Behind Closed Doors

SI Staff | Apr 29, 2015

Behind Closed Doors

Orioles vs White Sox — April 29, 2015

Al Tielemans for SI

With the stadium closed to fans due to safety concerns, the only people in the ballpark at Camden Yards were the players, umpires, media and team officials. The lack of spectators created one of the most unique game environments in American sports history as Baltimore defeated Chicago 8-2. The decision to close the ballpark was made after several days of unrest in Baltimore as citizens protest the death of Freddie Gray.

Nice vs Guingamp — March 13, 2015

Jean Christophe Magnenet/AFP/Getty Images

The France Ligue 1 match was played behind closed doors at Allianz Riviera stadium as punishment for Nice fans setting off flares two months earlier against Marseille. Guingamp beat Nice 2-1.

CSKA Moscow vs Manchester City — Oct. 21, 2014

Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images

CSKA's Champions Leagee match against Manchester City was played in an empty Luzhniki Stadium as a result of fan violence and racism during CSKA's loss to Roma in Italy in September, when fans of CSKA began tossing flares at Roma supporters during the second half. CSKA Moscow and Man City played to a 2-2 tie.

Urawa Reds vs Shimizu S-Pulse — March 23, 2014

Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images

Officials ordered one of the top teams in Japan’s professional J-League, the Urawa Reds, to play in an empty Saitama Stadium as punishment for a “Japanese only” banner that fans displayed during a game in Tokyo earlier in the month. Urawa and Shimizu played to a 1-1 tie.

Ajax vs. AZ Alkmaar — Jan. 19, 2012

Peter Dejong/AP

In their original match, held at the same venue one month earlier, Ajax held a 1–0 lead when a fan ran onto the pitch and launched a karate kick from behind against AZ goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado. The player responded by kicking the fan several times before security arrived. When Alvarado was sent off for retaliating against his attacker, AZ left the pitch, and the match was abandoned. AZ Alkmaar defeated Ajax 3-2 in their closed doors replay match at Amsterdam Arena.

Edinburgh vs Castres — Dec. 20, 2010

Graham Stuart/AFP/Getty Images

The rugby union match was originally scheduled a day earlier, but was postponed due to heavy snow in Edinburgh that covered the pitch and created major access issues for potential spectators. The competition organizer, European Rugby Cup, decided to hold the rescheduled match behind closed doors to remove any possible danger to spectators attempting to travel to the match. Edinburgh edged Castres 24-22.

Dinamo Bucureşti vs Unirea Alba Iulia — Nov. 28, 2009

Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images

FC Dinamo Bucureşti had to play two home games in European competitions behind closed doors after their match against FC Slovan Liberec on Aug. 25, 2009 was abandoned in the 88th minute due to a pitch invasion by Dinamo fans.

Juventus vs Atalanta — May 17, 2009

Massimo Pinca/AP

Juventus were ordered to play a home game behind closed doors after their fans had racially abused Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli during a 1-1 Serie A draw in April 2009. Juventus and Atalanta played to a 2-2 tie.

Mexico Clausura — April-May 2009

Hector Vivas, Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty Images

During the penultimate round of league games all teams had to play with closed doors due to the H1N1 swine flu outbreak in infected cities. Several games taking place in areas which were badly affected by the outbreak were also played behind closed doors the following week.

Davis Cup: Sweden vs. Israel — March 6-9, 2009

Stig-Ake Jonsson/AFP/Getty Images

Sweden elected to host Israel in 2009 without any fans present, citing a fear of protests over Israel's bloody December offensive in Gaza. The Swedes were fined for that decision. They also wound up losing 3-2.

Serie A Italy Football — Feb. 11, 2007

Bob Martin for SI; Marcello Paternostro/AFP/Getty Images

As a result of a policeman being killed during rioting at a Serie A match between Catania and Palermo on Feb. 2, 2009, the Italian Football Federation suspended all Italian matches indefinitely. Subsequently, matches resumed but many clubs were ordered to play their games behind closed doors until their stadiums met with updated security regulations.

European Cup Winners' Cup — Oct. 1, 1980

Popperfoto/Getty Images

After rioting by fans in the first leg against Castilla in Madrid, West Ham United were forced to play the second leg at Upton Park to an empty stadium.