Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett sharply criticizes UEFA for its lenient punishment of Atletico Madrid, calling for a season-long ban for fan misconduct during their Champions League clash with Arsenal.
According to a report from Football Insider, Keith Hackett has strongly criticised the disciplinary action imposed by UEFA on Atlético Madrid following incidents during their October match against Arsenal.
In that game, Arsenal beat Atlético 4-0, while a section of traveling Atlético supporters were found to have engaged in racist and discriminatory behaviour — including monkey chants and Nazi salutes — plus throwing objects onto the pitch.
UEFA punished the club with a fine of approximately £26,300 and imposed a suspended one-match away ticket ban, subject to a one-year probation.
But Hackett told Football Insider the punishment is far too mild. “The fine and one game ban is frankly not going to act as a deterrent,” he said. “I do think that UEFA are not dealing with these incidents in a strong enough way.”
He added that “the fine should be a six-figure sum with a season-long ban for their travelling supporters.”
Hackett argued that only a severe, season-long ban — one that affects the club and its fans — would deliver a lasting deterrent and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
He warned that minimal sanctions risk undermining years of efforts by UEFA and others to eliminate racism and discriminatory behaviour from the