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Barcelona have been fined €32,000 (£27,400) by UEFA for behaviour of fans – including racism – during last week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
The club was charged with acts of damage, the lighting of fireworks and racist behaviour from fans in the away end at Parc des Princes.
A UEFA statement confirmed the breakdown of punishments, with a €2,000 fine issues for the fireworks and €5,000 for the acts of damage, which included damaged seats. Barca must also contact PSG within 30 days to settle the damage caused by its fans – that could total an extra €7,000 cost.
For racist behaviour, Barcelona must pay €25,000 and have also been hit with a suspended ban on selling tickets for the club’s next away match in a UEFA competition – which would likely be on matchday one or two of next season’s Champions League group stage. The probationary period relating to the ban’s suspension lasts one year until 18 April 2025.
The behaviour in question was Nazi salutes and other racist gestures.
Back in October, Barcelona vowed to investigate alleged racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during El Clasico at Esatdi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The Brazilian was abused during the same fixture last season and has been targeting by fans of a number of La Liga clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla. He praised the latter for swiftly ejecting those responsible.
With a formal punishment for racism dished out by UEFA, eyes will be firmly on the behaviour of Barcelona’s travelling support on Sunday when they face Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Catalans were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG on Tuesday, losing 4-1 in the second leg of the tie to end their hopes of a first European title since 2015.