UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Atletico Madrid and Bolton after the crowd disturbances which marred their UEFA Cup tie last week.
Fighting broke out inside the Vicente Calderon stadium although the Wanderers fans blamed the Spanish police, insisting their fans had been subjected to “a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game”.
A club statement read: “The directors of Bolton are upset and disturbed at the apparent over-zealous and disproportionate actions of the Spanish police towards our supporters.
“The club’s fans were subjected to a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game, in addition to the aggressive use of police horses to manoeuvre fans towards the stadium.
“Bolton supporters have an impeccable reputation and an excellent record of good behaviour when travelling abroad to European matches, and the club believes the actions of the Madrid police are entirely unacceptable.”
Official reports have been submitted to the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body, which will decide on the matter at its next meeting on Thursday, March 20.
The match ended 0-0, with Bolton going through to the next round 1-0 on aggregate.
Spanish police said the problems at the match were “just the usual at any football game” and refused to respond to Bolton’s allegations.
