UEFA Punish Us For Lille's Mistakes

Lille must pay £42,000 for insufficient security and organisation and for their ludicrous protest against Ryan Giggs' goal.

Of course, it's not the official appeals we're talking about but their team's shameful behaviour who even wanted to walk off the pitch. It's all right that they are punished - anyone who had been there or seen the events would agree that they totally failed with organising the match in a decrepit stadium.

However, after the treatment the United fans received from the French police, it's quite unfair that the Reds have been fined, too. It's not about the money of course, £6,300 won't exactly take the club into bankruptcy. But look at the reasons:

'Manchester United have been fined 15,000 Swiss francs for the improper conduct of their fans at the game, which included the setting-off of fireworks and disturbances at the entrance to the stadium,' UEFA's statement read.

Well, setting of fireworks happen at every European game so that's a peculiar argument. As for disturbances at the entrance: as far as I know, that was down to the systematic organisational failures of the hosts who rejected the idea of arranging the match for the Stade de France, a venue that fulfills all the requirements of the UEFA. They were asking for trouble and got it - but why is that United's fault?

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