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The Union of European Football Associations ( UEFA ) banned Barcelona fans from attending their Champions League away match against Red Star Belgrade. Not only this, but the administrative body has also imposed a $11,157 fine on the club, due to the ‘racist behaviour of the fans in their clash against Monaco, where the club registered a 1-2 defeat against their counterparts.
Notably, in their last game, the fans directed Nazi banners and overtones at their team’s new German coach. In addition, fans also displayed a black flag which had ‘Flick Heil’ written over it. The flag was seemingly referring to coach Hansi Flick. Due to the incident, the UEFA has decided to charge the club with ‘racism and/or other discriminatory conduct’. According to it, the ban will be enforced on November 6, when the club will be up against Red Star Belgrade or Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, Serbia.
UEFA bans Barcelona fans from away match; releases official statement
The European governing body announced the ban via an official statement which read, “The charges against Barça relate to racism and/or other discriminatory conduct, per Art. 14(2) of UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations.” It added, "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.”
The statement further read, “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."
Barcelona responds to UEFA ban
The club released a statement in response to the ban imposed by the official football body. It read, "Barcelona will abide by and apply this sanction in the UEFA Champions League match against FK Crvena Zvezda. Barcelona will proceed to refund fans who had already purchased tickets for the game.” "Barcelona rejects any justification of violence and, as stated in the club's statutes, will ensure the protection and promotion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights included in the International Charter of Human Rights proclaimed by the United Nations.”
It added, “Also, as a result of the behaviour, both in matches played as the home side (whether at the Olympic Stadium or the Johan Cruyff Stadium) as well as in away games, which is bringing repeated sanctions, both at national and international level, the club will strengthen current measures and undertake additional actions that are appropriate in order to prevent these events from being repeated in the future as well as sanctioning those responsible."
