UEFA to consider what punishment to hand Liverpool for Manchester City bus attack at Anfield
UEFA will consider on Thursday what punishment to hand Liverpool following the attack on Manchester City’s team bus before the two clubs met in the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield last month.
City’s luxury coach was bombarded with bricks, bottles and fireworks by Liverpool fans lining the approach to the ground, and they had to arrange for a replacement to take Pep Guardiola and his players back to Manchester afterwards.
UEFA charged Liverpool with four breaches of Article 16 relating to stadium safety – crowd disturbances, throwing of objects, acts of damage and setting off fireworks – and the case will be heard by its control, ethics and disciplinary body on Thursday.
Ugly scenes outside Anfield marred Liverpool's 3-0 victory against Manchester City last month
Missiles were aimed at the coach amid ugly scenes as it made its way towards Anfield
The panel will take into account other offences in the return game at the Etihad, as well as both legs of the semi-final against Roma, although the decision may not be known until Friday or early next week.
The sanctions open to UEFA include making Liverpool play behind closed doors in Europe or a fine.
City were unhappy that Merseyside Police changed their route to Anfield the day before the game and then publicised it.
This allowed fans to prepare for their arrival after messages were posted on social media encouraging them to give City a ‘coach greeting’ before the big game which Liverpool won 3-0.
UEFA charged Liverpool with four breaches of Article 16 relating to stadium safety
The windscreen and driver’s door of the bus were smashed as it was bombarded by missiles, and Liverpool later apologised for the actions of their fans.
City are also understood to be concerned that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident even though police have appealed to the public for footage, as well as reviewing CCTV and bodycam footage from their officers, two of whom were injured.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed last night (wed): ‘No arrests have been made and our appeal is ongoing.’