Uefa issues charges for Valencia violence
The violence in Spain marred an otherwise entertaining night of Champions League football
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Wednesday, 07, Mar 2007 04:14
European football's governing body Uefa has charged both Valencia and Inter Milan and five individual players for their parts in the violent scenes at the end of last night's Champions League game.
Carlos Marchena and David Navarro of Valencia, and Nicolas Burdisso, Ivan Cordoba and Maicon of Inter have all been charged with gross unsporting conduct.
Both clubs have also been hit with charges of improper conduct.
Players, staff and officials from both sides were involved in the on-pitch brawl at the final whistle of the goalless draw, which saw the Spanish side progress at the expense of the Serie A leaders on the away goals rule after a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.
Inter claim centre-back Burdisso was given a broken nose by Valencia substitute Navarro and video footage showed the Spanish player aim a punch at his Italian counterpart during the melee.
The violent scenes on the pitch were later continued in the tunnel and even in the dressing rooms of both sides as the tempers of players from both sides boiled over.
In a statement, Uefa said that "the control and disciplinary body will deal with the case on Wednesday March 14th" and both teams and the five players charged will have until that date to respond.
Sanctions are likely to be meted out to both teams for their role in the ugly scenes and, if found guilty, punishments could be anything from fines to expulsion from the current or future European competitions.