TOKYO – The J-League has disciplined Japanese club Urawa Reds over racist fan behavior, ordering the popular team to play its next home game at an empty stadium.
Thursday's decision comes after a fan displayed a banner at Urawa's stadium Saturday that had the words "Japanese Only" written on it. The sign was put up at a stadium entrance and wasn't removed until after the March 8 game.
Urawa will play its next home game on March 23.
Most teams in the J-League have several foreign players on their squads, but Urawa did not have a single foreigner in its lineup for Saturday's match, which it lost 1-0.
Following Thursday's decision, the team announced it will prohibit supporters from displaying signs and banners of any kind at all home games.
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