UEFA investigate Europa Conference League final with West Ham facing two charges
UEFA have announced they are investigating a number of potential breaches of their rules during the Europa Conference League final, with West Ham facing two charges.
"Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in accordance with Article 55 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) following the UEFA Europa Conference League final match between ACF Fiorentina and West Ham United FC (1-2) played on 7 June 2023 in Prague, Czechia," a statement from the organisation read.
"Charges against ACF Fiorentina: 1) Throwing of objects, Art. 16(2)(b); 2) Lighting of fireworks, Art. 16(2)(c). Charges against West Ham United FC: 1) Invasion of the field of play, Art. 16(2)(a); 2) Throwing of objects, Art. 16(2)(b). The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course."
The second charge relates to Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi getting hit by cups of beer during the first-half of the final. West Ham quickly condemned the incident and insisted that any person identified as throwing objects would face an indefinite ban.
"West Ham United unreservedly condemn the behaviour of a small number of individuals who threw objects onto the pitch during tonight's UEFA Europa Conference League final," the Premier League club said in a statement.
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"These actions have no place in football and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.
Fiorentina have also been charged after their fans set off fireworks"In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be given an indefinite ban and therefore be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the club."
Fiorentina were left furious by the incident and insisted that it had a negative affect on their team's performance.
"This unacceptable behaviour obviously affected the performance of the footballer and his team mates, who had their attention drawn away from footballing matters by the threats to their own safety," Fiorentina said.
"The club is certain that UEFA (European soccer's governing body) will thoroughly evaluate the incident and duly punish those responsible for this act, delivering an appropriate response and setting an example so that such situations never occur again."
Charges were also brought against Sevilla and Roma following last week's Europa League final, meaning it could be a busy summer for UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body. Prague police also announced that 16 Fiorentina fans were arrested before Wednesday's game amid some violence on the city's streets.
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