Malmo fined £73,000 by UEFA for poor pitch in Champions League

Juventus: Celebrate at Swedbank Stadion having beaten Malmo in November

UEFA have fined Swedish side Malmo £73,000 for a sub-standard playing surface in the Champions League.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel cited "the poor condition of the pitch at the club's three home group stage matches."

Juventus players raised concerns about the Swedbank Stadium turf before their 2-0 win on November 26, played three weeks after the spring-to-autumn Swedish season ended.

UEFA said half of Malmo's fine is deferred for a two-year probationary period.

Malmo earned around £7million in UEFA prize money despite finishing bottom of their group, which also included Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos. The club will get more from broadcasting rights fees.

As Sweden's league winner in 2014, Malmo return to the Champions League qualifying rounds in July.