Barcelona are embroiled in a stand-off with a section of their fanbase after closing part of their home stadium, the Espai d’Animació, indefinitely. The decision, announced ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game against Brest, stems from fines levied on the club for inappropriate fan behaviour—fines the club wants reimbursed by the supporters’ groups who occupy this section.

With the lower north stand at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys left empty for the match, tensions between Barcelona’s management and their fans have spilled into public view. So, what led to this drastic action, and how did things reach this boiling point?

Barcelona’s Espai d’Animació—a designated supporters’ section—has been the subject of 14 disciplinary proceedings for inappropriate behaviour since the start of last season. These incidents have resulted in €21,000 (£18,000) in fines imposed by La Liga, UEFA, and the Catalonian government.

The most recent case involved a €10,000 fine from UEFA after a banner with Nazi connotations appeared in the away end during Barca’s Champions League game at Monaco in September. The banner read “Flick heil,” a reference to Barcelona’s German manager Hansi Flick, and was the final straw for the club.

Barcelona claim that under an agreement signed last season, the fan groups that make up the Espai d’Animació—Almogàvers, Front 532, Nostra Ensenya, and Supporters Barça—are responsible for reimbursing the fines. After three deadlines to pay went unmet, the club announced the closure of the section ahead of Tuesday’s game.

The fan groups deny responsibility for reimbursing the fines, arguing that the behaviour leading to the sanctions is not their sole responsibility.

Albert Yarza, president of Almogàvers, described the club’s decision as both “surprising” and “sad.” Speaking to The Athletic, he explained, “The club is punishing us by not allowing us to go to the stadium. We believe we do not have the responsibility to pay these fines, and we’ve made that clear to the club.”

Yarza added that the groups are open to discussions to resolve the issue but reject any resolution that makes them liable for the fines. “Tonight, we won’t go to the Brest game,” he said. “But this will make it visible: when the supporters’ stand isn’t there, it’s noticeable.”

The Espai d’Animació, holding 572 seats, is typically the most vibrant area of Barcelona’s home stadium, leading chants and generating much of the atmosphere. Its absence on Tuesday was both literal and symbolic.

Barcelona’s leadership, under president Joan Laporta, is standing firm. Sources at the club claim that the closure of the supporters’ stand is part of a broader push to stamp out offensive and disruptive behaviour, something they insist has no place at Barcelona.

Laporta, who has long fought against ultra groups, is no stranger to such battles. During his first term as club president, starting in 2003, he banned the violent Boixos Nois group from attending matches, resulting in death threats and vandalism of his home. While the Boixos Nois remain distanced from the club, Laporta’s determination to maintain discipline within Barcelona’s fanbase continues.

Speaking about the Monaco incident, club sources said it was a “turning point” that forced them to take stronger action. They argue the Espai d’Animació groups had committed to preventing racist or homophobic behaviour under their collaboration agreement, and the fines indicate a failure to uphold this responsibility.

Barcelona’s decision has sparked criticism from supporters’ groups and external organisations.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) issued a statement in solidarity with the fan groups, calling the closure of the Espai d’Animació an act of “collective punishment.” They argued that Barcelona had provided no evidence linking the groups to the specific incidents that triggered the fines, accusing the club of overreach.

“The club is punishing large numbers of fans without proving that the minority involved in the incidents are actually part of these groups,” the FSE statement read.

Barcelona declined to comment officially but insisted privately that the closure was necessary to enforce behavioural standards and protect the club’s image.

The Espai d’Animació was introduced during Josep Maria Bartomeu’s presidency in the 2016-17 season, designed to foster a more vibrant matchday atmosphere. While Laporta has kept the initiative in place during his second tenure as president, the section has been downsized at Barcelona’s temporary home, the Estadi Olímpic.

The section is an important part of matchday culture for the club and its players. After last month’s 4-1 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, Barcelona’s squad went to the Espai d’Animació to celebrate with the fans.

For now, the Espai d’Animació remains closed, and fans in this section will not attend home games. While both sides have indicated a willingness to hold discussions, they remain far apart on a resolution.

Barcelona sources suggest talks could begin in the coming days, but they are adamant that the fines must be reimbursed before the section can reopen. Fan representatives, however, argue that imposing such a financial burden undermines the purpose of the supporters’ stand.

The best-case scenario would see the section reopen in time for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Las Palmas, but whether that is realistic remains unclear. The longer the stand-off continues, the more strained relations between the club and its fanbase may become.

For now, the chants, banners, and vibrant atmosphere typically provided by the Espai d’Animació are on hold, leaving a noticeable void at Barcelona’s temporary home. Whether the two sides can find common ground remains to be seen.