Estonian Football Association fined over actions of Bosnia fans

TALLINN - The international football body FIFA has fined the Estonian Football Association 30,000 Swiss francs or 26,000 euros over an incident where fans of Bosnia and Herzegovina hurled burning signal torches into the pitch during a World Cup qualifier played in Tallinn on Oct. 10 this year.

In addition to the fine the Estonian Football Association was given a warning by FIFA. The football association of Bosnia and Herzegovina was fined 40,000 Swiss francs or 34,500 euros and given a warning, Postimees said.

In the 12th minute of the match played between Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Tallinn's Lillekula stadium on Oct. 10, the game was interrupted for a few minutes as dozens of signal torches flew on to the field from the Bosnia and Herzegovina fan sector.

Mihkel Uiboleht, head of the public and international relations department at the Estonian Football Association, said shortly after the match that, on the basis of an account provided by the FIFA delegate who surveys each FIFA playoff, FIFA will probably launch a disciplinary investigation into the incident and will ask for clarification from the organizers of the game as well as from the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association, which is responsible for what happens in the visitors' sector.

He said FIFA usually makes a decision on if and who to punish within one to two months after the report has been submitted to the disciplinary committee.

The last time the Estonian Football Association was punished for the behavior of fans was last year when Estonian fans at a match between Estonia and Greece in October 2016 belittled the referee. The Estonian Football Association was fined 18,500 euros for that incident.

The Estonian team lost 1-2 in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia's win was secured by Izet Hajrovic with two goals in the 48th and 84th minute, respectively. Estonia's only goal was by Ilja Antonov in the 75th minute.