Barcelona complain to UEFA over PSG chainsaw tifo after 4-2 defeat

The match

Paris Saint-Germain beat FC Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday, 20 October, in the third matchday of the Champions League league phase at the Parc des Princes. Barcelona had won their opening two matches and dropped to fifth after three. Désiré Doué scored PSG's first goal of the match before being replaced in the 78th minute, and Lamine Yamal equalised for Barcelona in the 79th. Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz then scored in the closing stages to settle the result. PSG have now scored 14 times in three Champions League matches, eight of them in the week that included Manchester City and Barcelona.

The win came with injury worries. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia left the pitch injured and faces months out with a cruciate ligament problem in his knee. Ousmane Dembélé also went off injured, and captain Marquinhos is expected to be out for weeks with thigh injuries.

The tifo and Barcelona's complaint

Before kick-off, PSG supporters unveiled a tifo behind one goal showing a masked figure in a PSG shirt destroying the Barcelona crest with a bloodied chainsaw. Beneath it were the words 'massacre, Parisian style'. Banners reading 'PUTA BARCA' were also displayed during the match. Barcelona lodged a complaint with UEFA, asked the match delegate to record everything, and condemned offensive chants from the home supporters. In its statement, the club said:

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

According to L'Équipe, as cited by La Vanguardia, PSG did not consider the tifo excessive. About ten days earlier, at PSG-Le Mans, the club had ordered removal of a banner that read 'Your militias repress, our youth resists', a reference to social conflict in France.

Possible sanctions

Article 16 of UEFA's disciplinary regulations makes clubs answerable for provocative messages from their supporters that are unfit for a sports event. The BBC cites a fine of 10,000 euros for a first offence, and the New York Times cites the same figure. Fanpage reports that UEFA is waiting for the match delegate's report before deciding whether to open proceedings. Repeat offences can bring heavier penalties, up to closing part of a stand. PSG and UEFA were approached for comment.

Wider context

The match was played against a backdrop of nationwide riots in France on Saturday, 17 October, with night curfews in place across parts of Paris. Watson.ch notes that Luis Enrique has rotated his squad heavily, making eight changes before the Manchester City match. Three outfield players who started the 3-1 win at Strasbourg also started against Barcelona. Since the 2012/13 season, PSG have won 12 of the 14 national titles.

Coach reaction

Hansi Flick said his side had made too many mistakes in possession and through easy turnovers, while praising the team's mentality. He rejected calling the performance negative and stressed the long season ahead, saying:

We have to learn from this match, and in October titles are not won. Titles, especially the Champions League, are won in June.