Crystal Palace embark on a first taste of the UEFA Conference League against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday.
The Eagles managed to narrowly overcome Fredrikstad in a two-legged playoff thanks to a strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta at Selhurst Park, which secured a ticket into the proper competition.
However, there remains a bitterness towards UEFA after the organisation booted Crystal Palace out of the Europa League.
UEFA have already fined Crystal Palace after fans protested with ‘UEFA Mafia’ banners, and Steve Parish will surely be sweating if he hears any further chanting in Poland on Thursday.
UEFA could close Selhurst Park if Crystal Palace fans continue to protest
UEFA deemed the Eagles to be in breach of Article 16(2)(e) of their Disciplinary Regulations, which holds clubs responsible if fans display “words, objects or any other means to transmit a provocative message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature” during games.
Article 11(2)(d) was also breached as UEFA felt protests were “bringing the governing body into disrepute” – a fine of £8,693 was issued for these offences.
However, Crystal Palace fans have chanted against UEFA and displayed banners in several games so far this season, and we doubt the fine will do anything to change that – although persistent protests against UEFA could lead to the organisation closing Selhurst Park for a European fixture this term.
In the event of reoffending, UEFA have the power to either partially close Selhurst Park for a Conference League clash, or even order a full stadium ban – threats Rangers have faced over the years in Glasgow too.
UEFA could also slap Crystal Palace – set to be refereed by Lothar D’Hondt on Thursday – with heavier fines as well, so for a multitude of reasons, Parish will presumably want fans to put the matter to one side and stop the protests.
Manchester City fans experienced this problem in 2014
Like Crystal Palace fans, Manchester City have a grudge against UEFA after the organisation tried to kick the Citizens out of the UEFA Champions League in February 2020 for two seasons due to financial breaches – before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) stepped in.
Strangely, UEFA tried to stop Manchester City fans from attending an away match against Dynamo Kyiv – our opponents on Thursday – as the Ukrainian giants had a stadium closure imposed on them for three games during the 2015/16 campaign.
That was despite the fact Manchester City supporters had done nothing wrong, and most had also already made travel arrangements for a game they were then told to stay away from.
They were later allowed to attend following an appeal, but it just goes to show UEFA have a history of causing problems.
