MOSCOW, February 4 (R-Sport) - The KHL is to hand down punishments to CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow after fans chanted obscene slogans and let off fireworks at their recent game.

CSKA beat fierce rival Spartak 4-2 on Friday, and the KHL said the misbehavior in the stands may have occurred because both teams sold tickets to fan groups known for causing disruption at soccer games.

Only police intervention prevented physical violence in the stands, the league said in a website statement.

Reported clashes between fans and the police after the game will not be investigated by the league and are to be treated solely as a matter for law enforcement.

The CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow brands both have a presence in many different sports, a relic of their Soviet-era status as the sports clubs of the army and trade unions respectively.

Their rivalry is often held to be the most intense in Russian sport and football matches between the two are often followed by arrests.