UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona for yellow balloon throwing

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings today against Barcelona for the throwing of yellow balloons onto the Camp Nou pitch during the Wednesday's European Champions League match against Roma.

In the 17:14 minute of the Quarterfinals of the top European competition, dozens of yellow balloons invaded the field as a symbol of protest and to demand solidarity and freedom for the imprisoned Catalan pro-independence politicians in recent months.

The action, driven by various pro-independence organizations, did not lead to the suspension of the match, which, after a few seconds pause for the removal of the balloons, could continue without incident.

The governing body of European football, in any case, relied on Article 16 of its disciplinary regulations to initiate the measure, which will be discussed in the committee meeting on May 31.

Barcelona is confident that it will not be ultimately sanctioned, as the balloon throwing had no impact on the match, which ended with a resounding 4-1 victory for the Blaugrana.

But neither did the pro-independence flags that part of the crowd waved in past seasons at the Camp Nou have any impact, and yet UEFA fined Barcelona for them.