Galatasaray penalised by UEFA for fan misconduct at Old Trafford

Uefa has penalized Galatasaray for the behavior of their fans in the Champions League victory at Manchester United earlier this month.

Introduction

Turkish football champions Galatasaray, have been hit with a financial penalty by UEFA, totaling 51,000 euros (£44,420), following an incident where approximately 2,000 of their fans managed to access the home sections of Old Trafford during a match.

Financial Penalty and Damage Costs

Apart from the monetary fine, Galatasaray is also held responsible for covering the costs incurred due to the damage caused by their fans within the stadium. 

This financial repercussion comes as a response to a security breach that had a significant impact on the match.

Official Ticket Take-Up vs. Number of Fans

It’s noteworthy that the official ticket allocation for Galatasaray fans for this specific game was only 2,200, highlighting the scale of the breach and unauthorized entry into home sections by a much larger group of supporters.

UEFA’s Punitive Measures

In addition to the financial penalties, UEFA has imposed a one-game ban on Galatasaray, albeit suspended for two years. 

This ban restricts the club from selling tickets to their fans for an away game. 

The decision is a result of a combination of incidents that occurred during the match, including fans throwing objects, setting off fireworks, causing damage, and contributing to general crowd disturbances.

Conclusion

Galatasaray’s fans’ misconduct at Old Trafford has led to significant punitive measures by UEFA. 

The financial penalties and the ban on selling away game tickets serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum and order during football matches, ensuring the safety of all fans and the integrity of the sport.