Barcelona have reported Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA over a controversial banner displayed by the French club’s supporters before their Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes, accusing the display of promoting violence and hatred in football.
The banner, unveiled behind one of the goals before Tuesday’s match, depicted a masked figure wearing a PSG shirt using a chainsaw to destroy Barcelona’s crest. Beneath the graphic was the French phrase “Massacre à la parisienne”, meaning “Massacre, Parisian style”.
The disturbing imagery immediately drew attention, with Barcelona expressing strong opposition to the message and questioning its place in a sporting environment.
In a statement to BBC Sport on Wednesday, the Spanish club condemned the display, particularly the image of a blood-covered chainsaw attacking its badge.
Barcelona said the imagery conveyed a message that encouraged violence and hatred, arguing that such displays were incompatible with the principles of respect, fair play and sportsmanship that should define football.
The Catalan club also raised concerns about other banners and offensive chants heard during the encounter, adding to its objections over the conduct of some supporters at the stadium.
According to Reuters, Barcelona reported the banner and the offensive chants to the UEFA match delegate after the game. The complaint could prompt disciplinary scrutiny from European football’s governing body.
UEFA’s disciplinary regulations prohibit provocative messages considered inappropriate for a sporting event. Article 16 provides for disciplinary measures where clubs or their supporters engage in prohibited conduct, although any sanction would depend on the circumstances and the outcome of the relevant disciplinary process.
A first offence involving this type of provocative display can attract a standard fine of €10,000. However, the exact consequences for PSG, if any, will depend on UEFA’s assessment of the incident.
The controversy came on a night when PSG also defeated Barcelona 4-2 in an entertaining Champions League contest, leaving the visitors with their first defeat of the campaign after winning their opening two matches.
Barcelona twice fought back to level the score, with Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal finding the net, but PSG responded through Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz to secure victory.
The banner controversy has now added an off-field dispute to an already eventful meeting between the European heavyweights.
Reuters reported that UEFA had not immediately commented on the complaint, while PSG had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
The incident raises fresh questions about the boundaries between passionate football rivalry and displays that governing bodies may consider provocative or inappropriate. While elaborate tifos are a familiar feature of major European matches, Barcelona’s complaint centres on the violent imagery used against the club’s crest.
UEFA will determine whether the display warrants further action under its disciplinary rules.
For now, Barcelona have made their position clear, insisting that rivalry between clubs should never become a vehicle for messages that promote violence or hatred.
