Violence casts a shadow over Champions League

Stadium stewards (in orange) separate Galatasaray fans (on right) from the Paris St Germain fans (top left) after fighting broke out in the stands during their Champions League Group B soccer match at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on Tuesday. Fans clashed in the stands during the second half of play and the match was stopped until order was restored.

LONDON - More than 50 fans were injured, and 17 taken to hospital when violence broke out among the crowd watching a Champions League match between Paris St Germain (PSG) and Turkish club Galatasaray on Tuesday.

In all, 55 French fans and one Turkish fan were hurt. Among the injured were four stewards employed to maintain crowd control and safety.

The fighting, which broke out in three different sections at the Parc des Princes, halted the match for 20 minutes with Portuguese referee Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira ordering the players of both sides into the dressing rooms until the mayhem subsided.

PSG, 2-0 up when the fighting began, went on to win the match without adding to their score, although they did have midfielder Pierre Ducrocq sent off three minutes from time.

The fighting was the latest incident involving Galatasaray fans in the last 12 months.

Last April, two Leeds United fans were murdered in Istanbul on the eve of a UEFA Cup match with Galatasaray and there were violent outbreaks between Galatasaray fans and those from Arsenal when those two clubs met in the UEFA Cup final in Copenhagen last May.

UEFA have promised a full inquiry into the outbreak which overshadowed a make-or-break night for various clubs in the competition.

Paris St Germain president Laurent Perpere blamed Galatasaray fans for the crowd violence, but admitted his club's lack of effective security also played a role.

"It was deplorable and we regret this happened," he said. "We knew it was a risky match and we met with police last week to work out security measures."

"It was clear to me that not all the Turkish fans were in the stand that was reserved for them - and when it was 2-0 in the second half they became angered by the score."

"That said, we are responsible for security in the stadium and we accept that responsibility."

Crowd violence has been rare in France in recent seasons.

The PSG coach and players were delighted by their first victory of the second-phase, even though they still finished bottom of group B.

"We did our homework and we deserved to win in the end," said PSG coach Luis Fernandez. "We had a great first half, but we defended well, too."

"Above all, we wanted to prove that PSG can compete in Europe in the years to come," he said.

Striker Laurent Leroy said the Paris side had played to enjoy the match.

"We had nothing to lose tonight and the victory was good for everyone," he said.

(Agencies via Xinhua)