Red Star Belgrade slammed by UEFA for alleged racism against Ibrahimovic

Following racist comments, Red Star Belgrade have apologized to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and will go on to pay a fine as issued by UEFA. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Racism has no place in football and everywhere else, a statement that can’t be overemphasized and UEFA is leading from the front with yet another scapegoat.

Red Star Belgrade have been ordered to play a home game in European competition behind closed doors and fined €30,000 ($36,000) for racist behaviour and COVID-19 protocol breaches during their Europa League clash with AC Milan, UEFA said on Wednesday.

An unidentified individual seated in Red Star's VIP box shouted ethnically offensive slurs to Milan and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has Bosnian roots, during the first leg of the round-of-32 clash in February.

"Red Star is to play the next two home matches behind closed doors, the second being suspended for a probationary period of one year starting from the date of this decision, for the racist behaviour of its supporters," UEFA said.

European football's governing body specified that Red Star had violated rules pertaining to admission of spectators and social distancing to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Red Star, the 1991 European Cup winners, apologized to Milan and Ibrahimovic and promised to work closely with Serbian authorities to identify the offender but no one has been charged.