UEFA charges Lyon, Besiktas after tie marred by violence in stands

Olympique Lyonnais and Besiktas JK are under the microscope after violence marred a match at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

On Friday, UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Lyon and Besiktas, announcing charges against the two clubs after violence erupted in the stands prior to the first leg of the their tie in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Kick-off was moved back by 45 minutes as punches, projectiles, and firecrackers were thrown, and supporters were forced on to seek refuge on the pitch for safety.

Lyon went on to win the game 2-1 through late goals from Corentin Tolisso and Jeremy Morel.

The charges against Lyon include:

• Setting off of fireworks
• Stairways blocked
• Insufficient organisation
• Field invasion by supporters after the second goal of Olympique Lyonnais

The charges against Besiktas include:

• Setting off of fireworks
• Throwing of objects
• Crowd disturbances

Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon's president who went into the crowd in an effort to calm the tension, told Agence France-Presse he is seeking reassurances from UEFA over whether the second leg of the tie can be played after the violence.

"I do not know what to do - to play behind closed doors or elsewhere," Aulas said, per the Guardian's Mark Dobson. "But it would be very dangerous for us to face this opponent with the same supporters as tonight. For now, we are not very reassured about how things can happen."

Supporters of Besiktas who had travelled from Germany reportedly smashed a pair of glass doors at Lyon's club shop after they were turned away for tickets.

Here's video of violence: