Uefa plan further investigation after Arsenal-Cologne Europa League tie marred by crowd trouble

Uefa have appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to further investigate the events surrounding Arsenal’s Europa League tie with Cologne last week, a match marred by crowd trouble.

European football’s governing body charged both Cologne and Arsenal after last Thursday’s 3-1 for the Gunners at the Emirates, with an initial decision having been due yesterday.

That will now be delayed as Uefa conduct a more detailed investigation into the events in North London, which saw over 10,000 travelling supporters find their way into the match, for which Cologne had been assigned only 3,000 tickets.

In a statement Uefa confirmed: “The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Board has decided to appoint an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to initiate the appropriate disciplinary investigations.

“The Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will contact both clubs in order to evaluate the scope of their respective responsibility as regards the incidents connected to this match.”

Cologne face four charges, relating to: crowd disturbances, setting of fireworks, throwing of objects and acts of damage. Arsenal have also been charged due to stairways in the away supporters section being blocked.

Four fans were arrested following disturbances in North London. Around 20,000 Cologne supporters travelled to the capital, many hoping to acquire tickets off home fans, for what was their clubs first European tie in 25 years.

With far more Cologne fans outside the Emirates than there had been tickets allocated for Arsenal were forced to postpone the match by one hour. Once fans were allowed into the ground it became apparent that thousands of travelling supporters had acquired tickets in the home end, with the Clock End being dominated by visiting supporters.

Arsenal deemed playing the game to be the safest option though manager Arsene Wenger admitted he feared the game would be postponed.

Cologne have since condemned the events of Thursday September 14 but questioned security that “seemed inadequate” and a police force the German club deemed “too small”.