"UEFA officials pointed out that, in the last five years, Partizan has been fined on 25 occasions out of 36 UEFA competitions matches, which made it crucial for Control and Disciplinary Body in reaching such a strong decision," the statement said.

Partizan Belgrade were also fined with 50,000 Swiss francs (30,200 euros, 41,500 dollars).

"This is the most severe blow in the 60-year long history of Partizan. The biggest loss. What could be worse?," the Serbian club Secretary General Zarko Zecevic said.

However, he added that "there's no fooling around with UEFA. Who does not play by the rules, should not compete. I hope that state prosecutors will do something" to punish hooligans for violence at football matches.

There was no immediate indication whether the club would appeal.

A week ago in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar during the match with Zrinjski, Partizan Belgrade's fans provoked incidents with supporters of the host team.

Twenty-seven policemen and nine fans were injured in the clashes after the match that ended with Zrinjski's 6-1 defeat.

Matches between Bosnian Croat and Muslim teams and those from neighbouring Serbia are treated as high risk events, following Bosnia's 1992-95 war that pitted the country's three ethnic groups against each other.

Subject to any appeal, Zrinjski will progress to the second qualifying round.