In Dortmund, where the first Champions League night of the new league phase brought Villarreal within touching distance of a notable result, Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 win over Iñigo Pérez’s side has now carried a disciplinary cost beyond the scoreline.
The Spanish visitors were beaten at Signal Iduna Park on 8 September despite a strong performance in Germany, but UEFA has imposed a €34,500 fine on Dortmund following incidents involving their supporters during the match.
The sanction relates to the throwing of flares or other objects inside the stadium. UEFA’s disciplinary rulings covering qualifying ties in its three club competitions, along with the opening league-phase fixtures in the Champions League and Europa League, confirmed the financial punishment for the Bundesliga club.
UEFA safety rules applied in Dortmund
Under Article 16 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, clubs and national associations can be held accountable for the conduct of their fans even where they can demonstrate that there was no negligence in the organisation of the fixture.
The regulations specifically cover the throwing of objects that could endanger people attending a match or disrupt its proper staging, as well as the lighting of fireworks and other such items. Dortmund’s fine follows that framework after the events during Villarreal’s visit to the Ruhr.
For Villarreal, the narrow defeat left them empty-handed after an encouraging continental away display. For Dortmund, the three points from an absorbing opening-night contest remain intact, though the atmosphere generated by the home crowd has resulted in a significant UEFA penalty.
