UEFA has banned RC Lens from selling tickets to their travelling fans for their next two away fixtures in the Champions League. The sanction, which includes a deferred third-game ban, follows pyrotechnic chaos during Lens's recent match at Club Brugge.
European football's governing body imposed the ruling on Tuesday. It applies to the away sections for the trip to RB Leipzig on November 24 and the high-profile visit to Anfield to face Liverpool on January 27. UEFA also fined the French club 80,000 euros for lighting and throwing pyrotechnics and for acts of damage.
Financial penalties and precedent
The fine covers incidents from a previous warning issued after similar events during Lens's September trip to face Slavia Prague. UEFA said it has taken a firm stance against the recurring crowd issues involving RC Lens supporters this season.
Other clubs faced sanctions in the same disciplinary session. Slovan Bratislava was banned from selling tickets for their next away game at LASK on November 3 and fined 40,000 euros for crowd disturbance. Red Star Belgrade was fined 83,500 euros and ordered to close a stadium section for their next home European fixture.
Crowd control failures
The immediate trigger was Lens's 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge last week, where the match was briefly stopped due to flare activity. Supporters ignited and threw flares toward the pitch and opposing fans. This season's disciplinary history includes Lens's own internal ban on fans attending a local derby against Lille.
A third away fan ban has been deferred as part of a two-year probationary period for the club. The sanctions highlight UEFA's ongoing crackdown on stadium safety breaches. Leyton Orient continue their League One campaign at home to Cambridge United on Saturday.
Background and full detail: goal.com
