Updated: July 26, 2007, 2:37 PM EST 4 comments

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Twenty-eight police officers were injured, one seriously, when Partizan's Serbian supporters fought with Zrinjski's Bosnian-Croat fans in a first-round qualifying match on July 19 in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Partizan, which won the first-leg match 6-1, was also fined 50,000 Swiss francs (€30,056; US$41,350).

The club has three days to appeal the decision. Subject to an appeal, Zrinjski will progress to the second qualifying round.

Photo Gallery... Chaos runs riot

Police considered the match high-risk and deployed additional officers, but they were unable to stop the fighting at the Bijeli Brijeg stadium.

Four Zrnjski and five Partizan fans were also injured, one seriously.

"I could not believe the punishment was so rigorous," Partizan captain Antonio Rukavina said. "But we must find strength to overcome the situation."

Partizan coach Miroslav Djukic called the punishment a "huge blow, especially for young players who need international experience" but said the decision came as no surprise in view of UEFA's efforts to end soccer violence.

Serbia's own sports ministry also promised to come up with a strategy against fan violence.