Nyon, Sep 27: The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) banned Barcelona on Friday from selling tickets to fans for its next away game in the Champions League for “racism and/or other discriminatory conduct” during a game at Monaco.
The disciplinary sanction will apply on November 6 when Barcelona plays at Red Star Belgrade.
UEFA did not specify details of the misconduct during a 2-1 loss at Monaco last week in the teams’ opening game in the new format Champions League opening phase.
The ticket sales ban activated a probationary sanction UEFA ordered for Barcelona last season. In April, fans made Nazi salutes at Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League game.
UEFA said its disciplinary judges also fined Barcelona 10,000 euros (USD 11,000) and ordered a new probationary sanction for a repeat offence in the next year.
That will activate another ticket sales ban for one away game in a European competition.
In light of this serious disciplinary action, Barcelona faces increasing scrutiny over fan conduct in European competitions.
The ban on selling tickets to its supporters for the November 6 away match against Red Star Belgrade not only affects the club’s ability to engage its traveling fanbase but also highlights the club’s ongoing struggles to manage inappropriate behavior from certain sections of their supporters.
UEFA’s decision follows a series of incidents, with the most recent one taking place during Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Monaco, where fans reportedly engaged in racist and discriminatory behavior.
This ban comes as a consequence of a suspended punishment from last season, when Nazi salutes were made by fans during a match against Paris Saint-Germain.
UEFA’s firm stance—backed by a €10,000 fine and a new probationary period—sends a clear message that discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated. (AP)
