Barcelona have reported Paris St-Germain to Uefa after a tifo featuring a message they say "incites violence and hatred in sport" was displayed ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match. Before kick-off at Parc des Princes, PSG fans behind one of the goals unveiled a banner showing a masked figure in a PSG shirt destroying the Barcelona badge with a chainsaw. Beneath the image, in French, were the words "massacre, Parisian style".
Banners featuring explicit messages were also on display during the match, and Barcelona "strongly" condemned the actions of PSG's supporters. Barcelona lost 4-2 in the French capital after winning their opening two Champions League matches.
In a statement to BBC Sport, Barcelona said: "The club strongly condemns the incidents that took place when the tifo was displayed in the stands, including the images of a blood-covered chainsaw attacking the Barca crest. These images were deeply disturbing and conveyed a message that incites violence and hatred in sport." The club added that such imagery and language are unacceptable because they go against the values of respect, fair play and sportsmanship that should be upheld in football.
Barcelona also said football should be a space for healthy rivalry, mutual respect and passion for the game, free from messages that promote hatred or violence.
Under article 16 of Uefa's disciplinary regulations, the use of gestures, words, objects or other means to transmit a provocative message unfit for a sports event can result in sanctions, including a fine of 10,000 euros (£8,381) for a first offence. BBC Sport has contacted Uefa and PSG for comment.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing