Motherwell have been fined more than £20,000 by UEFA for their fans' latest European misdemeanours. The disciplinary action follows the Steelmen's Conference League play-off exit to Freiburg.
The club was fined for a pitch invasion during the first leg at Fir Park and for supporters letting off pyrotechnics in the return match in Germany. Motherwell chiefs had urged fans before the Freiburg game to behave responsibly, as the actions of a limited few had already cost the club more than £100,000 in previous fines and damage to an LED board in the HJK Helsinki match.
Club statement on fines
A club statement read: 'Despite our request for responsible behaviour following the first two Conference League qualifying rounds, we have just received UEFA fines of €5,000 for a pitch incursion during the home leg against SC Freiburg and €20,000 for pyrotechnic discharges during the second leg in Germany.'
'The club has also been officially reprimanded by the SPFL for a pitch incursion during last month's match against St Mirren in Paisley.'
Financial impact and appeal to fans
'A statement from the club four weeks ago, ahead of the UEFA Conference League play-off matches, advised that due to the behaviour of some supporters, the club was already facing a significant financial cost from various UEFA fines, as well as the damage caused to HJK Helsinki's LED boards.'
'These two latest fines further increase that financial cost. We are disappointed that our recent communication appealing to supporters to act responsibly was ignored by a small minority of fans.'
'At the same time, we fully recognise that the vast majority of our supporters back the team and club in a responsible manner. The support the players have received in the Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany and domestically has been absolutely incredible, and we are hugely grateful for it.'
'Once again, we reiterate that we are not targeting any specific group of supporters. If you have jumped out of the stand or used pyrotechnics, we are simply asking that this does not happen again.'
