Footy hell as 20,000 Germans run riot
Gunners face UEFA probe after Emirates trouble
ARSENAL face UEFA charges after their Europa League tie against Cologne was hit by crowd chaos.
Fans of the German club broke through the security to storm the Emirates Stadium, delaying kick-off for an hour.
Skirmishes with stewards followed as they then tried to gather in the away section.
Police responded by locking down the sold-out 60,000-seat stadium, with thousands kept waiting outside until 7.45pm. The game had been due to start at 8.05pm.
The match went ahead in a bizarre atmosphere with thousands of Cologne followers mixed with Arsenal fans. The Bundesliga’s bottom
club were given only 3,000 tickets but up to 20,000 are estimated to have made the trip for their first European tie in 25 years.
One steward said: “I’ve seen more Cologne fans than Arsenal fans here tonight. Visiting fans are supposed to be in sections K and L but a lot of Germans are wearing Arsenal shirts and trying to get in the Arsenal end.”
Arsenal offer a buy-back scheme for unwanted tickets but cannot control tickets sold on. This was the Gunners’ first Europa League group game after 19 consecutive seasons in the Champions League.
Arsenal and Cologne face fines if found “negligent” in match preparations or if there was “a lack of order or discipline observed inside or around the stadium”. Initially 110 police were present, with more drafted in.
Arsenal head of communications Mark Gonnella said: “The players were relaxed and preparing for the game despite the delay. The decision to go ahead was the best option and the safest option.”