UEFA have fined Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner £80,000 for
flashing his pants against Portugal.
The Arsenal hitman has also been banned for one match after showing
off a logo for bookmakers Paddy Power during Wednesday’s game in
Kharkiv.
But UEFA’s fine is more than TREBLE the figure dished out to the
Russian FA following crowd trouble during their match with Poland.
European football’s governing body fined Russia £24,000 for the setting off
and throwing of fireworks by supporters.
Other fans also displayed offensive banners and one even ran onto the pitch in
Warsaw.
The
Russians were also hit with a £96,000 bill and a suspended six-point
deduction for their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign following crowd
violence during the match with the Czech Republic on June 8.
In a separate incident at Euro 2012, the Croatian FA were handed a £20,000
fine after some spectators threw fireworks and missiles during the game
against Republic of Ireland, while another fan invaded the pitch in Poznan.
And the Croatians could face further sanctions after UEFA confirmed they have
opened disciplinary proceedings against them following alleged racist
conduct of their fans during the match against Italy on Thursday.
In April, UEFA
fined Portuguese side Porto £16,000 for racist conduct by their
supporters during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg against
Manchester City FC.
And last November, the Bulgarian
FA were fined £32,000 after fans aimed ‘monkey’ chants at Theo
Walcott, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole in a match against England.
Paddy Power released a statement condemning UEFA’s decision to fine Bendtner.
It read: “We are appalled with the severity of Nicklas Bendner’s fine
for displaying Paddy Power on the waistband of his lucky underpants
recently.
“This is a hysterical and deeply cynical move by UEFA dictated by pure
commercialism and is a far greater penalty than recent UEFA fines for far
more serious incidents.
“We will be contacting Mr Bendtner to offer him our full support for his
appeal.”