UEFA inspector to seek answers over Arsenal vs Cologne crowd trouble after game was delayed by an hour

  • Arsenal's Europa League game with Cologne was delayed by an hour on Sept 14
  • UEFA appoint ethics and disciplinary investigator to determine circumstances
  • Gunners have been charged for blocked stairways in away supporters' section
  • Five arrests were made over the course of the evening at the Emirates Stadium 

A UEFA inspector will seek answers from Arsenal and Cologne over the cause of the crowd trouble which marred last week's Europa League meeting between the sides at the Emirates Stadium.

European football's governing body said on Friday it had decided to appoint an ethics and disciplinary investigator in a bid to determine the circumstances surrounding the match on September 14.

The game was delayed by an hour as ticketless Cologne fans tried to gain entry to the stadium. The visitors were issued with 3,000 tickets, but around 20,000 Cologne fans were believed to have made the journey to London.

UEFA will seek answers from Arsenal and Cologne over the cause of crowd trouble last week

UEFA will seek answers from Arsenal and Cologne over the cause of crowd trouble last week

A Cologne supporter with a red smoke canister on Highbury corner on September 14

A Cologne supporter with a red smoke canister on Highbury corner on September 14

Cologne fans were allowed into the stadium shortly before 8pm on the night of the match 

Cologne fans were allowed into the stadium shortly before 8pm on the night of the match 

Riot police moved into the section where the away fans had been housed after fights broke out

Riot police moved into the section where the away fans had been housed after fights broke out

Police officers urge Cologne supporters to get back as they were held outside the Emirates

Police officers urge Cologne supporters to get back as they were held outside the Emirates

In the aftermath of Arsenal's win over Cologne, the Germans issued a statement where they apologised for the crowd disturbance but also criticised their small ticket allocation as well as the organisation around the event.


It was the club's first European fixture in 25 years and Cologne argued 'organisers were unfortunately not adequately prepared for the task' and that the police presence was 'too small'.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has previously said it would be 'completely unfair' if Arsenal were to be sanctioned by UEFA, with the club themselves arguing they had worked 'in full consultation with police and UEFA officials on the night and in advance of the game'. 

Five arrests were made over the course of the evening and Arsenal announced last Friday they were conducting a full review of the night's events. 

Arsenal confirmed their game with Cologne had been delayed due to crowd disturbances

Arsenal confirmed their game with Cologne had been delayed due to crowd disturbances

Cologne supporters were stopped on a walkway as they tried to get to the Emirates Stadium 

Cologne supporters were stopped on a walkway as they tried to get to the Emirates Stadium 

One Cologne supporter was left with a bleeding head after being caught up in the incident

One Cologne supporter was left with a bleeding head after being caught up in the incident

Officers guarded The Clock End, where the Cologne supporters arrived in their thousands

Officers guarded The Clock End, where the Cologne supporters arrived in their thousands

Cologne face four disciplinary charges - crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks, throwing of objects and acts of damage - while the Gunners have been charged for blocked stairways in the away supporters' section.

UEFA also announced Everton had been fined €10,000 (£8,875) for objects being thrown during their home Europa League tie with Hajduk Split last month.

Spartak, who Liverpool visit next week, were hit with the heaviest punishment of all after an object launched from the stand housing their supporters in Slovenia was fired onto the pitch and almost struck the referee.

They have been fined €60,000 (£53,250) and will not be allowed to sell tickets for the next away game in the Champions League, which is in Seville in November.

Meanwhile, Sevilla's manager Eduardo Berizzo has been suspended for their home game against Maribor later this month having been sent to the stands at Anfield for time-wasting.