Barcelona fans banned from next Champions League away game after racist behavior against Monaco

Barcelona have been banned from selling tickets to the club’s away supporters for a match by UEFA following racist behavior by supporters during their Champions League match in Monaco earlier this month.

The La Liga side will be without away supporters for their next Champions League away game, which is the league stage match at Red Star Belgrade on November 6.

Barcelona have been handed a suspended one-match ban from selling tickets to away supporters in UEFA competitions for a trial period of one year after racist behavior in last season’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain . Following the supporters’ behavior against Monaco, UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body accused Barcelona of racism and/or discriminatory behaviour, and this suspension has now been applied.

The club was also fined €10,000 (£8,300; $11,100) and given an additional suspended one-match ban from selling tickets to away supporters for UEFA competitions, which again is suspended for a year.

A statement from Barcelona after UEFA’s announcement confirmed that the club will respect the organisation’s ruling and refund supporters who have already bought tickets for the Red Star match.

“FC Barcelona rejects any type of justification for violence and, as indicated in articles 3 and 4 of the statute, strives to protect and promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights contained in the International Charter of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations.” the statement added.

“Furthermore, given the behavior of supporter groups and supporters, both at home matches (Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys or Estadi Johan Cruyff) and away pitches, it derives from repeated sanctions both domestically and internationally , the club is prepared to strengthen current measures and take further initiatives to prevent future occurrences and sanction those responsible.”

After Barcelona’s quarter-final first-leg victory over PSG in April, three fans were arrested for allegedly making Nazi salutes and using racist language. Subsequently, Barcelona temporarily suspended them from buying tickets.

Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Monaco at the Stade Louis II in their Champions League opener but have won all six of their La Liga games to start the 2024-25 campaign.

(David Ramos/Getty Images)