UEFA opens disciplinary cases against Nice and Cologne after night of extreme violence

September 11 – UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against OGC Nice and FC Cologne after their Conference League opener last Thursday was marred by violent scenes which led to saw battles unfold inside and outside the stadium.

Kick-off was delayed 55 minutes as fans physically fought, threw objects and threw pyrotechnics at each other.

UEFA have accused the Nice host of throwing objects, lighting drafts, disturbing the crowd, "identifying those responsible", security personnel, filtering and searches of spectators, limitation of the movement of spectators, blocking of public passages.

Around 10,000 Cologne fans were in Nice for the match at the Allianz Riviera stadium. Cologne was charged with throwing objects, lighting fireworks and disturbing the crowd.

Local police reported 39 people injured, including nine officers and a man who fell from the upper floor, suffering a serious head injury and several broken ribs.

The unrest started earlier today in Nice city center, with the city's mayor threatening to send a bill to FC Cologne for the damage caused. Cologne fans and the club have reacted by criticizing insufficient police and security.

Reports indicate that the Cologne hooligans were accompanied by violent ultras linked to German teams Borussia Dortmund and Rot-Weiss Essen, as well as French team Paris-Saint Germain, with whom some groups of supporters from Cologne maintain friendly relations.

The ultras of PSG from Supras Auteuil were banned from the Parc des Princes in 2010.

In a statement, PSG said: "The club recalls that the Supras Auteil group was dissolved by decree on April 29, 2010 and that its former members are not recognized as supporters of Paris Saint-Germain."

UEFA said its disciplinary bodies "will decide on the matter in due course".

The violence marked another miserable night in France for UEFA and French authorities following the debacle of the 2022 Champions League final and the failure of police to keep Liverpool fans safe.< /p>

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