UEFA have ordered a partial closure of Atletico Madrid’s stadium for Manchester City’s visit in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The Blues travel to the Spanish capital this week to conclude their last-eight meeting with the La Liga champions. Pep Guardiola’s side are 1-0 up from the first leg at the Etihad thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half goal.
The first leg was played out in a fractious atmosphere, with City frustrated by their visitors’ pragmatic approach. Incidents involving Atletico supporters also led to UEFA opening disciplinary proceedings against the club.
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European football’s governing body announced the decision for its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to look into the matter last Friday. On Monday, UEFA confirmed Atletico had been punished, with a partial closure of the Wanda Metropolitano enforced ahead of their meeting with City.
A section of the club’s ground will now be closed off for Wednesday’s return leg, with Atletico ordered to give up at least 5,000 of its seats. A statement from UEFA said the action had been ordered due to the 'discriminatory behaviour of its (Atletico’s) supporters'.
Atletico have also been ordered to display a banner displaying the wording '#NoToRacism' during Wednesday’s game. The measures come after the Spanish club were charged with discriminatory behaviour and the throwing of objects by supporters during the first leg.
City will be aiming to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League when they head to the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday evening. They will find out their potential opponents for the last-four the night prior, with Chelsea aiming to overturn their 3-1 deficit against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
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