UEFA bans Barcelona fans from one Champions League game for Nazi-style flag

Barcelona was charged with “racism and/or other discriminatory conduct”

UEFA banned Barcelona on Friday from selling tickets to fans for its next away game in the Champions League for displaying a banner with Nazi overtones about the team's new German coach.

A black flag with the words “Flick Heil” in apparent tribute to coach Hansi Flick was displayed during a 2-1 loss at Monaco last week.

UEFA said the club was charged with “racism and/or other discriminatory conduct,” and the disciplinary sanction will apply on November 6 when Barcelona plays at Red Star Belgrade.

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 ($11,000) and ordered a new probationary sanction for a repeat offense in the next year. That will activate another ticket sales ban for one away game in a European competition.

Published - September 27, 2024 04:32 pm IST