London: European soccer's governing body (Uefa) has opened disciplinary proceedings against Everton after one of the club's fans tried to punch an Olympique Lyon player in a melee that broke out during Thursday's Europa League game at Goodison Park.
Merseyside Police are also investigating the brawl on the pitch between players from both teams, while Everton have banned one individual.
"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the Uefa Europa League group stage match between Everton FC and Olympique Lyon (1-2), played on 19 October in England," UEFA said in a statement on Friday.
The governing body added that the English club had been charged with "Aggressions by supporters against players" under Article 16 (2) (H) of its disciplinary regulations.
Everton captain Ashley Williams sparked off the trouble in the 64th minute when he shoved Anthony Lopes into the advertising hoardings after the Lyon goalkeeper had collected the ball from a corner.
An all-out melee ensued with players from both sides getting involved, while at least one fan behind the goal was caught on video throwing punches at a Lyon player before stewards intervened.
Everton issued a statement saying they had banned an individual from future matches after reviewing footage of the incident and would be making a formal complaint to Merseyside Police.
The force said its detectives would review footage and speak to witnesses to establish what, if any, offences had been committed.
Everton badly needed a win against Lyon after taking one point from their previous two games but they went behind in the sixth minute to a penalty by Nabil Fekir. Ashley Williams headed them level in the 69th minute. Everton nearly went ahead when a Gilfi Sigurdsson free-kick came off the far post but former Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore struck to restore Lyon's lead.
Arsenal top Group H with a maximum nine points from three games after beating 10-man Red Star Belgrade 1-0 thanks to an acrobatic late goal by Olivier Giroud. "It was a very difficult game amid high and heated intensity," said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger.
