UEFA to Investigate Man U-Lille Match

• Various Reports, Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:50 PM

UEFA, soccer's European governing body, said it would launch an investigation into Manchester United's Champions League win against Lille at the Stade Felix Bollaert in Lens on Tuesday. The French police were heavily criticized for their handling of a situation involving Manchester United supporters. Riot police swiped their batons and fired teargas at fans after they were pinned against a 10-foot high metal perimeter fence. Police swooped in to save two people, but then proceeded to fire tear gas to keep them jumping over the fence and out of the designated away fan section.

Later on, Lille players nearly walked off the field after Ryan Giggs fired home the eventual game-winner in the 83rd minute. Lille goalkeeper Tony Sylva was setting up the team wall when Giggs quickly took the free kick. Lille players thought the goal should be called back, especially since they had just scored a goal that was controversially called back. Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson labeled the Lille players "an absolute disgrace" for the way they reacted. Claude Puel, the Lille coach, said his team was merely engaging in mind games by stopping play, something he implied Ferguson knows a lot about. In the end, Puel said two bad refereeing decisions were the difference between the clubs.

UEFA is set to discuss the behavior of the French team on Friday, though the safety and security issues won't be discussed until March 22, which is more than two weeks after the return leg in Manchester.

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