One section of the Allianz Arena will be shut when Manchester United travel to Bayern Munich next month.
UEFA have taken the decision ahead of the Champions League quarter-final after the homophobic banner unfurled by Bayern supporters during the last-16 clash against Arsenal.
The banner featured the words ‘Gay Gunners’ and an animation of midfielder Mesut Ozil in front of the club’s signature cannon.
Section 124 of the stadium runs alongside the touchline, so fans behind the goal, where the more vociferous supporters sit, won’t be affected.
Capacity will be approximately reduced by 700 for the game.
UEFA said in a statement that as a result of ‘Bayern supporters displaying of an illicit banner, the UEFA control and disciplinary body has decided to order the partial closure of the [stadium] in particular, the closure of sector 124 for Bayern’s next UEFA competition home match, namely their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United on April 9.’
The club have also been fined 10,000 euros (£8,359) for the ‘discriminatory behaviour’ over the banner.
Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites to retain their European crown, with this development the first bit of negativity the club have endured for some time.
United face a tall order, but will be buoyed by performances of English rivals in Munich this season.
The German champions have won every single Bundesliga game at home so far this term, but the Gunners left with a draw – although were knocked out of the competition – while Manchester City won 3-2 there in December.
Source: DailyMail