- The Catalan club have been hit with an immediate Champions League ticket ban
- Some Barcelona supporters were found to have been ‘racist’ against Monaco
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Barcelona have been banned from selling away tickets for the club’s next Champions League match after UEFA found some supporters had been racist in their opening European clash of the season.
The Catalan club lost 2-1 to Monaco in their initial Champions League outing last week with the French side scoring either side of Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal’s first strike in the competition.
However, the match was marred as racist abuse was heard coming from Barcelona fans in the away section, with UEFA now hitting the club with a serious punishment.
Barcelona travel to Serbian side Red Star Belgrade in their second away meeting and won’t be allowed to take any supporters with them for the clash at the 51,000-seater stadium.
The LaLiga giants have also been hit with an £8,332 fine from the governing body for the actions of their fans while in Monaco that included one individual holding up a sign showing the Nazi symbol.
Barcelona will be without their supporters for the club’s next Champions League away match
Some Barcelona fans were found to have showed ‘racist behaviour’ during the club’s trip to Monaco
UEFA confirmed the punishment as they cited ‘racist behaviour of supporters’ at the Louis II Stadium in the first round of Champions League matches as the prestigious tournament got underway.
The governing body also stated: ‘The charges against Barca relate to racism and/or other discriminatory conduct, per Art. 14(2) of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations.’
Barcelona will also see their fans banned from more future away matches if there is any repeat of their racist behaviour as UEFA also imposed an additional one-match ban that is suspended for 12 months in relation to two other incidents.
Supporters of the mega-club attending last season’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain were reprimanded after making racist gestures that again included Nazi references.
Barcelona were beaten by Monaco in the club’s opening Champions League fixture
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has endured a mixed start to his career at the Catalan club
Barcelona have responded to UEFA’s sanction, stating they will ‘undertake additional actions that are appropriate in order to prevent these events from being repeated in the future as well as sanctioning those responsible.’
The club are also in the process of issuing refunds for those who have already bought tickets for the away fixture in Serbia.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk