Arsenal will benefit from Bayern Munich fans being banned from attending the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates.
UEFA sanctioned the reigning German champions earlier this week, with the supporters unable to attend the away fixture.
The ban was imposed after Bayern supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch during their match against Lazio earlier this month.
Bayern had previously been given a suspended one match ban on sales of tickets to away supporters, after fans had set off fireworks during their group match at Copenhagen in October.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen admitted the club had to accept the ban, which was triggered after the latest incident against Lazio.
‘We have to accept this punishment. Not only were pyrotechnics set off, but also fired deliberately onto the field, directly endangering bystanders,’ said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.
‘This was such an explicit violation of the conditions of probation that an appeal is unfortunately futile.’
‘In general we’re very happy that we’re in the quarter-finals, but the fact we now have to play away without the support of our fans is a big blow.
‘A small group of individual offenders have done a disservice to all our supporters and the team.
‘However, I am confident that our team will find a way to deliver the top performance that will be needed in the quarter-finals.’
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