Barcelona fans cannot attend their side's Champions League game at Red Star Belgrade after being charged for the "racist behaviour of its supporters".
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Barca hit with UCL ticket banFound guilty of "racist" behaviourUEFA fine Spanish club £8,330WHAT HAPPENED?
UEFA have fined the Catalan outfit £8,330 (€10,000/$11,163) for supporters' racist behaviour during their 2-1 Champions League defeat against Monaco in September. The governing body state Barca fans have also been banned from travelling to their next away match in the competition – which is against Red Star on November 6. The nature of the racist behaviour has not been specified by UEFA.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT UEFA SAID
A statement from UEFA published on Friday reads: "The charges against Barca relate to racism and/or other discriminatory conduct, per Art. 14(2) of UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations. The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) had decided to order the enforcement of the suspended disciplinary measure imposed by the UEFA Appeals Body in its decision on 17 April 2024 for the racist behaviour of its supporters, i.e. to ban FC Barcelona from selling tickets to its away-supporters for the next UEFA competition match in accordance with Article 26(3) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations. And also to fine FC Barcelona €10,000 and to ban FC Barcelona from selling tickets to its away-supporters for one additional UEFA competition match for the racist behaviour of its supporters. Said ban from selling tickets to its away supporters is suspended for a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This is not the first time Barcelona have got into trouble for fan behaviour. Three Barca fans were arrested following their Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain last season, allegedly for using racist language and performing Nazi salutes. This comes at a time where Hansi Flick's side have won all seven of their La Liga games this season.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Top of the table Barcelona – who lost their Champions League opener 2-1 at Monaco earlier this month – return to La Liga action on Saturday evening when they host Granada.
