Euro 2012: FA to contest Uefa claims over fans’ conduct in Sweden game

THe Football Association are set to contest a charge that England fans attempted a pitch invasion during their European Championship victory over Sweden.

It is understood that the FA planned yesterday afternoon to submit written evidence in a bid to escape punishment ahead of a Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body hearing on Wednesday.

European football’s governing body took action against the FA yesterday, charging them with the “inappropriate conduct” of their supporters during Friday’s Group D 3-2 win in Kiev.

England’s second and third goals at the Olympic Stadium resulted in around 20-30 fans surging forward towards the barriers. But it is understood the FA will argue there was no intent to invade the pitch, simply supporters showing their exuberance after watching their side recover from a 2-1 deficit.

Written submissions will include evidence from UK police and the FA’s own fans’ liaison representative, while they could also point to the report of Uefa’s delegate at the game which labelled the conduct of England supporters as “satisfactory”.

Croatia were last week fined £20,298 over the behaviour of their fans at their opening Euro 2012 game against Republic of Ireland, which included a pitch invasion.

Any fine for the FA would likely be much smaller.