UEFA have fined Manchester United £5,460 after the club’s fans threw objects during the away leg of their Europa League tie against Barcelona last month.
United drew 2-2 with Barca at the Camp Nou on February 16 in a magnificent performance which set up their progression to the last 16 where they will face Real Betis on Thursday. Marcus Rashford inspired Erik ten Hag’s side with a goal and an assist for Jules Kounde’s own goal as Marcos Alonso and Raphinha netted for Barca.
They then won the second leg 2-1 at Old Trafford to seal a place in the next round. There were 90,225 supporters inside Barcelona’s iconic stadium for the first leg – and not all of them behaved themselves.
European football’s governing body have slapped United with a €6,125 (£5,460) fine after supporters were caught on camera throwing objects from the away end. United received an allocation of 4,200 tickets for seats high up in the third tier of the Camp Nou for the game, which Barca considered a “high risk” fixture.
United’s fans have been treated to some impressive performances this season, with their 7-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool on the weekend a notable exception. After seeing off Barca in the second leg at Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes paid tribute to the club’s supporters.
“They have been with us in the toughest moments, this season we have been really good. They are always behind us,” he told BT Sport. “This is something different. Between them and us we have something special. They see that we are doing all we can to win games for them.
“Old Trafford was bouncing, that’s why we get results. Straight after the second half starts you knew we would get results.”
UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body met on March 1 to dish out fines to clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. United were not the only side to be hit with a financial penalty.
AC Milan have been fined €19,000 (£16,929) for their supporters blocking public passageways and lighting fireworks around their 1-0 win over Tottenham on February 14. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund were hit with a €10,000 (£8,908) fine for a delayed kick-off in their 1-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg of their tie on February 15, while manager Edin Terzic and the team were warned for their conduct.
The biggest fine went to Benfica, whose fans’ use of fireworks at their away leg against Club Brugge cost them €25,000 (£22,726).
