RC Lens Fined €80,000 as UEFA Bans Fans from Two Champions League Away Matches
French club RC Lens have been fined €80,000 and banned from selling tickets to their supporters for their next two UEFA Champions League away matches following crowd trouble during their 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge.

The incidents occurred on October 21 at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Belgium. Lens supporters reportedly set off flares and threw some pyrotechnic devices towards the pitch and opposing fans.
UEFA recorded 132 pyrotechnic devices in the away section. A steward was injured, while some supporters with reduced mobility were also reportedly struck by pyrotechnics.

The punishment means Lens supporters will miss the club’s away matches against RB Leipzig on November 24, 2026, and Liverpool on January 27, 2027. UEFA also imposed a further one-match away-fan ban, suspended for two years.
The sanction follows previous disciplinary action against Lens over similar incidents. The club now faces pressure to improve supporter safety and prevent further misconduct that could lead to additional UEFA penalties. Sportsnet.ca +2