FIFA imposes heavy fines on six countries including Argentina

FIFA has fined six national federations, including defending champion Argentina, for racist abuse by fans at World Cup qualifiers in June.

The six nations charged with “discrimination and racist abuse” were Albania, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to the sanctions list published by FIFA from its disciplinary committee. It did not provide details on any of the cases.

The Albanian federation had the largest fine of 161,500 Swiss francs ($200,000) imposed for a slew of charges at a June 7 home game against Serbia, that also included disturbing a national anthem and transmitting “a message that is not appropriate for a sports event.”

Albania and Serbia have historic political tensions that in soccer led to the notorious “drone game” in Belgrade in 2014 at a European Championship qualifying game.

The teams drew 0-0 in Tirana in June and the return game in Belgrade is Oct. 11. FIFA said Albania must also reduce stadium capacity by 20% at a future game. It hosts Latvia next Tuesday in the qualifying group led by England.

Argentina was fined 120,000 Swiss francs ($149,000) by FIFA for a single charge of discrimination or racist abuse at a June 10 game against Colombia in Buenos Aires.