Aston Villa face threat of fan ban after Uefa sanction for 'discriminatory banner'
The club was charged following the Europa League final.
Villa have been fined and given a suspended ban on selling tickets to a European away match after supporters displayed a “discriminatory banner” during the Europa League final.
The sanction was announced by Uefa on Wednesday following a decision by its control, ethics and disciplinary board (CEDB).
It came after the club was charged with racist and/or discriminatory behaviour (discriminatory banner) following last month’s final in Istanbul.
The banner in question is believed to have referred to the travelling community and was displayed in the Tupras Stadium during the match.
Villa have been fined £8,625 in addition to the ticket sale ban, which is suspended for the next two seasons. It can be triggered if there are any repeat offences by the club during that period.
The CEDB statement explained: “Disciplinary measures under a probationary period are not immediately effective but may be enforced if “a further offence of a similar nature is committed during the probationary period”.
Villa beat German club Freiburg 3-0 in the final to lift their second European trophy thanks to goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers.
Unai Emery’s team, who have been backed in huge numbers in Europe over the past three years, will play in the Champions League next season.
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