Laporta apologises to Barça fans for huge Frankfurt presence at Camp Nou
Barcelona fans protested against the entry of the large German contingent for the first 10 minutes of the second half of the Europa League clash.
After Barcelona were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday, club president Joan Laporta sent a message to the club’s supporters following the presence of thousands of Eintracht Frankfurt fans at Camp Nou.
An estimated 20,000 Eintracht Frankfurt fans witnessed their club’s historic 3-2 win over Barça at Camp Nou.
For the quarter-final second leg in Barcelona, the LaLiga club gave 5,000 tickets to Eintracht as per UEFA regulations.
Barcelona president Laporta has since apologised for the situation, adding that there will not be a repeat.
“What has happened in the stands is a shame that cannot be repeated, we must process information and we have to take action, but it is unfortunate,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo.
“We will have to be stricter and not allow certain things, I feel ashamed as a Barcelona fan. I feel embarrassed with what I saw in the stands, I apologise.
“It was very serious. We are processing all the information, and we will give explanations. What happened today is not usual and should not have happened.”
Fans protest at Camp Nou
Barcelona fans behind the goal protested against the entry of the large German contingent for the first 10 minutes of the second half of the Europa League clash.
Fighting broke out between both sets of supporters in the stadium during the game, with the large number of away fans mixed in with home fans.
Laporta’s advisor at Barcelona, Enric Masip, showed his anger online post-match.
“Everyone has the right to sell their tickets but the reality is that seeing a Camp Nou with so many opposition fans is very, very bad,” he wrote on Twitter.
Barça, who were 14 games unbeaten before Thursday night’s match, are second in LaLiga, 12 points behind rivals Real Madrid, and face lowly Cádiz at home on Monday.