By Andrew Warshaw
March 13- Despite their supremacy on the field, European champions Bayern Munich are in trouble off it – and not only regarding the tax evasion trial of club president Uli Hoeness.
Uefa have opened disciplinary proceedings against Bayern after its fans unfurled a couple of discriminatory and political banners during Tuesday’s Champions League match against Arsenal.
The banner Uefa appeared initially to take objection to related to Kosovo, which recently played its first Fifa-sanctioned international friendly, against Haiti.
But Bayern may also find themselves punished over another symbol – directed at Arsenal — following a report from Football Against Racism in Europe.
The case, which will be heard March 20, involves alleged “discriminatory behaviour of their supporters” and “display of an illicit banner,” UEFA said in a statement.
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia six years ago, is not a member of FIFA or UEFA but is allowed to play friendlies against other nations provided no national symbols, including flags, are displayed or anthems played.
One banner had the slogan “Say No To Racism, Say Yes To Kosovo” but it was the other one that will be deemed far more offensive. It displayed the homophobic phrase “Gay Gunners,” alongside a cartoon image of Arsenal’s record signing, German international midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Uefa has cracked down hard this season on discriminatory abuse. Any sanction could apply at Bayern’s home match in the Champions League quarterfinals though it is more likely the club will be heavily fined since the infraction represented their first offence.