Spanish club Atletico Madrid have been handed a three-match ban by UEFA following troubles at the Estadio Vicente Calderon during their UEFA Champions League encounter against French side Olympique de Marseille earlier this month.
There were racist chants and player abuse at the Calderon by Atleti supporters during the match and after an investigation into the incidents, UEFA decided to impose a 150,000 euro fine and also restrict the third biggest club in Spain from playing three UEFA matches at home.
This implies that Atletico Madrid shall now have to play their home matches against Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven away from the Calderon. The third match ban is suspended for five years.
Explaining the ban, Uefa’s communications director, William Gaillard, explained:
“This shows our renewed determination to show zero tolerance towards racism. We had a great Euro [2008] with outstanding fan behaviour and we want our club games to be played in the same spirit.”
Atletico Madrid though have maintained that they shall appeal against the ban.
