Atlético Madrid win CAS appeal over UEFA order for partial stadium closure

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Wednesday it has suspended UEFA’s ruling for the partial closure of Atlético Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City.

On Monday, UEFA had ordered Atlético to ensure at least 5,000 seats in the home section of the Wanda Metropolitano would not be filled after the Spanish side were charged due to their travelling fans’ “discriminatory behaviour” and throwing of objects during the first leg at the Etihad. Atlético appealed to CAS and the court suspended the order “considering the serious repercussions to local security if the partial stadium closure had to be enforced at this late stage,” it said in a statement.

Atleti trail by one goal

All fans with tickets for the second leg, which will be played later on Wednesday, will be allowed to attend, Atlético said. UEFA had also ordered Atlético to display a banner with the wording ‘#NoToRacism’ and the governing body’s logo on it. Pep Guardiola’s City won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a Kevin de Bruyne goal. The winner of the tie will progress to the semi-finals and meet Real Madrid, who beat Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate on Tuesday.