The initial La Liga match between Barcelona and Getafe in 2023/24 is scheduled to be held behind closed doors.
With the hosts being required to play without spectators, the Catalans, who are looking to start their season off on the greatest possible note, may have just received a raw deal or the ideal boost.
This means they will have to deal with one less hostile crowd.
According to reports from Barcablaugranes, the punishment meted out to Getafe dates all the way back to a 2019 event during which Getafe supporters threw objects from the stands during a match against Tenerife.
Getafe will now be required to serve a one-game supporter ban as a result of the event, and it will take effect against Barcelona, according to a recent Supreme Court decision.
Getafe’s stadium ban incident explained
In 2017, Getafe player Sergio Mora was subject to chants of ‘assassin’ and ‘[Expletive] Getafe’ around the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez, before a smoke bomb was released in stoppage time.
The Getafe fans would then invade the pitch on the final whistle, as per reports from Relevo.
They threw seats and prevented the refereeing team and opposition from reaching their dressing rooms, in a grim show of power.
Originally, a stadium ban was issued to the Madrid-based club, but it was later replaced by an €18 000 fine, but recent protests by the Anti-Violence Committee have appealed that decision, and ultimately caused the ban to fall on the first day of this coming campaign.
Barcelona’s last trip to Getafe came back in April and ended in a 0-0 draw. The match also famously drew complaints from Xavi afterwards.
Barcelona to avoid European ban
Sports Brief had previously reported Barcelona are set to no longer forfeit their Champions League slot for next season after Spanish police reportedly cleared the Catalan club over allegations of trying to influence referees.
The recently crowned La Liga champions have been under investigation by anti-corruption authorities for months over alleged payments made to former Spanish refereeing chief, Enriquez Negreira.