Soccer

UEFA open disciplinary proceedings against Tottenham after pitch invasions

Mauricio Pochettino concerned for his players’ safety during the pitch invasions on Thursday night

A steward falls over as he tries to catch a spectator that had run onto the pitch during the Europa League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur’ and Partizan Belgrade at White Hart Lane. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters
A steward falls over as he tries to catch a spectator that had run onto the pitch during the Europa League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur’ and Partizan Belgrade at White Hart Lane. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters
Fri Nov 28 2014 - 14:52

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Tottenham following the pitch invasions which disrupted their Europa League match at home to Partizan Belgrade.

The White Hart Lane clash, which Spurs won 1-0, was temporarily suspended late in the first half following three separate pitch invasions. The match was halted in the 41st minute after a third individual managed to slip on to the White Hart Lane pitch in what appeared to be an orchestrated PR stunt.

UEFA said in a statement its control, ethics and disciplinary body would hear the charge on December 11th.

Roberto Soldado and Moussa Dembele, who stopped the pitch invaders, will not face charges. The three pitch invaders wore t-shirts bearing the name of a headphone manufacturer.

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Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted concern for his players' safety during the pitch invasions .

Spurs progressed to the Europa League knockout stages following the win.

BassBuds

All three men wore t-shirts bearing the name of headphone manufacturer BassBuds, who produce licensed Spurs merchandise.

The company have released a statement condemning the invasions, but Tottenham have removed all mentions of the brand from club channels and related stock from their shops while they investigate.

An official statement from the north London club apologised for the “totally unacceptable behaviour” and the trio now face bans from White Hart Lane.

All three came in on tickets purchased by the same person, while a fourth individual under the same booking was monitored but did not encroach on the field — much to the relief of Pochettino.

“You never know maybe what can happen on the pitch, but the behaviour from these people was only to go in and to show I don’t know who or what,” the Spurs head coach said.

“I am very disappointed but I think all the club, our supporters, and all people that love the game of football too because this is a very strange situation.

“It is very disappointing but it’s important now that we are focused on the next game on Sunday and to be calm and focused on Sunday when we have a very tough game with Everton.”

Anti-Sematic

Pochettino may be able to focus on this weekend's return to Premier League action, but the club will be busily investigating the incidents which make the wrong kind of headlines.

As it happens, the sides’ previous meeting in September was also shrouded in controversy after Partizan fans displayed an anti-Semitic banner inspired by the Only Fools and Horses logo, with the name changed to ‘Only Jews and Pussies’.

It led to UEFA fining Partizan and handing down a partial stadium closure for their next home match, but this time it is Tottenham who look set to face the wrath of European football’s governing body.