Atletico Madrid have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a partial stadium closure for their Champions League quarter final second leg vs Manchester City.
On Monday, Atletico were ordered by UEFA to partially close the Wanda Metropolitano by 5000 seats for the visit of City on Wednesday due to the 'discriminatory behaviour of its (Atletico’s) supporters'. Now, the Spanish club have taken action to try and quickly overturn the punishment.
The first leg was played out in a fractious atmosphere, with City frustrated by their visitors’ pragmatic approach. Incidents involving Atletico supporters also led to UEFA opening disciplinary proceedings against the club.
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European football’s governing body announced the decision for its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to look into the matter last Friday. As well as issuing the partial closure of those 5000 seats, which must all be for home supporters, Atletico were also ordered to display a banner displaying the wording '#NoToRacism' during Wednesday’s game. The measures come after the club were charged with discriminatory behaviour and the throwing of objects by supporters during the first leg.
Widespread reports in Spain say Atletico have looked to appeal the decision at CAS, and Diego Simeone was asked about the UEFA decision, and also the incidents in the previous round when Manchester United fans threw objects at him as he left the pitch.
"I did not remember the Old Trafford thing," he said. You are journalists and you can give your opinion better.
"We found out yesterday afternoon. We want our people to be there and hopefully it can be resolved so that it is equal for all.
"I'm not in a position to be the one to decide what's fair. I ran out [at Old Trafford] like always and saw things happen in front of me, luckily nothing hit me, he remained anonymous, we had left him behind."
Midfielder Koke echoed his manager's thoughts that Atletico want a full stadium on Wednesday as he also spoke before the game.
He said: "I can't get into that because I'd get into trouble. I want our people to be there because it's a historic game, then they work within the club so that our people are there."
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