UEFA brings charges against Arsenal and Koln after crowd trouble in Europa League match
:focal(179x135:181x133)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/03/26/1443595-30868867-310-310.jpg)
Updated 15/09/2017 at 11:16 GMT
UEFA has brought charges against both Arsenal and FC Koln following the crowd disturbances which saw their Europa League match on Thursday delayed by one hour.
Police inside the stadium keep an eye on Cologne supporters in the stands as the kick off is delayed
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have been charged with blocking stairways in the away section while Koln have been charged with four counts: crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks, throwing objects and causing damage.
Arsenal won the game 3-1 but only after kick-off was pushed back to 9.05pm after an estimated 20,000 Koln fans turned up to the stadium and attempted to gain access.
Fans filmed some elements of the Koln support breaking down barriers as they tried to access the stadium
t
Many German fans had purchased tickets in the home end and some tried to vault over into the away end, causing conflicts with stewards. With trouble occurring outside the ground and in, concerns over supporter safety prompted the clubs to delay the start of the match.
A UEFA statement said:
Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Europa League group stage match between Arsenal FC and 1. FC Köln (3-1), played on 14 September in England. Charges against 1. FC Köln: Crowd disturbances – Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations Setting of fireworks – Art. 16 (2) DR Throwing of objects – Art. 16 (2) DR Acts of damage – Art. 16 (2) DR Charges against Arsenal FC: Stairways blocked in away supporters sector – Art. 38 of UEFA Safety & Security Regulations This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 21 September.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had called on UEFA to investigate the events of the night at Emirates Stadium.
“Only they know the facts to analyse what happened," he said. "They should certainly make an inquiry to find out what happened, for sure.
“There were certainly more people here than had tickets. We left that to the police. I don’t know how they [Koln fans] managed to infiltrate our fans. Did they go through membership or the internet? I don’t know but they did it very well."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/09/14/2167315-45303710-2560-1440.jpg)
Arsenal v Koln
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have launched a full review into the circumstances surrounding the game. They denied claims that some Cologne fans had acquired tickets by joining Arsenal's membership scheme.
"No red memberships purchased after the draw were able to be used to get tickets in the home end for this match," Arsenal said. "We also worked with our colleagues at Cologne to stop supporters travelling without match tickets."
Police said five people had been arrested, all on suspicion of public order offences.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement