UEFA have brought disciplinary proceedings against Arsenal and Cologne after Thursday night’s Europa League crowd disturbances at the Emirates.

The German club have been hit with four charges, including one of crowd disturbances and also acts of damage, setting off fireworks and throwing of objects.

Arsenal have been charged after a stairway was blocked.

The case will be heard next Thursday which could point towards action being taken ahead of the return game in Cologne.
Cologne fans let off flares in the away end (
Image:
Richard Heathcote)

Cologne could face a heavy fine or even being made to play behind closed doors.

Arsenal have begun their own investigation into the trouble with questions over ticketing, segregation, policing and stewarding.
Koln fans square up to stewards (
Image:
Reuters)
Segregation inside the stadium completely broke down (
Image:
REUTERS)

The UEFA statement in full declared: "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Europa League group stage match between Arsenal FC and 1. FC Köln (3-1), played on 14 September in England.

"Charges against 1. FC Köln:

  • Crowd disturbances – Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations

  • Setting of fireworks – Art. 16 (2) DR

  • Throwing of objects – Art. 16 (2) DR

  • Acts of damage – Art. 16 (2) DR

"Charges against Arsenal FC:

  • Stairways blocked in away supporters sector – Art. 38 of UEFA Safety & Security Regulations.

"This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 21 September."
Cologne have been hit with four charges by UEFA (
Image:
AFP)
Segregation broke down inside the ground (
Image:
REX/Shutterstock)

Kick off was delayed by an hour as 20,000 visiting fans descended on the ground - despite the German club officially being allocated just 3,000 tickets.

Segregation of home and away fans completely broke down, with as many as 8,000 German fans in the home end of the stadium.

Cologne fans also clashed with stewards and lit flares amid the chaos and riot police were deployed both in and outside the stadium.

The game eventually went ahead as clubs and authorities decided that the “safest option” was to play the game.

Cologne sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has admitted it was touch and go as to whether the game would go ahead.

"If a game has to start an hour later, that is not nice and good,” said Schmadtke, speaking to Sport Bild. “We must now clarify exactly what has happened.”

Asked how close the game came to being called off, he replied: “[it was] relatively tight."