Atletico Madrid could face UEFA action after their Champions League quarter-final exit to Manchester City, which ended with ugly scenes on and off the pitch.
The match last night saw melee, hair pulling, exchanged words, a player sent off and even suggestions that City manager Pep Guardiola had liquid thrown at him as he headed towards the tunnel.
Scuffles broke out late in the game and in the tunnel as Atletico’s frustrations at their failure to prise open City’s defence boiled over.
The fixture ended in a goalless draw, enough to see the Premier League side progress to the semi-finals following their victory in the first leg.
UEFA could appoint an ethics and disciplinary inspector to fully investigate what happened, and will await and assess reports on the trouble from the referee and match delegate.
The first major flashpoint came late in the game as a melee erupted after Felipe kicked City’s Phil Foden, whose head he had also bloodied in a poor earlier challenge.
Amongst the trouble Atletico defender Stefan Savic pulled unused City substitute Jack Grealish’s hair after the pair had exchanged words. Felipe was sent off for his involvement.
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However the problems continued after the final whistle, with players needing to be separated in the tunnel. TV footage showed objects being thrown and police reportedly became involved to restore order.
There were also suggestions City manager Guardiola had liquid thrown at him as he headed towards the tunnel.
Guardiola later said he had “nothing to say” in relation to the trouble but did add that “everyone saw the action”.
Action by UEFA would come just days after Atletico were hit with a partial stadium closure for the second leg against City for the “discriminatory behaviour” of their fans during the game in Manchester last week.
That punishment was suspended just hours before the match on Wednesday following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
