Cape Town - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is facing a potential Champions
League touchline ban due to crowd disturbances during Wednesday's 4-1
win over Galatasaray, despite the unruly supporters having belonged to the Turkish club.
European football's governing body this week confirmed disciplinary proceedings had been opened against four teams, with the Gunners, Gala, FC Basel and Borussia Dortmund all enduring troubles in the stands during their respective encounters.
At the Emirates Stadium, fans of the Turkish giants pelted flares onto the pitch, leading to a temporary postponement of their Group D clash.
While Arsenal's fans may not have been involved, UEFA's stance is that home teams are responsible for controlling the crowd, meaning both the club and Wenger could find themselves in hot water.
An Arsenal spokesman said in a statement to Press Association Sport: "Crowd safety is always a top priority for us and we were disappointed with the incidents on Wednesday night, which occurred despite extensive searches of away supporters as they entered the stadium and close liaison with police, UEFA and visiting club officials."
Meanwhile, a statement from UEFA outlined the various incidents, which read: "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following incidents at last night's UEFA Champions League matches:
"Match: UEFA Champions League Group B match between Basle and Liverpool (1-0) played on Wednesday 1 October in Switzerland.
"Basle: Throwing of missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) DR)
"Match: UEFA Champions League Group D match between Arsenal and Galatasaray (4-1) played on Wednesday 1 October in England.
"Galatasaray: Crowd disturbances (art. 16 (2) (f) Disciplinary regulation); setting-off and throwing of fireworks (art. 16 (2) (b) & (c) DR)
"Arsenal: Insufficient organisation (art. 16 (1) DR)
"Match: UEFA Champions League Group D match between Anderlecht and Borussia Dortmund (0-3) played on Wednesday 1 October in Belgium.
"Borussia Dortmund: Crowd disturbances (art. 16 (2) (f) Disciplinary regulation); setting-off and throwing of fireworks (art. 16 (2) (b) & (c) DR)
"All three cases will be dealt by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on October 16."
European football's governing body this week confirmed disciplinary proceedings had been opened against four teams, with the Gunners, Gala, FC Basel and Borussia Dortmund all enduring troubles in the stands during their respective encounters.
At the Emirates Stadium, fans of the Turkish giants pelted flares onto the pitch, leading to a temporary postponement of their Group D clash.
While Arsenal's fans may not have been involved, UEFA's stance is that home teams are responsible for controlling the crowd, meaning both the club and Wenger could find themselves in hot water.
An Arsenal spokesman said in a statement to Press Association Sport: "Crowd safety is always a top priority for us and we were disappointed with the incidents on Wednesday night, which occurred despite extensive searches of away supporters as they entered the stadium and close liaison with police, UEFA and visiting club officials."
Meanwhile, a statement from UEFA outlined the various incidents, which read: "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following incidents at last night's UEFA Champions League matches:
"Match: UEFA Champions League Group B match between Basle and Liverpool (1-0) played on Wednesday 1 October in Switzerland.
"Basle: Throwing of missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) DR)
"Match: UEFA Champions League Group D match between Arsenal and Galatasaray (4-1) played on Wednesday 1 October in England.
"Galatasaray: Crowd disturbances (art. 16 (2) (f) Disciplinary regulation); setting-off and throwing of fireworks (art. 16 (2) (b) & (c) DR)
"Arsenal: Insufficient organisation (art. 16 (1) DR)
"Match: UEFA Champions League Group D match between Anderlecht and Borussia Dortmund (0-3) played on Wednesday 1 October in Belgium.
"Borussia Dortmund: Crowd disturbances (art. 16 (2) (f) Disciplinary regulation); setting-off and throwing of fireworks (art. 16 (2) (b) & (c) DR)
"All three cases will be dealt by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on October 16."