April 11, (THEWILL) – Due to the discriminatory behaviour of supporters during the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City last week, UEFA has ordered Atletico Madrid to play with a lower fan turnout.
During Atleti’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City, fans were seen on camera appearing to give Nazi salutes.
The Wanda Metropolitano will therefore be partially shuttered on Wednesday for City’s visit. A section of the stadium with at least 5,000 seats must be closed, and the hosts must display a banner with the inscription “#NoToRacism” alongside the UEFA logo.
According to a UEFA statement: “The UEFA Appeals Body has announced the following decision which would affect the attendance of supporters to UEFA matches.
“To order the partial closure of the Club Atletico de Madrid stadium during the next (one) UEFA competition match in which Club Atletico de Madrid would play as the host club, for the discriminatory behaviour of its supporters.
“Club Atletico de Madrid shall inform prior to the match, the sector(s) to be closed, which shall at least comprehend 5,000 seats.
“To order Club Atletico de Madrid to implement the following directive in the next UEFA competition match which the club shall play as the host club: to display a banner with the wording ‘#NoToRacism’ – with the UEFA logo on it.”
Greater Manchester Police had already charged a man with suspected racial insults during Atletico’s last-16 first leg match against Manchester United last month.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
