UEFA fines Barcelona for fans’ racist behaviour

FC Barcelona supporters cheer on their team during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain

FC Barcelona supporters cheer on their team during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona. Photo: DAX Images/NurPhoto via AFP

Published Apr 18, 2024

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UEFA announced on Thursday it had fined Barcelona €25,000 ($26,680) for racist behaviour by their fans after two supporters were questioned by police following their Champions League quarter-final first leg with Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona were also banned from selling tickets to their supporters for their next away European game, although that punishment is suspended for a year.

Barca lost the tie 6-4 on aggregate after PSG won Tuesday's second leg 4-1.

On April 10, Paris police said they had questioned two people after videos were published on social media of a supporter making monkey noises and another making Nazi salutes at the Parc des Princes.

"The UEFA Appeals Body has decided to fine FC Barcelona 25,000 euros and to ban the FC Barcelona from selling tickets to its away supporters for its next UEFA competition match, for the racist behaviour of its supporters," UEFA said.

"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."

Last month, Spain defender Dani Carvajal said his country was not racist ahead of a friendly against Brazil arranged to support the fight against racism.

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior has suffered racial abuse on many occasions in recent years, with one incident in Valencia in May last year provoking worldwide outrage.

AFP