UEFA soften Lech Poznan stadium sanction

UEFA have softened a penalty slapped on Lech Poznan for stadium security problems, cutting capacity to three-quarters rather than half for the Poles' Europa League tie against Portuguese visitors Braga.

Lech Poznan, who had appealed against the European football governing body's ruling, said in a statement that they would now be allowed to sell just over 29,000 tickets for Thursday's tie, rather than the original cap of some 20,000.

UEFA had also fined Lech 20,000 euros (27,000 dollars) and ordered them to play one match behind closed doors, with the latter penalty suspended for two years.

Lech were accused of failing to respect security rules during their previous Europa League home game against Juventus in December, which clinched them a berth in the last 32 of the competition.

UEFA had spotlighted problems at the Stadion Miejski in the western city of Poznan, noting that its exits were clogged by fans and that more stewards had been needed.

It also faulted overly-narrow access areas to some stands and mistakes in seat numbering.

The upgraded, 43,000-capacity ground -- also one of Poland's four venues for the 2012 European Championship -- was opened in September and has proven a hit with the public.

It is owned by Poznan city hall, which in turn grants Lech rights to the arena.