UEFA getting the big stick out

[SaddVillan]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7390585/2026/06/24/aston-villa-europa-league-final-banner/?unlocked_article_code=1.slA.ymrl.WTtXpxyPs8Hf&smid=ta-android-share

1 What was on the banner?
2 Are they 100% certain it was displayed by Villans?
3 The punishment:  "ban on selling tickets to away fans".

Does that mean we wouldn't be allowed to sell tickets to travelling Villans, or opposition fans coming to B6 6HE?

[PeterWithesShin]

Aston Villa have been fined €10,000 (£8,625; $11,359) and handed a suspended one-match ban on selling tickets to away fans by UEFA after supporters displayed a “discriminatory banner” during the Europa League final against Freiburg.

The ban, which would have applied to their first Champions League away game of the 2026-27 season, is suspended for a probationary period of two years.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, announced on Wednesday that its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) had reached the decision.

A UEFA source, speaking anonymously as they weren’t authorised to do so publicly, told The Athletic the banner in question referenced the traveller community.

UEFA rules dictate that “the match organiser, together with the police commander for the match and the safety and security officer, must prevent any provocative action being taken by spectators inside or in the immediate vicinity of the stadium (unacceptable levels of verbal provocation from spectators towards players or opposing fans, racist behaviour, provocative banners or flags, etc.).

“Should such action arise, the match organiser, the police commander for the match and the safety and security officer must intervene over the public address system or remove any offensive material.”

[Villan For Life]

This is being discussed across a few threads however this one seems to be the logical one to post in.

So the match organiser, the police commander for the match and the safety & security officer for the match have detailed knowledge of the UK traveller community? That’s laughable & it’s reflected in the punishment.

[Dogtanian]

I thought they were really strict on banners at the final. How did this get through?

[ajmant]

It’s embarrassing and sad really. Those responsible should be banned. Simple.

[Somniloquism]

I thought they were really strict on banners at the final. How did this get through?

Maybe the stadium people didn't know the meaning of it, or were more happy to show it.

[Brend'Watkins]

Go on then, what did the banner say?

[johnc]

I cant even begin to imagine.