The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has fined Athletic Bilbao €10,000 for multiple violations by the club’s supporters during the UEFA Champions League match against Agdam-based Qarabag (3:1).
According to Idman.Biz, the Spanish club was punished under Article 16(2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which provides for strict liability of clubs for the conduct of their supporters.
In particular, Athletic was sanctioned for the “transmission of a message not fit for a sports event,” including through gestures, words, objects, or any other means of a political, ideological, religious, or offensive nature.
It should be noted that during the match, Athletic supporters displayed a “flag” of the so-called “NKR,” while representatives of Qarabag informed the stadium authorities about provocations occurring in the city both before and during the match.
