Clubs fined over fan safety; rugby and football games canceled

A supporter of the Hungarian club Ferencváros sits among fans' cardboard cutouts on the stands during the UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv in Budapest, Hungary, October 28, 2020. /CFP

Three Champions League clubs were fined by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) on Friday for breaking rules drafted to help protect fans in stadiums during the coronavirus pandemic.

French club Rennes was fined 10,000 euros ($11,800), Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv and Hungarian side Ferencváros must each pay 5,000 euros ($5,900) for breaching safety protocols, UEFA's disciplinary panel judged. The rules include enforcing social distancing, wearing masks, and ensuring fans sit in the seats they were allocated.

Rennes and Dynamo were also fined 22,000 euros ($26,000) and 14,000 euros ($16,600) for blocking stadium walkways for opening home games in a Champions League season where fans are not allowed to attend at most venues.

Hardcore fans of the Ferencváros wait for the kick-off during the UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv in Budapest, Hungary, October 28, 2020. /CFP

In the Europa League, Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia and Croatian club Rijeka were also fined 5,000 euros ($5,900) for similar charges.

Rijeka were also found guilty of unspecified "illicit chants" by fans at a game against Real Sociedad, and fined 10,000 euros ($11,800).

The football federations of Croatia, Latvia and Luxembourg were each fined 5,000 euros ($5,900) for breaking health protocols at Nations League games.

Paris Saint-German coach Thomas Tuchel and Tottenham's José Mourinho were each put on one year of probation. The clubs were fined 30,000 euros and 25,000 euros, respectively.

A staff member disinfects the goal posts during the Premier League match between Brighton and Liverpool in Brighton, England, July 8, 2020. /CFP

England's football friendly match against Norway, set for 1 December in Sheffield, has been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Norwegian Football Federation said its team will be unable to travel because of COVID-19 restrictions in their country.

"While I am disappointed for our fans and players, I fully respect Norway's decision not to travel," said England head coach Phil Neville.

"We will still look to get the squad together for the final time this year, and continue the work we have been doing in integrating younger players and building for the future."

A staff member disinfects the match balls prior to the UEFA Europa League match in Leverkusen, Germany, August 6, 2020. /CFP

The Rugby Autumn Nations Cup's opening match between France and Fiji in Vannes on Sunday has been canceled after coronavirus cases found among Fiji's team.

Organizers said Fiji confirmed one positive test on Tuesday and another four cases "affecting close contacts," after six cases last week forced the cancellation of a warm-up match against Portugal.

"This was a difficult and disappointing decision, but it was the only possible outcome following today's test results," said Ben Morel, chief executive of tournament organizers Six Nations Rugby.

However, a British doctor said the chances of transmission of COVID-19 during professional sports events are very low.

Chris Orton, a research fellow at London's Chelsea and Westminster hospital, said Friday there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission in the UK during a training session or live match.

A staff member wearing personal protective equipment disinfects the stadium at halftime of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St. James Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, November 1, 2020. /CFP

Orton's comments came on the same day Ireland midfielder Alan Browne tested positive for the coronavirus, less than 24 hours after playing against England in Thursday's friendly at Wembley Stadium in London.

Earlier this week, Croatia captain Domagoj Vida was taken off at halftime during a match against Turkey after the team received the news that he had returned a positive COVID-19 result.

"As far as anyone is aware on a governmental, advisory panel level, there are no confirmed cases of transfer either in training or during sporting activities being performed," said Orton.

"During the circumstances around the games is probably where you are much more likely to contract the virus. The risk to your own team is going to be greater than to the opposition but that does not mean that it is necessarily occurring on the pitch."

Rugby players in action during the Super League match between Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos in Warrington, England, November 13, 2020. /CFP

Orton, who has been given a UK Research and Innovation grant to investigate aerosol release in elite sport concerning COVID-19, said there are concerns over the spread of the virus in contact sports such as rugby.

Players involved in scrums, especially the "tight five" in rugby had some increased risk, Orton said, but the chances of transmission in matches were not necessarily higher than in other sports.

"With the benefit of video play back and GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking it is very easy then to see who has been in contact with whom," he said.

"But not just per se stepping out on to the rugby pitch it is going to be the same as stepping out on to any other."

(With input from agencies)