UEFA has announced it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool over the throwing of objects at the Manchester City team bus as it arrived at Anfield on Wednesday night.
They have been charged with four offences including setting off fireworks, acts of damage and crowd disturbances.
City’s coach was bombarded with bottles, firecrackers, flares and other heavy objects when it became stuck in a bottleneck on Arkles Lane en route to Anfield.
Liverpool fans threw bottles, rocks and fireworks at the Manchester City coach
UEFA have launched into an investigation into the incident on Wednesday night
Yet the date for the case to be heard has been set for May 31, five days after the final of the competition in Kiev.
The bus had at least one window smashed on the journey to the stadium and was deemed unusable for the return trip.
A UEFA statement said: ‘This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 31 May.’
The bus was forced to take a different route from usual due to building work and scaffolding on Walton Lane.
Usually for a European clash the away coach would come up from the Titanic Hotel, turn right off Walton Lane and head up past the King Harry pub towards Anfield.
The windscreen and the driver’s window were damaged after missiles were thrown at bus
Liverpool issued a statement condemning the ugly scenes before the Champions League tie
City’s team bus received a raucous reception as it arrived at the ground just after 6:30pm
Building work and scaffolding meant the route was changed by police in an attempt to ensure fan safety.
It went instead around Stanley Park and up Arkles Lane, entering Anfield Road from the opposite direction.
As it reached the Arkles Pub it would then turn right onto Anfield Road and enter the stadium from that direction.
But it was when it reached the pub that complications arose. The coach had to slow down in order to turn around a really tight bend to reach Anfield Road.
It was forced to stop and effectively became a sitting duck, with the bulk of missiles thrown at the coach from there.
Supporters had gathered near theground more than two-and-a-half hours before kick off
Liverpool fans set off flares and smoke bombs as they created a hostile atmosphere
Liverpool were left embarrassed by the episode and swiftly issued a statement.
It read: ‘The club condemns in the strongest possible terms the scenes which preceded our Champions League quarter-final, which resulted in damage being inflicted on the Manchester City team bus during their arrival at Anfield.
‘We apologise unreservedly to Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident. The behaviour of a number of individuals was completely unacceptable and the club will cooperate fully with the authorities to identify those responsible.
‘The priority now is to establish the facts and offer Manchester City whatever support is necessary.’
Merseyside Police also revealed that two of their officers were injured by projectiles.
Lining the streets around Anfield has become common practice at Liverpool
The City team bus was given a police escort around the streets of Liverpool on Wednesday
Match Commander Superintendent Paul White said: ‘We are aware that damage was caused to the Manchester City team bus as it approached Anfield stadium this evening ahead of the Liverpool v Manchester City match.
‘Thankfully no-one on the bus was injured, but injuries were caused to two of our officers when projectiles were thrown towards the bus. The officers and stewards are there to protect the public and keep them safe.
‘This behaviour by a number of people who threw bottles, cans and pyrotechnics towards the bus is completely unacceptable and we will conduct enquiries to identify who was responsible and bring them to justice.
‘We worked very closely with both clubs to ensure the safety of the public and the teams themselves, and it is disappointing to see that a number of people behaved in this appalling way.’
The bus carrying Pep Guardiola and his men to Anfield was attacked by home fans