MARSEILLE (France), Oct 14: UEFA have slapped Spanish side Atletico Madrid with a stadium ban following a complaint of racism by French club Marseille.

Marseille lodged an official complaint with European football’s ruling body after several of their players were targeted by Atletico fans during their match in Madrid on October 1.

Monkey chants were aimed at the French club’s players, while the Marseille team bus was attacked after the match.

UEFA said Atletico must play their next two European matches, the first of which will be against Liverpool on October 22, at a stadium at least 300km away from Madrid.

A third match ban will be invoked if there is a repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.

Atletico have also been fined 150,000 euros and their coach, Javier Aguirre, has been banned for both matches with Liverpool for insulting Marseille players.

Atletico have until October 17 to appeal the ban, which means they will also have to host PSV Eindhoven at a neutral ground on November 26.

Aguirre’s sanction - to be applied at the neutral ground against Liverpool, then at Anfield on November 4 - means he will not be allowed at an official event during and after the match, or in the tunnel, technical area or dressing-room. Any communication with the team is also forbidden.

Atletico won the Marseille match 2-1. Liverpool and Atletico are joint leaders in Group D of the Champions League having both won their opening two matches.—AFP