UEFA investigates fight after Valencia-Inter Milan match

UEFA will investigate the wild brawl that followed the Champions League match between Valencia and Inter Milan, leaving one player with a broken nose.

Photo: UEFA investigates fight after Valencia-Inter Milan match

UEFA said Wednesday its Control and Disciplinary body will announce any possible suspensions and fines at its meeting on March 22.

"We hope the sanctions will be minimal," Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores said. "The tension of football generates these situations and affects our good sense."

The fighting broke out after the 0-0 draw at the Mestalla Stadium on Tuesday, a result which put Valencia into the quarterfinals on the away-goals rule after the 2-2 draw in the first leg in Milan two weeks ago.

As the final whistle blew, Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso attacked Valencia defender Carlos Marchena, sparking the brawl. Valencia unused substitute David Navarro then charged onto the field and punched Burdisso. Inter players Julio Ricardo Cruz, Ivan Cordoba, and Maicon then aimed kicks at Navarro as he ran away.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini said Burdisso sustained a broken nose from Navarro's punch.

Navarro said he would apologize to Burdisso, the AP says.

"I saw that they were trying to attack a teammate, and I lost my nerve," Navarro said. "I have never behaved in this fashion before, and I will never do it again. I am very sorry and ashamed."

The melee continued in the stadium tunnel, with several Inter players - including Cruz and Esteban Cambiasso - having to be restrained by stadium security and the Spanish Civil Guard from entering the Valencia dressing room.

Inter manager Roberto Mancini called Navarro "a coward."

"There's nothing else you can say about someone who throws a punch like that then runs away," Mancini said. "But it was the Valencia players who went out to strike Burdisso. Everyone just went crazy."

Inter president Massimo Moratti said he would not take the matter any further, the AP reports.

"The UEFA delegate will do what he has to do," he said.

Six yellow cards were given out in the tense match and both teams made hard challenges in the final minutes, leading to late pushing.