Soccer-Danish FA seeks damages from drunken fan

COPENHAGEN, Aug 31 (Reuters) The Danish Football Association (DBU) said today it would seek civil damages of 1.9 million crowns (8,500) from the drunken fan who attacked the referee in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden in June.

The DBU said it would lose income because Denmark's next two Euro 2008 qualifiers could not be played at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen, following UEFA sanctions, but would be played at a smaller venue.

''The charged fan has caused a loss of income of at least 1.6 million for the DBU as well a fine and legal costs of an additional 300,000 crowns,'' DBU said in a statement.

''The only logical damages to seek from him are 1.9 million even if the total loss of income from (potentially) missing the final round will be much higher.'' The June 2 Group F match with Sweden was abandoned in the 89th minute with the score at 3-3 in Copenhagen when the fan confronted referee Herbert Fandel after he awarded the Swedes a penalty.

UEFA later awarded Sweden a 3-0 victory, fined the DBU 50,000 Swiss francs and ordered Denmark to play their next two home qualifiers at least 140 km away from the capital.

The DBU said the final loss could be much higher as the attack made it less likely Denmark would qualify for the finals, but added it had not sought these damages -- of more than 30 million crowns -- for legal reasons.

The trial against the 29-year-old fan will start September 4 in Copenhagen City Court. Prosecutors have charged him with assault and illegal entry and Parken Sport&Entertainment, the owners of Parken stadium, will seek civil damages of seven million crowns the DBU said.

The Group F matches, on September 12 against Liechtenstein and October 13 against Spain, will be played at NRGi Park in Aarhus.

The fan later apologised for damaging Denmark's chances of making it to next year's finals.

Denmark are fourth in the group, behind surprise leaders Northern Ireland, Sweden and Spain. They next face Sweden away on September 8.

REUTERS RS KP2148