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UEFA open disciplinary proceedings against both Linfield and Celtic after match at Windsor Park

Linfield have been charged by UEFA after its fans threw objects including a bottle of Buckfast at Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths. Picture by Matt Bohill
Linfield have been charged by UEFA after its fans threw objects including a bottle of Buckfast at Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths. Picture by Matt Bohill Linfield have been charged by UEFA after its fans threw objects including a bottle of Buckfast at Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths. Picture by Matt Bohill

EUROPEAN football's governing body UEFA has announced that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against both Linfield and Celtic following the sides' clash in Belfast on Friday.

In a statement on its website, UEFA said that each club would face two charges arising out of the game.

Items including a bottle of Buckfast and a cup of coffee were hurled at Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths as he attempted to take a corner, for which Linfield has been charged with the offence of throwing of objects.

An incident at the end of the match has seen charges brought against both teams, when a Linfield supporter made it onto the playing surface at the end of the match as Griffiths tied a Celtic scarf to one of the goalposts.

Linfield has been charged with a field invasion by supporters, while the Celtic striker is accused of provoking spectators after the end of the game.

The second charge against Celtic relates to "improper conduct of the team", which occurs when a side gets five or more cards in the same game.

Five Celtic players in total were booked during the match.

UEFA has said that its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on Thursday.

The clubs could face a fine or be forced to play behind closed doors depending on the outcome of the investigation.

In a statement after Friday's game, Linfield said there will be "serious and lasting consequences" for fans who threw objects at Griffiths.

The second leg of the tie will be played tomorrow evening in Glasgow, with Celtic enjoying a 2-0 lead from the first leg.

Celtic had previously said that it was "not planning" to organise live TV rights for the second leg and the only place to see the game live will be on Celtic's subscription channel, Celtic TV.

Celtic TV showed the first leg live to viewers outside Britain and Ireland, but tomorrow's game will be screened worldwide on the channel.

The Scottish club confirmed last week that all tickets have been sold out for the match, with around 1,500 Linfield fans expected to be in attendance.