Costa Rica Fined and Fans Banned After Crowd Violence
Costa Rica have been fined and ordered to host their next World Cup
qualifier behind closed doors after fans rioted following their defeat
by Mexico last month, the national federation (Fedefutbol) has said.
World body FIFA fined Costa Rica 20,000 Swiss francs (us$17.000 dollars)
and ordered them to play Panama in the CONCACAF qualifiers behind closed
doors at the Saprissa stadium in the capital on March 26, Fedefutbol
chairman Hermes Navarro said.
Costa Rica fans threw objects including coins and batteries onto the
pitch after Mexico won 2-1, their first win in San Jose in a World Cup
qualifier, on February 9.
A Fedefutbol statement on Tuesday said Costa Rica would appeal as they
consider the sanctions harsh.
Mexico and the U.S. lead the six-nation CONCACAF final qualifying group
with three points each after the first round of matches. The U.S. also
won 2-1 at Trinidad & Tobago while Panama drew 0-0 at home against
Guatemala.
The top three sides qualify directly for the 2006 World Cup finals in
Germany. The fourth-placed team will play off against an Asian team.
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