UEFA charge AEK Athens and Ajax for violent scenes in which fans were left injured

UEFA have charged AEK Athens and Ajax after bloody fan violence marred their Champions League group stage game on Tuesday night.

UEFA say their disciplinary panel will meet on December 13 to judge six charges against AEK, including crowd disturbances, and two against Ajax.

A petrol bomb exploded into a ball of fire near the section of visiting Ajax fans at the Athens Olympic Stadium, and flares and smoke canisters were thrown.

Ajax fans take cover in the wake of the shocking explosion ahead of kick-off on Tuesday night

Visiting fans cower from the flames after an explosion before their Champions League clash

Visiting fans cower from the flames after an explosion before their Champions League clash

Both clubs have now been charged by UEFA, and a disciplinary panel will meet in December 

Both clubs have now been charged by UEFA, and a disciplinary panel will meet in December 

Riot police clashed with fans in the stadium and in Athens ahead of the game, which Ajax eventually went on to win 2-0.

AEK face a potential stadium closure, though their next home European game will not be this season because they are set to finish last in Group E.

Ajax fans could be banned from the Round of 16 away game as part of a previous sanction for disorder at Benfica this month.

No arrests were immediately reported but Ajax fans were also the target of flares thrown by AEK fans, with one seen brazenly launching a missile into the stands in plain view of riot police standing nearby. 

He was then filmed running away from the scene as Ajax fans threw the firework away from danger and into an empty block of seats. 

The authorities managed to curb the disorder in time for kick-off, meaning the match went ahead as planned, though a series of firecrackers were heard exploding just after the start of the second half. 

Riot police were deployed as the build-up to the match was marred by violent clashes 

Riot police were deployed as the build-up to the match was marred by violent clashes 

A supporter is pictured throwing a flare towards the stands before the match in Greece

A supporter is pictured throwing a flare towards the stands before the match in Greece

But earlier riot police had entered the away end, brandishing batons and shields and leaving a number of fans with blood pouring down his face.

As anarchy reigned before kick-off, even players tried to intervene to keep a lid on proceedings.  

Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt was pictured over towards the away end to try and prevent further violence. Players from both sides were seen to be rubbing their eyes as smoke drifted across the Athens Olympic Stadium. 

Though they were surrounded by row upon row of empty seats, Ajax supporters could be seen crammed inside a small section of the stadium. 

Riot police, wearing helmets and carrying shields, entered the stands to confront Ajax fans

Riot police, wearing helmets and carrying shields, entered the stands to confront Ajax fans

The authorities try to keep a lid on the disturbances as smoke fills the air in the Greek capital

The authorities try to keep a lid on the disturbances as smoke fills the air in the Greek capital

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk