UEFA Rejects Frankfurt's Request for Neutral Venue

Frankfurt Fans 

UEFA rejected Eintracht Frankfurt's request to move their Champions League match against Napoli to a neutral venue after local authorities in Naples banned Frankfurt fans from attending the game.

The decision means the November 4 match will proceed as scheduled at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona without Frankfurt supporters. Frankfurt had cited “safety and organisational deficiencies” at Napoli's stadium in their appeal...

UEFA has rejected Eintracht Frankfurt's request to move their Champions League match against Napoli to a neutral venue after the Italian authorities banned Frankfurt fans from attending the game. The decision means the match will proceed as scheduled on November 4 at Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando Maradona without Frankfurt supporters.

Frankfurt had appealed to UEFA to relocate the game or hold it behind closed doors, citing safety concerns and organizational issues at Napoli's stadium. However, UEFA upheld the decision, stating that local authorities are responsible for ensuring safety and security at matches.

Eintracht Frankfurt's board member Philipp Reschke expressed disappointment, calling the fan ban “unacceptable” and highlighting that this is part of a broader issue in European football where away fans are treated differently in various countries. Reschke emphasized that UEFA is looking into adjusting its regulations to address this issue.

“The entirely different approaches from participating countries and national associations to high-risk matches... has now become a real problem for European fan culture and the integrity of European club competitions,” the club's board member Philipp Reschke said in a statement.

“It's unacceptable that in most places, away fans are welcomed as a matter of course despite major challenges, while in others... away supporters are simply excluded by authorities in spite of identical circumstances and risks.”

Eintracht Frankfurt's issue with Napoli highlights a growing concern in European football, with 15 instances of away fan bans in UEFA competitions since 2023, sparking debate about fairness and fan rights.

❌ 🇩🇪 Eintracht Frankfurt fans will NOT attend Champions League match at 🇮🇹 Napoli!

🛑 UEFA rejected appeal by🇩🇪 Eintracht Frankfurt to move it to neutral venue after their fans were banned due to a risk of violence between rival fans!

👇 Naples ahead of their match in 2023 👇 https://t.co/3G1n9zv6It

— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) October 17, 2025

UEFA to Review Fan Ban Regulations

In response to the growing number of away fan bans, UEFA is considering adjusting its regulations to address the issue. Eintracht Frankfurt's experience highlights the problem, with the club citing 15 cases of official away fan bans in UEFA competitions since 2023. The absence of away fans can create an “atmospheric and competitive disadvantage” for the visiting team, according to Frankfurt board member Philipp Reschke.

“UEFA regulations do not yet provide clubs who are unilaterally affected by official bans on away fans, or even the association itself, with any means of countering – or at least offsetting – this practice,” Reschke added.

“Change will only be possible if the host clubs are given joint responsibility for official restrictions in future, and this way of dealing with security issues no longer unilaterally disadvantages visiting fans and visiting teams.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has weighed in on the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa, calling it “the wrong decision.” Starmer emphasized that the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation, and expressed his stance against antisemitism.

Aston Villa had announced on Thursday that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans would not be allowed to attend the match at Villa Park on November 6 due to safety concerns raised by the police. The decision was made based on advice from the Safety Advisory Group, which cited potential unrest outside the stadium and the ability to deal with protests.

The ban has sparked reactions, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemning it as a “shameful decision” and calling on UK authorities to reverse it. Meanwhile, UEFA has stated that local authorities are responsible for safety decisions, but encourages measures to allow fans to support their teams safely.

UEFA emphasizes its commitment to fan safety and security, stating that it wants supporters to be able to travel and cheer for their teams in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. The governing body prioritizes the well-being of fans while also acknowledging the importance of local authorities in making decisions regarding match safety and security.

According to UEFA, decisions related to the safety and security of matches are the responsibility of the competent local authorities in the territory where the match takes place. This stance underscores the importance of local authorities' roles in ensuring the safety of fans, players, and staff during European competitions.

In light of recent incidents, UEFA's stance on fan safety and security highlights the complexities of balancing fan experience with safety concerns. The governing body's emphasis on local authorities' responsibility underscores the need for collaboration between UEFA, local authorities, and clubs to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for fans.