Barca away fans banned for next European game due to Nazi banner

Barcelona has been banned from selling tickets to supporters for the next away game in the Champions League due to a fan banner which made a Nazi reference.

The club must also pay a fine of €10,000 ($11.164), European football governing body UEFA said on Friday, adding it was due to "the racist behaviour" of supporters.

The ticket ban comes into force for the match at Red Star Belgrade on November 6.

The banner was displayed in the away block during the 2-1 defeat at Monaco last Thursday. It read ‘Flick heil’ in reference to ex-Germany coach Hansi Flick now being in charge of Barcelona.

The slogan ‘Sieg heil’ was a common Nazi greeting before and during World War II.

In its announcement, UEFA referred to another incident from last season where the Hitler salute was shown. The repeat offence meant a suspended sentence was lifted and the ban imposed.

A second game without away fans will be triggered if another offence is committed in the next year.

Barcelona had recently emphasised that they reject any kind of glorification of the far right.