UEFA to investigate brawl in Valencia-Inter match

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-03-08 10:44

UEFA will investigate the brawl that followed the Champions League match between Valencia and Inter Milan.

UEFA said Wednesday its Control and Disciplinary body will announce any possible suspensions and fines at its meeting on March 22.

That meeting was already scheduled to consider the crowd problems during Manchester United's Champions League first knockout round, first leg tie away to Lille last month.

The fighting broke out after the 0-0 draw at the Mestalla Stadium on Tuesday, a result which put Valencia into the quarterfinals on the away-goals rule after the 2-2 draw in the first leg in Milan two weeks ago.

As the final whistle blew, Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso attacked Valencia defender Carlos Marchena, sparking the brawl.

Valencia unused substitute defender David Navarro then charged onto the field and punched Burdisso. Inter players Julio Ricardo Cruz, Ivan Cordoba, and Maicon then aimed kicks at Navarro as he ran away.

"I was arguing with another player," Burdisso told Italian news agency ANSA on his return to Milan on Wednesday.

"Approaching me from behind isn't manly."

Burdisso did not reveal what sparked his tussle with Marchena. The melee continued in the stadium tunnel. Several Inter players - including Cruz and Esteban Cambiasso - had to be restrained by stadium security and the Spanish Civil Guard from entering the Valencia dressing room after Inter substitute goalkeeper Francesco Toldo did so.

Six yellow cards were shown in the tense match and both teams made hard challenges in the final minutes, leading to the late pushing.




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