Barcelona are preparing to raise a formal complaint with UEFA over a provocative banner displayed by Paris Saint-Germain fans before the sides’ Champions League meeting at the Parc des Princes.
According to AS, the Catalan club intends to bring the incident to the attention of UEFA’s match delegate after PSG ultras unveiled a tifo depicting the destruction of Barcelona’s crest.
The display appeared before kick-off on a night when the hosts handed Hansi Flick’s side their first defeat of the season, winning 4-2.
PSG ultras target Barcelona with chainsaw banner
The banner carried the French slogan ‘Massacre à la parisienne’, translated as ‘A Parisian-style massacre’.
Its imagery featured a masked figure reminiscent of the protagonist from the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, holding a chainsaw that appeared to shred the Barcelona crest.
The display was positioned in one of the stands at the Parc des Princes ahead of the third matchday fixture in the Champions League group stage.
Its graphic imagery and explicit targeting of Barcelona’s badge are understood to be the basis of the Catalan club’s decision to alert UEFA.
Rather than treating the incident as ordinary rivalry between two European heavyweights, Barcelona reportedly intend to ensure the governing body is made aware of what was displayed inside the stadium.
Anti-Barcelona chants and flares add to tensions
Notably, the banner was not the only incident involving PSG’s most hardline supporters during the match.
According to the report, ultras repeatedly chanted ‘Puta Barça’ throughout the contest, directing further abuse towards the visiting team.
Flares were also set off after PSG scored their first goal, adding to the atmosphere inside the Parc des Princes.
The combination of the pre-match display, the chants and the pyrotechnics contributed to Barcelona’s concerns about the conduct of sections of the home support.
Barcelona’s plan to contact UEFA’s match delegate could bring the incidents under the governing body’s scrutiny.
However, a report to the delegate does not automatically mean disciplinary proceedings or sanctions will follow, as any further action would depend on UEFA’s assessment of the circumstances.