the pitch. The suspended element of the punishment effectively places CSKA on notice: any repeat within the probationary window would trigger the additional ticket ban.

On the field, meanwhile, the outcome stood. CSKA advanced 5-3 on aggregate, while Derry City dropped down into the Conference League qualifying rounds — a sporting consequence entirely separate from the disciplinary process.

Our AI engine will continue to track both clubs through the European qualifying rounds as the ties progress.

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