The massive use of pyrotechnics by some supporters has now had repercussions: FC Bayern will have to play its next Champions League home game without some of its fans, while Eintracht Frankfurt has even been banned from welcoming away fans.
Bayern Munich will have to play its Champions League home game against Union Saint-Gilloise on January 21 (9 p.m.) in front of a partially empty fan section. In response to the massive use of pyrotechnics in the home game against Sporting Lisbon on December 9 (3-1), UEFA ordered the closure of blocks 111 to 114 in the lower tier of the south stand. This penalty had already been imposed on Munich on probation after similar incidents last season – now it has been enforced.
Bayern has been spared a complete closure of the south stand for the time being, but UEFA has imposed a two-year suspended sentence, which will come into effect if the fans cause trouble again. In addition, the Munich club must pay a fine of €30,000, plus €16,000 for blocking passageways.
Bayern were also fined €70,000 for the match at Arsenal on November 26 (1-3). In London, Munich fans clashed with security forces who were trying to prevent them from hanging a banner.
SGE without away fans at least once – Reschke announces “adjustments”
Eintracht Frankfurt was also punished. The Hessians will have to play their away game at Qarabag Agdam in Azerbaijan on January 21 (6:45 p.m.) and another international away game without their own fans. In addition, they were fined €38,000. According to the ruling, Eintracht fans set off pyrotechnics, damaged the toilets in the visitors’ area, and threw objects during the game against FC Barcelona on December 9 (1-2). SGE has been in contact with Barca to settle the damages caused by its fans in the away section toilets.
Frankfurt was under observation after an incident at the beginning of the year during the Europa League away game at AS Roma, and UEFA had imposed a two-year suspended sentence. The probation has now been revoked, and a fan ban has been imposed for another international away game. “We have requested the reasons for the judgment and reserve the right to appeal with regard to the additional away game ban,” said Eintracht’s board member, announcing: “However, it is now also clear that after the third penalty of this kind since 2019, things cannot continue like this. We will make significant and targeted adjustments, which we will define in detail very soon.”