October 3 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against a number of Champions League clubs following crowd disturbances during this week’s series of matches. The games at Arsenal, Basle and Anderlecht are all being probed with sanctions to be announced on October16.
Several flares were thrown on to the pitch from the section where the 3,000-strong travelling Galatasaray supporters were located towards the end of the first half at the Emirates Stadium, causing the Group D match against Arsenal to be briefly halted. Wesley Sneijder – the visitors’ captain in place of the unwell Selcuk Inan – made his way over to the Turkish fans in a bid to halt the unrest.
Police confirmed there had been six arrests as part of their operation for the tie in north London, two of which were for entering the ground with flares. UEFA take the view it is the home side’s responsibility to search supporters for any illegal items before they come into the stadium.
At St Jakob Park in Switzerland, a battery appeared to be thrown in the direction of the assistant referee near to the Basle goal during the tie with Liverpool, while at Anderlecht’s stadium, flares were lit in the area housing travelling Borussia Dortmund fans with UEFA citing the “setting-off and throwing of fireworks”.
If found guilty, the clubs could be hit with fines or ordered to play matches behind closed doors.
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