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| Manchester City fans have been accused of 'disruption of a competition anthem' |
MANCHESTER CITY are on a collision course with UEFA after disciplinary proceedings were opened against the club because supporters booed the Champions League anthem on Wednesday evening.
The unprecedented action threatens to make a mockery of European football's governing body at a time when their president Michel Platini is currently banned from football activities for 90 days while there is an investigation into the £1.35m payment made to him from FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.
City supporters booed the anthem before the home win over Sevilla and match delegate, Geir Thorsteinsson, included the incident in his report.
UEFA has its own regulation - Art. 16 (2) (g) DR - which states that "disruption of a competition anthem" is an offence.
A statement from UEFA said: "Please note that the incident was reported by the match officials therefore a case was opened. This does not necessarily mean that a sanction will be imposed."
City declined to make an official comment last night but a source said they are “bemused” by the news that a disciplinary case has been opened against them.
It is also understood they have consulted their lawyers and will fight to protect the right of their supporters to peacefully make their views known on European football’s governing body.
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| Manchester City declined to make an official statement but a source they are 'bemused' by the news |
UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body will hear the case on 19 November.
City supporters have repeatedly booed the anthem, which is taken from Handel's Zadok the Priest, to express their dissatisfaction with UEFA over Financial Fair Play regulations that resulted in a £50m fine for the club in 2013.
In addition, City supporters are still seething over a high-profile episode last season involving CSKA Moscow. Uefa punished the Russian club for their fans' racism and violence by electing to close their home stadium for one Champions League game.
Though many City fans had bought visas and booked flights and hotels, UEFA refused to countenance any form of compensation.
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| Current UEFA president Michel Platini is currently serving a 90-day ban from football activities |
Yet on the night about 400 CSKA fans managed to gain access to the game, while City supporters who tried to get in were evicted.
Meanwhile, UEFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Dynamo Kiev following disturbances at the Champions League match against Chelsea.
The Ukrainian side have been charged with racist behaviour and crowd disturbances following an incident captured on camera by anti-discrimination network Football Against Racism in Europe during the goalless Group G draw.
Footage of the incident apparently shows a group of Dynamo fans attacking four black men after spotting them in a neighbouring section of the NSK Olimpiysky.
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