UEFA have fined Barcelona €10,000 ($11,157) and banned fans from travelling to the club’s next away game in the Champions League due to the “racist behaviour of supporters” in last week’s 2-1 defeat to Monaco.
The charges relate to the presence Nazi symbolism in the away end at the Stade Louis II and, as a result, Barça fans will not be present for the game against Crvena Zvezda on Nov. 6 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Barça will also be prohibited from selling away tickets to one additional UEFA competition match, although that ban is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
The punishment comes on the back of the behaviour of Barça supporters in their Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes last April, after which Barcelona were fined €25,000 by UEFA for Nazi salutes and racist gestures.
“The charges against Barça relate to racism and/or other discriminatory conduct, per Art. 14(2) of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations,” European football’s governing body said in a statement Friday.
“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.”
Images circulated during Barça’s defeat to Monaco of a fan in the away end holding up a banner that showed Nazi symbolism.
“Disgraceful,” Barça vice president Elena Fort said of the incident. “It’s disgusting and sad that someone who says they love the club acts in this manner. Everything has a limit. This can never be repeated. Never.”
Barça issued a statement in response to the UEFA ban.
“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,” it read.
“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.
“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.”
Head coach Hansi Flick also addressed the news in his Friday news conference.
“I think Elena Fort has given the right answer,” he said. “Every word I will do now is too much for that. It’s not worth to say something. I think it’s done.”
