Motherwell have called for improved fan behaviour ahead of their Europa League second-leg tie against Freiburg, revealing that several off-field antics have cost the club nearly €100,000 in fines.
Around 1,500 travelling fans are expected in Germany to support the Steelmen against last season’s Europa League finalists. While Motherwell face an uphill battle trailing 3-1 from the first leg, the trip marks a major milestone in a campaign already highlighted by memorable victories over HJK Helsinki and Havnar Bóltfelag.
However, those celebrations have come at a steep price. Several supporter-led incidents, including damage to an advertising board in Finland while celebrating Tawanda Maswanhise’s 64th-minute penalty, have landed the club with over €74,000 in UEFA sanctions for individual match violations alone.
“What a few weeks it has been for Motherwell Football Club,” the statement begins on the website.
“The number of supporters attending matches at Fir Park, on the road domestically and in Europe has been exceptional. Indeed, for the last 12 months crowd numbers have been significantly up, and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support. The players and staff will never, ever take for granted the effort it takes for you to follow the team.
“With over 1,400 Motherwell fans preparing to jet off to Germany later this week, the excitement is high for what will be an excellent trip for everyone to make memories on the continent with their friends and family.
“However, as we stated last week, the club received fines of almost €20,000 for fan-related issues that had been flagged by UEFA.
“We were fined €4,000 due to the blocking of passageways in the John Hunter Stand at Fir Park against Havnar Boltfelag.
“In Helsinki against HJK, we were fined €15,000 for a group of Motherwell supporters who leapt over the barrier and LED advertising before entering the field of play.
“The last time we played in European competition, we also received two fines for fan-related incidents.
“Since communicating these recent fines, the club has received the cost of the repair work that HJK require for their LED advertisement boards. It is estimated that this will cost the club over €74,000.
“Between this and the UEFA fines, we have already incurred fines / costs of close to €100,000 this season.
“We are not targeting a specific group of supporters or anyone in particular for these matters, but if you know you jumped over the barrier, or even worse, entered the field of play, you know who you are.
“And we’re asking you to please restrain yourself should another celebratory moment arise. This moment created a lot of uncertainty, and the safety of the fans was compromised, as anyone could have been injured.
“Last week during our home match at Fir Park against SC Freiburg, despite our calls for everyone to remain in the stands, UEFA flagged supporters jumping over the wall from the John Hunter Stand.
“Even one supporter entering the field of play is regarded by UEFA as a pitch incursion, and this is subject to an ongoing disciplinary decision. A second offence results in a minimum penalty of a further €24,000.
“We fully appreciate how big these moments are, and we can all get a bit carried away. But such behaviour is taking things too far, and it’s causing a financial strain on the football club, as well as the further risk of harsher punishments growing.
T”he club has previously received fines, costs of damage to away stadiums and suspended ticket sanctions for other fan-related issues domestically. These have totalled almost £15,000 in recent seasons. We therefore need everyone to continue supporting the team, but in a responsible and safe manner.
“Please don’t be the person who causes stadium damage or brings further sanctions/fines on the club. We want more people to be in the stands, not less.
“So, with this in mind, the football club would like to wish everyone a safe trip to Freiburg. We cannot wait to see a sea of claret and amber in the away end on Thursday night and throughout the day.
“Everyone to Freiburg.”
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Thursday’s return fixture is a steep test for Alfred Johansson’s men. But while Motherwell will aim for a memorable upset on the pitch, the club is equally desperate for an improved performance in the stands.