Atletico Madrid will appeal against the stadium ban handed out to them by UEFA for incidents during their Champions League tie with Marseille.
The Primera Liga club have issued a statement in which they said they are planning to appeal the punishment - the sternest issued by UEFA in their fight against racism - and wanted to make a public defence.
European football's governing body have ruled Atletico's next two Champions League home matches cannot not be played within 200 miles of Madrid, meaning Liverpool's clash there next Wednesday will now have to be moved - leaving the plans of thousands of Reds fans in tatters. The Spanish club have also been fined £120,000.
The third match ban will only be invoked if there is a repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club's home and away fixtures against Liverpool for insulting Marseille players.
"Regardless of the fact that the club is going to defend its rights by means of the filing of the corresponding appeal, it considers it necessary to put forward its position against the decision made by UEFA, both to its supporters as well as to the public opinion," said a statement on the club's official website.
"The club feels that the sanctions imposed are completely unfair and disproportionate.
"Concerning the accusation of racist insults, the club would like to state that at no time were insults of racist or xenophobic character directed at any Marseille player, as supported by the video of the match and in the record given by the UEFA delegate himself.
"It must be recorded that Atletico Madrid has no prior record with UEFA for equal or similar acts to those set out in the ban.
"In reference to the action attributed to our head coach, Javier Aguirre, for which he has been suspended for hurling insults at the players of the opposing team, the circumstance did not take place at any time, as is made quite clear in the report of the delegates designated to the match and from the fourth referee, who, at no time, mentioned such circumstances in his report."
The Primera Liga club have issued a statement in which they said they are planning to appeal the punishment - the sternest issued by UEFA in their fight against racism - and wanted to make a public defence.
European football's governing body have ruled Atletico's next two Champions League home matches cannot not be played within 200 miles of Madrid, meaning Liverpool's clash there next Wednesday will now have to be moved - leaving the plans of thousands of Reds fans in tatters. The Spanish club have also been fined £120,000.
The third match ban will only be invoked if there is a repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club's home and away fixtures against Liverpool for insulting Marseille players.
"Regardless of the fact that the club is going to defend its rights by means of the filing of the corresponding appeal, it considers it necessary to put forward its position against the decision made by UEFA, both to its supporters as well as to the public opinion," said a statement on the club's official website.
"The club feels that the sanctions imposed are completely unfair and disproportionate.
"Concerning the accusation of racist insults, the club would like to state that at no time were insults of racist or xenophobic character directed at any Marseille player, as supported by the video of the match and in the record given by the UEFA delegate himself.
"It must be recorded that Atletico Madrid has no prior record with UEFA for equal or similar acts to those set out in the ban.
"In reference to the action attributed to our head coach, Javier Aguirre, for which he has been suspended for hurling insults at the players of the opposing team, the circumstance did not take place at any time, as is made quite clear in the report of the delegates designated to the match and from the fourth referee, who, at no time, mentioned such circumstances in his report."
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