Galatasaray 'Set for UEFA Punishment' Following Incident vs Liverpool in Champions League
Galatasaray could be handed a punishment from UEFA after their fans displayed two pro Palestine banner during their match against Liverpool.
Several of the biggest clubs in Europe are in action across Tuesday night as the second set of 2025/26 Champions League group stage fixtures get underway.
After Real Madrid secured a dominant 5-0 away win over Kazak side FC Kairat, the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all kicked off their second matches of the competition.
Following their dramatic late win over Atletico Madrid in the first round, Arne Slot's side face Turkish giants Galatasaray in a hostile away trip to the Rams Park in Istanbul.
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Although Galatasaray will have been happy to take an early lead in the match, they could face a punishment from UEFA due to banners held up by fans shortly after kick off.
In a display of support for Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Galatasaray fans sitting behind their goal in the first half unfurled several huge banners with clear messages.
One banner read 'Humanity Lost Conscience in Gaza' with another stating ''#LetGazaBabiesLive' while one read 'Palestinian Genocide' and another simply stated 'Free Palestine'.
Under Article 16(2)(e) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, clubs are held responsible if their supporters 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."
This rule applies to banners, flags, chants, or any other display, and could lead to UEFA handing the Turkish club a punishment ranging from fines, partial stadium closures, or even full stadium bans.
In 2023, UEFA decided to fine Scottish club Celtic €17,500 (£15,276) after their supporters waved Palestinian flags at a Champions League match.
However, last year the European governing body decided not to punish Paris Saint-Germain after fans revealed a 50x20-metre 'Free Palestine' tifo before kick-off of their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid at the Parc des Princes in November.
The gesture came just eight days before the French national team played Israel in a Nations League clash in Paris.
"There will ... be no disciplinary case because the banner that was unfurled cannot be in this case considered provocative or insulting," a UEFA spokesperson said in response to calls for PSG to be punished.
UEFA's stance on the banners displayed at the Rams Park on Tuesday night remain unclear.
SPORTbible have reached out to UEFA for comment.
Topics: Galatasaray, UEFA, Liverpool, Champions League, Football, Turkey
Ben McCrum