Football: UEFA charge English club after on-pitch brawl

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - UEFA has charged English club Everton for "aggression by supporters against players" after an on-pitch brawl involving fans during Thursday's Europa League game against French club Olympique Lyonnaise.

Everton captain and Wales international Ashley Williams sparked the incident by pushing the French club’s goalkeeper Anthony Lopes in the 64th minute and was confronted by a number of Lyon players. However, a live broadcast showed at least one Everton fan throwing punches toward French players.

"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Europa League group stage match between Everton FC and Olympique Lyonnais (1-2), played on 19 October in England,” a UEFA statement said.

Everton said it had identified “one individual whom action will now be taken against”, including a ban from attending future Everton fixtures. It also registered a complaint with Merseyside Police.

UEFA also charged Italian club Roma after some of its supporters were reported to have shouted racist chants at former defender Antonio Rudiger in a Champions League game played last Wednesday at Chelsea.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Champions League group stage match between Chelsea FC and AS Roma (3-3), played on 18 October in England,” the UEFA said.

It said the charge was “racist behavior (monkey chants)”. The case will be dealt with on Nov. 16.