UEFA could allow only women, children at games rather than stadium closures for racism

Manchester City players and CSKA players play in front of empty stands during the Champions League Group E soccer match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City at Arena Khimki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday Oct. 21, 2014. CSKA have to play 3 matches behind closed doors after as punishment for the bad behaviour of their fans last season. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) (The Associated Press)

Manchester City players and CSKA players play in front of empty stands during the Group E Champions League soccer match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City at Arena Khimki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. CSKA has to play 3 matches behind closed doors as punishment for the bad behaviour of their fans during the last season. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) (The Associated Press)

UEFA President Michel Platini is mulling whether to allow only women and children into matches rather than completely closing stadiums as punishment for supporters' racist abuse.

CSKA Moscow's Champions League match against Manchester City on Tuesday was played without paying fans, the first of three UEFA fixtures the Russian club must play behind closed doors over racism.

But City captain Vincent Kompany questioned why innocent away fans were also excluded from the stadium, while manager Manuel Pellegrini criticized the presence of CSKA fans in seats assigned for sponsors.

UEFA Chief of Press Pedro Pinto told The Associated Press on Tuesday he discussed with Platini "the possibility of inviting women and children for free instead of closing the stadium completely."

That would emulate rules in Turkey to punish unruly fan behavior.