Veszprem fined for spectator incident

The EHF Court of Handball has ruled upon the case opened against MVM Veszprém following an incident occurred within the frame of the 2015/16 VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-final (2nd leg) against HC Vardar. At 59:50 minutes of the match, a spectator hit one of the EHF referees while the latter was running by the long side opposite to the TV camera.

On the one hand, the Court finds that the club did not implement all necessary and adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of all participants at all times contrary to Article 1 of the EHF Rules on Safety and Security Procedure as well as Article 6, Chapter IV of the VELUX EHF Champions League Regulations. In particular, the club did not keep a minimum distance of one metre between the electrical advertising board and the spectators’ seat as set forth in Article 7.3, Chapter VII of the VELUX EHF Champions League Regulations. Such a shortcoming enabled the spectator to physically reach the EHF referee.

Consequently, according to Articles 6.1, 12.1 and 14.1 of the EHF Legal Regulations, as well as Article D.2 b) of the EHF list of Penalties, the club must pay a fine of €3,000 for this violation.

On the other hand, the Court finds that in accordance with Article 2.2 of the EHF Legal Regulations, the club must be held responsible for the behaviour of its spectator. Regarding the spectator’s conduct, the Court underlines that it constitutes an extremely dangerous gesture towards the physical integrity of the referee and is highly detrimental to the image and thus interests of our sport, especially when taking place during the most prestigious club team competition in men’s handball for which the media coverage is broad and the public interest high.

Hence, according to Articles 6.1, 12.1 and 14.1 of the EHF Legal Regulations, as well as Article B.4 of the EHF list of Penalties and Article 4.2 of the EHF Rules on Safety and Security Catalogue of Penalties, a fine of €10,000 is imposed on the club.

An appeal may be filed with the Court of Appeal within seven days.