NYON, Switzerland (AP) -UEFA ordered Atletico Madrid on Tuesday to play its next two home Champions League games at a neutral venue because of violent and racist behavior by the club's fans during a recent match against Marseille.
The Spanish club was also fined $204,600.
"There were monkey chants against the nonwhite players throughout the game and there was also a problem with handicapped supporters who bought tickets and were not provided with adequate viewing," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told Britain's Sky Sports News.
"There were really a number of serious problems."
Gaillard added that black journalists were also insulted by fans who broke into the press area.
"All these offenses amount to a tremendous disregard for our respect policy," he said, adding that UEFA enforces "zero tolerance for violent and racist behavior."
Atletico will have to play its matches against Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven on Oct. 22 and Nov. 26 at a venue at least 186 miles from Madrid, UEFA said.
European football's governing body said it will impose a third home-match ban if there is a repeat in the next five years of the crowd trouble seen at Atletico's 2-1 Champions League victory over Marseille earlier this month.
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre was banned from joining his team for the home and away matches against Liverpool because of improper conduct during the game. He allegedly insulted Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena.
Aguirre will be banned from the sidelines, the tunnel and the dressing room, and is forbidden from communicating with his team during those two games.
Atletico said it would appeal, and has until Friday to do so.
Liverpool said the timing of the venue change penalizes its own fans.
"To say the decision is a bit late in the day, is to put it mildly," chief executive Rick Parry said. "We have 3,000 fans going to the game and we are extremely concerned for our supporters, the vast majority of whom have already made travel arrangements."
