July 18 – Dynamo Kyiv and Partizan Belgrade will play their home and away matches in the second qualifying round in the Champions League without away fans, following an agreement reached by the two clubs and approved by UEFA.
Partizan announced that they have reached this agreement with Dynamo Kyiv due to security concerns. The upcoming matches will be played on July 23 and July 31.
In a statement on its website, Partizan said the decision was made at the request of Dinamo, which is hosting the first match in Lublin, Poland, on account of the war in Ukraine.
Their reason for the request is to avoid any potential clashes between fans, especially after Partizan recently took part in a tournament in Russia.
Partizan already has to serve a one-match ban issued by UEFA last season on the admission of adult fans to home stands. Under the framework of the new agreement between the clubs, the return match between the Belgrade team and Dinamo will be held behind closed doors.
The news was announced via a statement by the Serbian club.
“At the request of FC Dynamo Kyiv, as the host of the first match, which, due to the military circumstances in Ukraine, plays its matches in Poland and the possible incidents between the fans, especially the relationship between the fan groups of the two clubs, and especially after the trip to the Russian Federation for the football tournament, it was decided not to allow the presence of away fans in either of the two matches (in Poland and Serbia). This decision was taken on the recommendation and in coordination with the local authorities in Poland and with the advice and approval of UEFA,” said the statement.
“In accordance with the agreement reached, FC Partizan will not ask for tickets for its fans for the match in Lublin and appeals to its supporters not to travel independently to Poland.
“FC Dynamo Kyiv will adhere to the same agreement and will not have the support of their fans at the match in Belgrade, to which they are entitled even though FC Partizan is under UEFA sanctions.”
Partizan said the agreement was made with safety considerations in mind and that the club “sincerely believes that this agreement is in the best interest of both clubs and that it will be welcomed with understanding by our fans.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1732329209labto1732329209ofdlr1732329209owedi1732329209sni@o1732329209fni1732329209