UEFA Champions League: Barça’s tight security tested by Frankfurt fan incidents
A chapter of recent history added tension to FC Barcelona’s 2-1 Champions’ League group stage victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday. The match was a replay of a notorious 2022 Europa League quarter-final, where an unauthorized influx of 30,000 Frankfurt fans contributed to the German side’s win at Camp Nou.
Determined to prevent a repeat, Barcelona implemented stringent measures, including an initial ban on away fans and ticket sales exclusively to verified club members.
Despite these efforts, UEFA regulations required the allocation of approximately 2,300 tickets to Frankfurt supporters.
German media confirmed around 2,500 fans traveled, but their section became a source of major disruption.
Spanish outlets reported “inadmissible” behavior, including the throwing of cups, bottles, and flares onto Barcelona fans below, offensive chants, and damage to safety barriers.
Security intervened tardily, and several Frankfurt supporters who infiltrated home zones were ejected.
While Barcelona’s the strict controls of prevented a large-scale stadium takeover, the match was marred by familiar security challenges, underscoring the lingering friction between the clubs’ fan bases.
