KIEV, April 21 (Reuters) - Ukrainian championship leaders Dynamo Kiev could be deducted points after crowd violence marred their 3-0 victory at struggling Naftovyk, a league official said on Monday.
Fans ripped out seats and hurled flares and smoke bombs on
to the field in a match halted three times on Sunday.
'Penalties could be assessed against both clubs, including a
deduction of points,' Ukrainian Professional Football League
(PFL) director Anatoly Popov said in a statement.
'A thorough investigation will be launched to determine who
were the instigators. Only after this will a final decision be
handed down by the PFL.'
No arrests were made but about 50 Dynamo supporters were
injured, according to a fan website.
Local officials said visiting fans were responsible for the
incidents inside the stadium and also later smashed train
windows but Dynamo officials said the violence was caused by
outsiders, several with their faces covered up.
'Attempts were made to disrupt the match, undertaken by
groups having no connection with Dynamo Kiev. As a result of
this outbreak of violence, which police were unable to prevent,
true Dynamo fans were injured,' the club said on their website.
The match was first halted in the 18th minute when a fan ran
on to the pitch. Dynamo players tried to persuade spectators to
return to their seats but they continued to tear them up and
hurl objects on to the field.
Soccer violence is relatively rare in Ukraine as the
ex-Soviet state prepares to jointly host Euro 2012 with Poland,
although last year's cup final between Dynamo and Shakhtar
Donetsk was disrupted by clashes between fans and riot police.
Dynamo have 61 points from 26 matches, two ahead of rivals
Shakhtar who have a game in hand.
