Adem Ljajic is warned for ‘provoking’ Feyenoord fans, but the Dutch club insists its supporters were “not racist” towards Roma.
UEFA launched an investigation into the events of the Europa League meeting in Rotterdam, which saw play suspended after Feyenoord supporters threw numerous objects – including lighters and a giant inflatable banana – on to the pitch.
Ljajic had been accused of ‘provoking’ fans with his goal celebration, but avoided a fine or ban, given only a warning.
Adem Ljajic is warned for ‘provoking’ Feyenoord fans, but the Dutch club insists its supporters were “not racist” towards Roma.
UEFA launched an investigation into the events of the Europa League meeting in Rotterdam, which saw play suspended after Feyenoord supporters threw numerous objects – including lighters and a giant inflatable banana – on to the pitch.
Ljajic had been accused of ‘provoking’ fans with his goal celebration, but avoided a fine or ban, given only a warning.
Roma received a €10,000 fine for delaying the start of the match.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord will face charges of racist behaviour from their fans on March 19 and the club hit back with a statement.
“The bananas were part of a fun activity by our supporters, who also used beach balls, for instance,” said general director Eric Gudde.
“We did everything we could to convince UEFA of this.”
The statement on the club website insisted the bananas are often seen in the stands “to create a good atmosphere at the stadium” for many years.
“Feyenoord is a multicultural club,” continued Gudde.
“That can be seen throughout our organisation, from the first team to the youth academy. It is very disappointing that an association is now being made with racism.
“We have shown UEFA through photos and video footage that the inflatable banana is part of the activities organised by our supporters.
“During the away match at AS Roma, for instance, there were beach balls and inflatable bananas bouncing around the away section in the 12th minute, while a couple of years ago, in the home match against Heracles, more than a hundred of these articles could be seen in the stands.
“This has been a regular occurrence at Feyenoord over the past decades, purely intended as a fun activity to create a good atmosphere.
“So it is not appropriate that Feyenoord is now being associated with racism because of those inflatable bananas.”