Arsenal block fan-funded tifo for Champions League tie vs PSG
Arsenal have blocked a supporter-funded tifo from being displayed at the Emirates Stadium for their Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta's side host PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi final next Tuesday and will be looking for a positive result to take back to the French capital in the return fixture on May 7.
Ashburton Army, a prominent Arsenal supporters' group, has raised over £12,000 in donations from fans this week to help fund their 'biggest tifo yet' for PSG's visit to the Emirates next week.
The three tifo designs were all inspired by the popular Spanish TV series Money Heist, which is also known as La Casa de Papel.
Two of the designs included a chessboard in an apparent reference to the tifo which Real Madrid supporters displayed at the Santiago Bernabeu last week where Arsenal came away with a 2-1 victory.
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The designs were also titled 'La Casa de Mikel', while a message on the bottom of one design below a chessboard read: 'One by one, they fall'.
However, Ashburton Army announced on Thursday that donations will be refunded to all supporters after Arsenal 'declined' their tifo proposal.
A statement from the group read: 'In just 24 hours, Arsenal fans came together to raise over £10,000 to fund what would have been our biggest ever display for the Champions League semi-final against PSG.
'Unfortunately, the club has declined our proposed design, and there won't be a display in the Clock End. As a result, everyone who contributed will be fully refunded.
'This doesn't change the importance of the game – we still need every single one of you on it, bring the noise and backing the team like never before.
'Thank you to everyone who donated, we are grateful for your continued support.'
Ashburton Army was responsible for the Thierry Henry tifo of his iconic goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in 2006 which was displayed in the Clock End at the Emirates during the first leg of Arsenal's quarter-final tie earlier this month.
Arsenal are yet to announce their own plans to involve supporters for PSG's visit to the Emirates next Tuesday but the Gunners will be aiming to replicate the atmosphere against Madrid earlier this month which drew huge praise from Arteta.
Red smoke and fireworks were used by Arsenal before the game against the Champions League holders, while a red and white display of plastic bags help up by supporters was seen across the whole of the stadium prior to kick-off. More Trending
Supporters were also encouraged to get to the Emirates early with Arsenal organising a 'buy one and get one on us' offer on drinks for the first hour of the stadium opening.
'It's a beautiful night at the highest stage in the Champions League against the team that has dominated this competition,' Arteta said after Arsenal's win against Madrid at the Emirates.
'We had an incredible performance in an amazing atmosphere, something I haven't seen before here, and we created a magic night.'
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