Champions League: €30,000 fine for FC Basel after Greenpeace action of the 01/10/2013

The Disciplinary Committee of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) has fined FC Basel 1893 (SWTZ) €30,000 for "insufficient organisation," announced the European body, 17/10/2013.

This decision follows the interruption by Greenpeace, an NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) of a Champions League match between Basel and Schalke 04 (0-1, Day 2, group stage, group E). Greenpeace representatives unfurled a banner from the roof of the Saint-Jacques Park stadium in Basel, on the 01/10/2013.

"We are aware of the fine imposed by UEFA. We have strengthened security measures for the league match against FC St. Gallen (on the 19/10/2013)", announced Bernhard Heusler, the President of FC Basel.

• Four Greenpeace activists climbed the walls of 36,000 stadium, on the 01/10/2013 and abseiled from the stadium roof to unfurl a banner that read "Do not foul the Arctic", with reference to Russian company Gazprom's oil drilling projects in the Arctic.
  • The oil producer and exporter is the shirt sponsor of Schalke 04 (Bundesliga).
  • Gazprom is also an official sponsor of the Champions League.
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