March 8 – UEFA have charged Paris St- Germain and Basel following their fans’ behaviour during their respective Champions League last-16 matches this week.
PSG have been charged on four counts by European’s football governing body over the use of fireworks and a laser pointer during their defeat to defending champions Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The game in Paris had to be stopped momentarily on two separate occasions in the second-half. Smoke swept across the field of play affecting the visibility of players and match officials after fans in the home area set off flares behind the goal.
A statement by UEFA said the runaway Ligue 1 leaders had been charged for “insufficient organisation” which also included blocked stairways.
Swiss champions Basel had their second-leg victory over Manchester City overshadowed on Wednesday after being charged for their fans’ use of fireworks in the visitors’ section at the Etihad stadium.
The regulations state that a club will be fined 500 euros for every flare set off during a match for first-time offenders, increasing to 750 euros for repeated offences.
PSG have previously been investigated by UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, both following the world record signing of Neymar last summer and surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s move to Paris.
The UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body will deal with both clubs’ cases on March 22.
Contact the writer of this story, Patrick Kelly-Burton, at moc.l1731659021labto1731659021ofdlr1731659021owedi1731659021sni@o1731659021fni1731659021