UEFA fine PSG and ban former sporting director Leonardo for reaction to Real Madrid loss – The Athletic

UEFA have fined Paris Saint-Germain 8,000 and banned former sporting director Leonardo for one match following incidents at the end of their Champions League knockout game against Real Madrid in March.

PSG lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate, despite leading 2-0 with less than 30 minutes remaining.

Leonardo left the club last week following a major review by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi which will also see Mauricio Pochettino depart.

The punishments handed down by UEFAs Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body stem from events on March 9.

The Athletic understands Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo went to the referees room at the Santiago Bernabeu to complain about the award of Reals first goal, believing that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the build-up.

PSG were initially fined 16,000 on June 2, but appealed the decision.

A UEFA statement read: The appeal lodged by Paris Saint-Germain is partially upheld. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Bodys decision of March 2 is amended as follows.

To fine Paris Saint-Germain 8,000 for blocking of public passageways. The CEBD had decided, inter alia, to fine Paris Saint-Germain 16,000 for blocking of public passageways.

Leonardo has also been banned for one game. The former AC Milan midfielder was appointed as PSGs sporting director for the second time in July 2019. Al-Khelaifi has been cleared.

Leonardo, who also played for PSG in the 1996-97 season, had previously held the role between July 2011 and July 2013.

The Athletic understands the club is undergoing a thorough process and considering various candidates to replace Pochettino, of which Nices Christophe Galtier is one, while sources close to PSG denied links that emerged last Friday claiming that Zinedine Zidane was close to an agreement.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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UEFA fine PSG and ban former sporting director Leonardo for reaction to Real Madrid loss - The Athletic

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