Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has branded UEFA’s decision to fine his club as “ridiculous.”
The Tangerines will have to pay 5000 euros, approximately £4340, as punishment for one of their fans encroaching the playing surface during July’s Europa League qualifier against Polish club Slask Wroclaw.
United won the second leg 3-2 but went out of the competition on the away goals rule. The pain of defeat has now been confounded by a cash penalty.
What has fuelled Thompson’s anger is that the Poles got off scot-free despite several of their supporters causing trouble and damage on the city’s streets on the day of the game.
Tayside Police sent a report to Uefa criticising the Slask fans and the mayor of Wroclaw even apologised to the city of Dundee in a subsequent statement.
However, it is the Tangerines who have been left to count the cost, although they are considering an appeal.
“It’s ridiculous, especially considering everything else that went on surrounding the game,” said Thompson.
“UEFA are always hard to come down on British clubs and they treat us like second-class citizens.
“I am disgusted by the whole thing. Our club does not have a blemish on our record in 40 years of playing in Europe.
“The fan walked on to the park to pick something up and went straight back off again. We are able to appeal so that is something I will consider because it is a matter of principle.”
Meanwhile, Thompson and manager Peter Houston will take questions from members of fans’ group ArabTRUST at a meeting in Club 83 on Thursday, September 22.