Barcelona Report PSG To UEFA Over Tifo Allegedly Promoting ‘Violence’

Barcelona have lodged a complaint with UEFA against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) following the display of a controversial tifo that the Spanish club claims promotes violence and hatred in football ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter.

Before kick-off at the Parc des Princes, PSG supporters unveiled a banner behind one of the goals depicting a masked figure wearing a PSG shirt using a chainsaw to destroy Barcelona’s crest.

The display also featured the French phrase “massacre, Parisian style” beneath the image. Other banners containing explicit messages were reportedly displayed during the match, prompting Barcelona to issue a strong condemnation of the supporters’ actions.

The Catalan giants eventually suffered a 4-2 defeat in Paris, ending the night disappointed after winning their opening two matches in the Champions League.

In a statement to BBC Sport, Barcelona expressed their displeasure over the imagery displayed by the home supporters.

“The club strongly condemns the incidents that took place when the tifo was displayed in the stands, including the images of a blood-covered chainsaw attacking the Barca crest.

“These images were deeply disturbing and conveyed a message that incites violence and hatred in sport.

“We consider this kind of imagery and language unacceptable as it goes against the values of respect, fair play and sportsmanship that should be upheld in football.

“We believe that football should be a space for healthy rivalry, mutual respect, and passion for the game, free from messages that promote hatred or violence.”

Barcelona’s complaint could prompt disciplinary action under Article 16 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, which prohibits provocative messages deemed inappropriate for sporting events.

The rules state that the use of gestures, words, objects or other means to communicate such messages can attract sanctions, including a €10,000 (£8,381) fine for a first offence.