Lyon risks season ban by UEFA for fan racism, disorder

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NYON, Switzerland (AP) Europa League final host Lyon is at risk of a one-season ban from UEFA competitions after more fan disorder.

UEFA charged Lyon on Monday for incidents including ''racist behavior'' and ''crowd disturbances'' at a Europa League home game against CSKA Moscow last week.

The case will be judged on May 31 by UEFA's disciplinary panel which will weigh incidents that happened within the perimeter of the stadium on Thursday.

Several police officers were injured after clashes with Lyon fans before the last-16, second-leg game which the French club lost 3-2. Lyon was eliminated from the competition at the stage and lost the chance to reach the May 16 final at home.

Lyon is set to be barred from European club competitions for one season when UEFA makes its verdict.

Last April, UEFA put the club on two-year probation after fan disorder delayed a Europa League quarterfinal against Besiktas.

UEFA fined Lyon 100,000 euros ($124,000) after that game and a further 49,000 euros ($61,000) when fans disrupted the home leg of last season's semifinal against Ajax.

Lyon is fourth in the French league, and is competing with third-place Marseille to advance to play in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League or the group stage of the Europa League.