Anyone who watched Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-final first leg clash against Arsenal last week will have noticed there were no Bayern fans at the Emirates Stadium. Prohibited from attending the game by UEFA, the Emirates was entirely full of Arsenal fans.
Fast forward to tonight, and Bayern ultras appear determined to make up for it, making full use of the second leg at the Allianz Arena to show off a huge pyro display. At the forefront of the Südkurve, there was also a message for UEFA, and perhaps the Arsenal fans as well – “We don't like you either. Exclude UEFA! Get out of our stadium!”
Why were Bayern fans banned from the first leg at the Emirates?
Fans of the German side were prohibited from attending the first leg because of an incident in the previous round against Lazio. Bayern supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch, which violates UEFA’s regulations.
In response to UEFA’s decision, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dressen accepted the ruling. He said: “We have to accept this punishment. Not only were pyrotechnics set off, but also fired deliberately onto the field, directly endangering bystanders.”
“This was such an explicit violation of the conditions of probation that an appeal is unfortunately futile.”
“The fact we now have to play away without the support of our fans is a big blow. A small group of individual offenders have done a disservice to all our supporters and the team.”
This was not even the first time Bayern fans have broken UEFA rules this season. In October, fans of the German side set off fireworks in their away game at Copenhagen, resulting in a fine of €40,000 and another ban on away supporters.
Photos and videos of the Bayern Munich pyro at the Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich’s ultra groups start the crucial Champions League home game vs. Arsenal with a pyro show across the whole Südkurve.pic.twitter.com/E1JB2is0mz
— Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) April 17, 2024
“Kami juga tidak menyukai Anda. Usir UEFA. Keluar dari stadion kami!”
Kelompok ultras Bayern membuat pyro show dan mengirimkan pesan ke UEFA lewat banner di tribun. Ini merupakan buntut dari pelarangan kedatangan away fans Bayern di leg pertama menghadapi Arsenal.
Via… pic.twitter.com/Rkp6T6c5v4
— Spieltag Indonesia (@SpieltagIndo) April 17, 2024
Pyro-Feuerwerk: Bayern-Fans heizen vor Arsenal-Duell ordentlich ein! #FCBARS #UCL pic.twitter.com/wnA0Xq6LUy
— FCBinside (@fcbinside_de) April 17, 2024
Bayern Munich ultras showing just what effect their away leg ban for the use of pyrotechnics has had.
— Matt Ford (@matt_4d) April 17, 2024