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IFK Göteborg have condemned damage caused by their supporters during their UEFA Conference League match against FCI Levadia Tallinn, after UEFA fined the Swedish club €25,000 and imposed a suspended away-ticket ban.
The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) announced its decision on August 20 following Göteborg’s 3-1 victory in Tallinn on July 30.
The club were fined €15,000 for acts of damage and ordered to serve a full restriction on selling tickets to supporters for their next UEFA club competition away match. However, the sanction has been suspended for a two-year probationary period and will only be activated if Göteborg commit a further offence of a similar nature during that period.
UEFA also ordered Göteborg to contact Levadia within 30 days to settle the costs of damage allegedly caused by their supporters, including two extensively damaged toilet facilities, graffiti on walls and eight broken seats.
A further €10,000 fine was imposed for transmitting a message deemed not fit for a sporting event.
Responding to the sanctions, IFK Göteborg stressed that the behaviour was inconsistent with the club's values.
"IFK Göteborg is a peer association and our values are camaraderie, passion and professionalism. Damage is not in line with our values and must end," the club said.
"This applies as much to our home arena as it is on the away pitch and elsewhere in connection with our matches."
Göteborg also reiterated that individuals should be held accountable for their own actions, saying the club will seek reimbursement from those responsible if their behaviour results in fines or other costs.
"The starting point in IFK Gothenburg’s safety work is that the individual is always responsible for their own actions," the club said. "If one or more people cause IFK Göteborg to suffer a fine or other costs, the association will make claims against the persons who have caused them."
The club also revealed that several individuals and groups had offered to contribute towards paying the fines.
Göteborg thanked supporters for the gesture but said it would prefer any such funds to be directed towards the supporter movement.
"Several individuals and groups have contacted IFK Göteborg with the initiative to contribute to covering the association's fines. We appreciate the desire to help," the club said.
"Our wish is instead that such money goes back to the supporter movement and contributes to a positive and vibrant stand and supporter culture."
The club concluded by calling on everyone connected with Göteborg to take responsibility for their conduct at matches and while travelling.
"Together we take responsibility for IFK Göteborg – on our home arena, on the away pitch and on the move."
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Gene Samit
