Fan misconduct: UEFA punishes Bayern and Frankfurt

Because of the misconduct of their fans in the Champions League, FC Bayern and Eintracht Frankfurt are being punished with fan exclusions. According to a decision by the control, ethics and disciplinary body of the European Football Union Uefa, Eintracht must play their next two international away games without their own supporters. For Bayern, part of the south curve will remain closed for the next home game.

The sale of tickets for Frankfurt away fans is excluded for the upcoming game on January 21st at the Azerbaijani club Karabakh Agdam and another international UEFA game. The background is the incidents during the game in the premier class on December 9th at FC Barcelona (1:2). Uefa announced that objects were thrown, fireworks were set off and property was damaged. With regard to the fan exclusions, the probation for which the sentence of February 4, 2025 was suspended in connection with the away game at AS Roma in the Europa League was revoked. In addition, fans were banned from another international away game. The Frankfurters also have to pay a total of 38,000 euros in fines.

“We have applied for the reasons for the judgment and reserve the right to appeal with regard to the additional exclusion from away games,” said Eintracht board member Philipp Reschke in a statement from Frankfurt that evening.

Bayern were held accountable for two incidents. Due to the setting off of fireworks at the home game against Sporting Lisbon (3-1) on December 9th, it was determined: Blocks 111 to 114 in the lower tier of the south curve of the arena must remain closed for the next home game against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on January 21st. This sentence had already been given to the Munich team on probation after similar incidents from the previous season – now it has been carried out.

The Bavarians were spared an entire closure of the south curve for the time being – it was also put on probation here. This means that UEFA could close that part of the arena if the supporters become conspicuous again. According to reports, the Bayern fans’ plan was to consciously accept the ban against Saint-Gilloise so that they could then go into the knockout round without a suspended sentence – this plan would have failed. In addition, the German record champions have to pay 30,000 euros. In addition, there are 16,000 euros because public passages were blocked.

In the second case, which concerns Bayern’s away game at FC Arsenal (1:3) on November 26th, the allegations were: throwing objects, disrupting public order, spreading messages inappropriate for a sporting event (illegal banners). For this, the club has to pay a total of 70,000 euros in fines.