UEFA blocks St Gallen ticket sales for Europa League trip to Benfica | OneFootball

UEFA has barred St Gallen from selling tickets for their Europa League match against Benfica at Estádio da Luz on 30 July.

The sanction follows a punishment imposed at the end of 2024 after St Gallen supporters used pyrotechnics during a Europa Conference League game in Heidenheim while a prior penalty was still suspended. The club were also fined 40,000 Swiss francs. The Swiss daily Tagblatt has highlighted the historic significance of the tie.

The meeting has generated strong interest in Switzerland, with the visitors facing their most prestigious European opponent since Inter Milan in 1985. Benfica are 38-time Portuguese champions.

St Gallen finished as Swiss runners-up last season, 14 points behind champions FC Thun. The club was founded on 19 April 1879, is the oldest still active in Switzerland and among the oldest in Europe.

Their honours list includes two Swiss titles, in 1902/03 and 1999/2000, two Swiss Cups, one League Cup and four second-division crowns.

Source: Glorioso 1904