Bayern handed partial ground closure

UEFA have ordered the partial closure of the Allianz Arena following the display of controversial banners by Bayern Munich fans.

The signs were displayed by home fans during the second leg of Bayern’s UEFA Champions League tie with Arsenal on March 11, which saw the German outfit progress 3-1 on aggregate.

One crudely made banner depicted a man in an Arsenal away strip bent over in front of a cannon and was emblazoned with the words “Gay Gunners”, while another read “Say no to racism, say yes to Kosovo” in reference to a campaign to have the territory officially recognised by FIFA.

UEFA have now ordered the closure of sector 124 at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester United on April 9.

The Bundesliga leaders have also been fined €10,000 for the incident.

Citing the “discriminatory behaviour of Bayern supporters” and “the displaying of an illicit banner”, a UEFA statement read: “The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to order the partial closure of the Football Arena Munchen.

“In particular, the closure of sector 124 for Bayern’s next UEFA competition home match, namely their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United FC on 9 April.”