Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Roma fans unite against UEFA

Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Roma supporters have initiated a protest campaign against the decision to punish CSKA Moscow with stadium closures, with one fan group warning: "European club competitions without UEFA certainly are a possibility."

Supporters of the three clubs, who were drawn in Champions League Group E along with the Russian team, hit out at UEFA for adopting sanctions that also penalised travelling fans.

UEFA had hit CSKA with a three-match stadium closure as a result of their fans' racist chanting and violent behaviour during their game away at Roma in September. The sanction was later reduced on appeal, but Bayern and City followers were unable to attend their group games at the 18,000-capacity Arena Khimki.

CSKA were also prohibited from selling tickets for their away games at City -- which they won 2-1 on Wednesday night -- and at Bayern in December.

Despite the stadium closure, supporters of both Bayern and City had travelled to Moscow. Some 70 fans from Bavaria had been unaware of an older UEFA sanction demanding a full stadium closure, while City fans were hit with the news of the new ban after having booked their flights to the Russian capital.

A number of Bayern fans made the headlines for renting out an office in a nearby office tower overlooking the Arena Khimki -- with the club later reimbursing them -- and a handful of Manchester City fans made it into the stadium despite the ban.

City captain Vincent Kompany, though, expressed frustration that there appeared to be several hundred CSKA fans present for his side's 2-2 draw in Moscow. UEFA decided not to take any action.

City and Bayern supporters have already voiced their anger over the situation and, along with Roma fans, have now launched the "Respect ... Fans" campaign.

City supporters turned their backs on the Champions League anthem prior to their team's home defeat to CSKA on Wednesday while, during Bayern's 2-0 win over Roma at the Allianz Arena, fans from both clubs displayed flags bearing the campaign slogan.

Bayern fan association Club Nr.12 said in a press release published on Facebook: "In none of these cases are fans of the visiting team guilty of any misconduct. Nevertheless, they are subject to the sanctions imposed by UEFA."

Club Nr.12 repeated its earlier claim that it had sought talks with UEFA but the governing body "declined any discussion with the affected fans," and added: "Many organised fans in Europe can no longer accept the dismissive behaviour exhibited by UEFA."

The group said UEFA is taking "the vocal and colourful support of the fans for granted," using that to sell its "product" while "blatantly neglecting" the interest of those supporters.

The statement continued: "To the initiators of 'RESPECT ... FANS!' it is of particular concern to emphasise their explicit support of the quest against violence and discriminatory behaviour. Punishing a majority of innocent fans in order to sanction the misbehaviour of a minority, however, does not strike us as a helpful measure.

"Improving the current situation will require an effort along with -- not in opposition to -- the majority of organised fans. UEFA's refusal to enter into discussion is the most counterproductive of all options.

"We urgently call upon UEFA to reconsider their attitude towards organised fans. It is difficult to imagine top-level football in Europe without fans but, in the long run, European club competitions without UEFA certainly are a possibility."

^ Back to Top ^