Romania reduces racism fine after player appeal

BUCHAREST, Jun 2: Romanian soccer authorities have cut the punishment imposed on Dinamo Bucharest for their fans' racist taunts after the player targeted urged forgiveness.

Last month Dinamo Bucharest fans abused Arges Pitesti's Ivorian defender Mariko Daouda during a first division match.

The sport's governing body originally fined Dinamo more than 24,500 dollars and ordered the team's next home match to be played behind closed doors.

''I didn't feel offended by fans' slogans because I was concentrating on the play,'' Daouda said in an open letter. ''In any case, if 10 fans behaved in a racist way, it doesn't mean that the whole Dinamo gallery was against me.'' The football federation cut the fine to just over 890 dollars and switched Dinamo's home match tomorrow against National Bucharest to Ploiesti, 60 km north of the Capital. Fans will be allowed to go.

Dinamo, fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Steaua Bucharest, are fighting for a place in UEFA Cup.

Reuters