flag
back Back
Lens fans banned from Anfield for Champions League clash with Liverpool after flares chaos

Liverpool are due to play Lens in the Champions League in January

The flares caused play to be halted last week
The flares caused play to be halted last week (AP)

Lens supporters have been banned from attending a Champions League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield after Uefa's appeals judges barred the French club from selling them tickets for away games in the competition.

The ban will be served when Lens travel to Leipzig on 24 November and to Liverpool at Anfield on 27 January, with a third game ban deferred for a two-year probationary period.

The ruling on Tuesday came after Lens fans lit dozens of flares and threw some toward rival supporters and the field during the team's Champions League game at Club Brugge last week, forcing the match to be stopped briefly.

Lens went on to lose the match 3-0, and they are currently 27th in the league phase table after taking three points from three matches so far.

Lens fans have been banned from attending two Champions League away matches
Lens fans have been banned from attending two Champions League away matches (AP)

The club was already on probation by Uefa for fans lighting flares and fireworks at a previous Champions League game at Slavia Prague in September.

Uefa said Lens have been fined 80,000 euros (£67,000) for charges of “lighting and throwing of pyrotechnics as well as for acts of damage.”

The ticket ban covers two Champions League away games, Uefa confirmed.

The ruling means Liverpool will play January’s match with only their own fans inside the stadium as they aim to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

Andoni Iraola’s men have taken maximum points from their opening three fixtures and are third in the Champions League standings behind PSG and Aston Villa.

The Reds have also found form in the Premier League, having only lost one of their first eight matches in England’s top-flight this season.

A 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday lifted Liverpool into fourth place, just a point behind the Seagulls and six adrift of Manchester City and Arsenal.

Liverpool are due to return to Champions League action next week when they face Turkish side Fenerbahce away from home. This follows a Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea on Wednesday before a mouthwatering league match against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

Their final game before the November international break will be a trip to Crystal Palace on 8 November.

You may like

Chelsea XI vs Manchester United: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Prem...

standard.co.uk 2 hours ago

The hidden problems exposed by Man City’s defeat that could spell disaster

aol.com 3 days ago

Why is there only one game in the Premier League on Sunday?

fourfourtwo.com 2 hours ago

11 years, nine trophies: Peter Magambo bids KCCA farewell

kawowo.com 1 hour ago

Transfer: They did unforgivable things - Scholes names two Man Utd players he'd sell

dailypost.ng 1 day ago

5 Bundesliga stars who flopped in the Premier League

bulinews.com 1 week ago

Man Utd 'in talks' over surprise Man City transfer with player keen to join Red Devils

express.co.uk 5 hours ago

Man Utd players 'refused to pass' to team-mate as INEOS accused of transfer mistake

express.co.uk 4 hours ago