Borussia Dortmund fans display anti-FIFA banner in second half of Champions League fixture

Dortmund have hit out at FIFA's latest decision

Dortmund were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to Nicklas Fullkrug's first goal in the competition for the club.

During the early stages of the second half, supporters threw fake gold bars and tennis balls onto the pitch and held up a banner which read: "You don’t care about the sport all you care about is the money".

The Dortmund fans had a banner saying “you dont care about the sport. All you care about is Money!😳

What a statement #BVBNEW #UCL pic.twitter.com/eYffzJKefi

— Sacred CR7 (@SacredCR7) November 7, 2023

The banner is in reference to FIFA's recent decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia are almost certainly set to host the tournament after Australia, their only other competitor, pulled out of the running.

Their protest was also extremely poignant, given that they were playing Newcastle.

Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, who have an 80 per cent majority take in the club but have come under fire from multiple humans rights charities for it's close association to the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Salman.

At the time of their takeover in October 2021, Newcastle gave the Premier League "legally binding assurances" that the Saudi government would have no say in the day-to-day running of the club.

In their first full year of ownership, Newcastle secured a spot in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Related links:

• Man City could miss out on the Champions League next season – even if they win the league
• Human rights campaingers blast decision to award 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia
• First team eliminated from 2026 World Cup