UEFA act against Anderlecht over crowd trouble

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Anderlecht following the ugly scenes against Tottenham when Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by lighter thrown from the crowd.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson also picked up a metal rod which he handed to the fourth official after the final whistle of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels.

'UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Anderlecht for the throwing of objects by spectators,' said a UEFA spokesman.

The Belgian side have already been fined for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier earlier in the season against Fenerbahce and UEFA officials will take previous cases into consideration when they meet.

The punishments range from a fine to expulsion from the tournament.

'The control and disciplinary body will meet on December 13 to make a decision on this case,' the spokesman added.

Zokora claimed afterwards that he was targeted as he used to play for Anderlecht's rivals Genk at the start of his career, yet he also had cause for celebration as the point earned Spurs a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Should they stay in the tournament, Zokora believes beating them at Eastlands in the final next May would be a fitting way to answer the hooligans.

'It would be great to face Anderlecht in the final and get some kind of revenge,' he said. 'That's football.'

Zokora is also braced for the fight to get Spurs away from the Premier League relegation zone.

The 26-year-old Ivory Coast international hopes to take the confidence of reaching the next stage of the UEFA Cup into the Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

'It's different, the Premier League is a very quick game whereas in the UEFA Cup you have a lot of time on the ball,' he said. 'I was happy for us to get a point in Belgium because this will give us confidence before we play Manchester City, a big team, at home.'

He added: 'Maybe when we play at home we suffer from stress because the fans want us to win so much.

'I am sure Tottenham will come back. If we win two or three games the confidence will come back quickly.'

Spurs head coach Juande Ramos was hit by Real Betis fans when he was at Sevilla and although he did not see Zokora struck, the Spaniard said: 'This is very bad for the players and those who work in football.

'We have to be left in peace on the pitch and you can't have objects thrown because somebody could get hurt.'