UEFA charge clubs over crowd trouble

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague after last Thursday’s Europa League match in Slovakia was interrupted for half an hour by clashes between supporters.

The players eventually returned to the pitch some 40 minutes later and Sparta secured victory courtesy of second-half goals by David Lafata, Tiemoko Konate and Ladislav Krejci.

The match marked the first time that the two sides had met in a competitive fixture since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993.

Both clubs were charged with crowd disturbances and the setting off of fireworks, with Slovan additionally charged with “insufficient organisation” and the matter will be dealt with by the UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body on October 30.

UEFA also announced that disciplinary proceedings had been opened following the Group L clash between Metalist Kharkiv and Legia Warsaw, played last Wednesday in Ukraine.

Metalist have been charged for the misbehaviour of their fans and the setting-off of fireworks, with Legia accused of crowd disturbances and displaying an illicit banner.

The case will be addressed on November 13.