UEFA defends Inter’s four-match ban

UEFA were forced onto the defensive yesterday after Inter Milan escaped with a four-match stadium ban for the crowd trouble which led to Tuesday’s Champions League derby with AC being abandoned.

Inter had feared expulsion from next season’s Champions League given that this was a second offence, but a UEFA disciplinary panel instead imposed a €193,000 fine (300,000 Swiss francs) and ordered to play six matches behind closed doors, two of which are suspended for three years.

AC Milan’s keeper Dida was struck and burned by a flare thrown during a barrage of missiles during the match, and his side have been awarded the match 3-0 meaning they play PSV Eindhoven in the semi-final.