Soccer-Red Star handed three-match crowd ban over riot

BELGRADE, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade have been ordered to play three home games behind closed doors and fined 500,000 dinars ($9,193) for a riot in which a policeman was seriously injured.

First division commissioner Dragce Dimitrijevic punished Red Star on Monday after their fans attacked the policeman with burning flares and seats in a league match earlier this month.

One of the offenders apprehended in the aftermath has been charged with attempted murder. Three Red Star officials arrested on Friday and charged with causing a state of general danger face up to a month in detention while the investigation is completed.

Pending an appeal, the verdict means Red Star will complete their ban against leaders and bitter city rivals Partizan in the first Belgrade derby to be played with no fans.

Partizan lead the Serbian first division by four points from Red Star with one match to go before the winter break. (Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; editing by Alison Wildey)