Manchester City fans could be allowed into Champions League match with Dynamo Kyiv after all
Manchester City fans may be able to go to the Champions League clash at Dynamo Kyiv after all, with Uefa hearing an appeal against the stadium closure next week.
Reports in Ukraine are already confidently claiming the two-match stadium closure will be chopped to one – and they have already played in front of empty stands in their final group game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Uefa have knocked back claims in Kyiv that they have already indicated the ban – imposed after black supporters were beaten up in the stadium during a game against Chelsea in October – will be halved.
But Dynamo have a hearing on Tuesday at which they will present evidence of their bid to tackle their problems with racism and violence.
They will also point out that one of the guilty fans has already been given a suspended prison sentence.
The first leg of the last 16 tie will take place in Kyiv on February 24, with the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 15.
City fans who regularly travel into Europe are angry that they are also banned from the game, for doing nothing wrong, especially as they were affected by a similar ban on CSKA Moscow last season.
That CSKA stadium closure was the first of a three-match punishment, but on appeal the Moscow side had it cut to two games.
So there is precedent for reducing stadium closures if a club can show it is taking steps to tackle their problems.
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Reports in Ukraine suggest City have also backed Dynamo’s bid to lift the closure, but the Blues have not confirmed that.
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