Barcelona has been fined €25,000 ($26,600) by UEFA for incidents of Nazi salutes and racist gestures displayed by fans during a recent Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. The disciplinary action was taken following the circulation of images showing misconduct by some supporters at Parc des Princes on April 10.
UEFA has officially charged Barcelona with 'racist behavior' and has imposed additional sanctions on the club. In addition to the fine, Barcelona has been subjected to a one-game ban on selling tickets to their fans for an away fixture in the Champions League next season. This ban will be in effect for a probationary period of one year.
Furthermore, Barcelona has been instructed to compensate PSG for damages caused to seats by their fans during the match. The club is also required to pay supplementary fines amounting to €7,000 ($7,500) as part of the disciplinary measures imposed by UEFA.
Despite winning the first leg of the quarterfinals 3-2 in Paris, Barcelona faced elimination from the competition after suffering a 4-1 defeat in the home leg. The club's exit from the Champions League marked the end of their campaign in the tournament.
Meanwhile, on a broader scale, FIFA is gearing up to launch a new initiative against racism next month at its annual congress meeting. The global football governing body is set to address the issue of racism in the sport and implement strategies to combat discriminatory behavior among players, officials, and fans.
