UEFA have barred Galatasaray from taking supporters to Anfield for next week’s Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool after punishing the Turkish club for crowd trouble in Turin.
European football’s governing body confirmed the sanction following incidents during Galatasaray‘s 3-2 defeat to Juventus on February 25.
Flares and fireworks were set off in the away section at the Allianz Stadium, while objects were also thrown.
UEFA’s Appeals Body has ordered that Galatasaray cannot sell tickets to their fans for one away fixture and imposed a €40,000 fine. That fixture will now be the trip to Merseyside.
Galatasaray have, however, announced they intend to challenge the sanction.
Trouble had flared even before kick-off in Italy, with local reports stating that travelling supporters clashed with Juventus fans and police outside the ground, while a father and daughter required hospital checks after being struck by a firecracker launched from the away end.
Despite the chaos, the tie itself swung in Galatasaray’s favour over two legs. Although they were beaten on the night by ten-man Juventus, Okan Buruk’s side advanced to the knockout stages 7-5 on aggregate.
The first leg against Liverpool takes place in Istanbul on March 10, with the return at Anfield eight days later, without the usual travelling support in the away end.
Galatasaray’s travelling supporters have long been known for their intensity, particularly under the lights, and the absence of visiting fans will no doubt alter the temperament of a European night at Anfield.
