Crystal Palace have been fined by UEFA after supporters displayed a banner criticising European football’s governing body during last month’s Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad.
The banner, which read “UEFA MAFIA” across the organisation’s logo alongside a Euro symbol, was unfurled at Selhurst Park during the first leg of Palace’s tie with the Norwegian side.
Similar banners were also spotted at Wembley during the Community Shield against Liverpool and at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The display was a protest against UEFA’s decision to demote Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League earlier this summer under multi-club ownership regulations.
Palace had secured a Europa League place by winning the FA Cup in May, but were ruled ineligible after UEFA determined they were part of the same ownership group as Ligue 1 side Lyon, who also qualified.
Nottingham Forest were handed Palace’s place in the Europa League, angering fans and sparking weeks of protest online and in the stands.
Crystal Palace fans unveiled a similar banner during the club's Community Shield win over Liverpool
|GETTY
UEFA confirmed this week that the south London club have been fined €10,000 (£8,693) for “bringing the governing body into disrepute” and for “transmitting a message that is not fit for a sports event,” citing Articles 11(2)(d) and 16(2)(e) of its disciplinary regulations.
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Palace progressed from the play-off round to qualify for the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
However, the relationship between the club’s supporters and UEFA remains tense.
The ruling will only deepen frustration among the Selhurst Park faithful, many of whom feel they have been unfairly punished despite the club’s compliance with UEFA’s financial and governance rules.