Barcelona has reported Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA over a banner displayed before Tuesday's Champions League match, BBC reports. The Catalan club believes the banner "incites violence and hatred in sport".
PSG fans behind one of the goals at the Parc des Princes unfurled a flag before the start of the match. It depicted a masked figure in a PSG kit destroying the Barcelona crest with a chainsaw. Below the image, the words "massacre, Paris style" were written in French. According to Barcelona, a blood-covered chainsaw was also shown attacking the Catalan crest.
Barcelona "strongly" condemned the actions of PSG fans. The club stated that the images were extremely disturbing and conveyed a message that incites violence and hatred in sport. They also highlighted that other banners with explicit messages were displayed during the match.
Barcelona emphasised that such iconography and language are unacceptable as they contradict the values of respect, fair play and sportsmanship. They added that football should be a space for healthy rivalry, mutual respect and passion for the game, without messages that promote hatred or violence.
Under Article 16 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations, "the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to convey a provocative message that is not appropriate to a sporting event" can result in disciplinary measures. A first offence can lead to a fine of 10,000 euros.
The match ended in a 4-2 victory for PSG. It was Barcelona's first defeat in this season's competition, after winning their first two Champions League matches. BBC Sport contacted UEFA and PSG for comment.
