(Reuters) – UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings after fans clashed during a Champions League first qualifying round game between Maltese side Hamrun Spartans and Israel’s Maccabi Haifa, European soccer’s governing body said on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s game in Ta’ Qali in Malta was interrupted twice due to the fans of both teams throwing flares and objects at each other, with some of them landing on the pitch, local media reported.
“Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in accordance with Article 55 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) following the… match,” UEFA said in their disciplinary update.
Maccabi face charges for their fans lighting fireworks and committing acts of damage while both teams have been charged for their fans throwing objects and causing crowd disturbances, UEFA said.
Police officers entered the stand where the Israeli fans were sitting in an attempt to bring the situation under control, Israeli media reported, adding that footage showed scuffles breaking out between the supporters of the two sides.
The Times of Israel reported that Maccabi fans said they were provoked by the home crowd with racist comments and chants of “Palestine, Palestine,” as well as having objects thrown at them.
Five Maccabi fans were arrested, the Times of Israel reported.
The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course, UEFA said.
Maltese media reported that the Spartans have requested for the return leg, scheduled for July 18, to be played outside of Israel.
Maccabi Haifa beat Hamrun Spartans 4-0 in the first leg.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Toby Davis)
