A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 26 MAR 2005. more...

On WED 09 MAR 2005, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to punish Albania and Costa Rica with closed door bans after crowd trouble at recent Men's World Cup qualifiers. Albania's UEFA Group 2 match against the Ukraine on WED 09 FEB 2005 was marred by objects thrown from the stand and a pitch invasion after the final whistle. Because Albania had already been fined and warned for a previous incident, it was fined 40,000 Swiss francs [US$34,500] and ordered to play the next two home matches [against Georgia on SAT 04 JUN 2005 and Kazakhstan on SAT 03 SEP 2005] behind closed doors. Missiles were also thrown at the CONCACAF final round match between Costa Rica and Mexico on the same day, requiring a police escort as the Mexican squad left the pitch. Costa Rica's fine is 20,000 Swiss francs [US$17,000], with the home match against Panama on SAT 26 MAR 2005 also to be played behind closed doors. Both nations can appeal the decisions.

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on WED 09 FEB 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on WED 17 NOV 2004. more...

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on WED 13 OCT 2004. more...

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 09 OCT 2004. more...

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on WED 08 SEP 2004. more...

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 04 SEP 2004. more...

Four matches began play in the UEFA group phase of qualifying for Germany 2006. Romania edged Finland 2-1 in a meeting of potential surprise packages in Group 1, but the early group leaders are Macedonia FYR, 3-0 winners over Armenia. In Group 3, Estonia seemed to struggle against Liechtenstein, who finished with nine players after Christof RITTER and Andreas GERSTER were both dismissed; the Estonians emerged with a 2-1 win. Slovakia defeated Luxembourg 3-1 at home in the day's only other match.