FC Barcelona could host Stade Brest at the Estadi Lluís Companys on Tuesday (21:00 CEST) without the members of the cheering group. The board gave the four supporters' groups that are usually located behind one of the goals at Montjuïc a two-week deadline to pay a fine of 21,000 euros corresponding to various sanctions that Barça received last season for infringements committed by its fans in the UEFA Champions League.
According to 'RAC1', the two-week deadline expires on November 26 at midnight, so the almost 600 members of the cheering group would be left out of the match against Brest, corresponding to the fifth round of the new Champions League phase. The fans have reportedly requested a meeting with the club to resolve the conflict, but the board has already given its ultimatum.
Barça wants to put an end to violations in the cheering stands
The fines received by Barça last season were mainly related to the lighting of flares and offensive chants during some matches. These actions led to the opening of proceedings against the club by UEFA, LaLiga and the Generalitat de Catalunya, in addition to violations that reached 21,000 euros.
Therefore, the board wants to set a precedent that puts an end to these violations of the established rules of coexistence, even going so far as to close access to the seats that the involved clubs usually occupy. These include the 'Penya Barcelonista Almogàvers' and the 'Penya Barcelonista Front 532', as well as the 'Penya Barcelonista Nostra Ensenya' and the 'Supporters Barça'.
The fans had already expressed their opposition to the club's stance by arriving several minutes late for the Catalan derby against Espanyol on 3 November (3-1). If they refuse to pay the fine, Barça will welcome Brest with the hottest section of the Montjuïc stands completely empty.