Friday 15 September 2017 23:23, UK
Cologne have criticised "inadequate" security measures at the Emirates after crowd issues in their Europa League tie with Arsenal.
Arsenal have announced they are undertaking a full review into the events on Thursday, and said "the safety of everyone in and around Emirates Stadium is always our paramount consideration".
Cologne have condemned the incidents, which saw the game kick off an hour late, but believe it would have been "sensible" for the German side to be given more than their 3,000-seat allocation, with another 17,000 of the club's supporters understood to have made the trip to London.
"Due to the enormous demand for tickets, it would have been sensible, not least for security reasons, to allow more than the allocated five per cent of stadium capacity to the guest fans," a Cologne statement read.
"It was apparent that thousands of people from Cologne would seek to avoid the restrictions and get tickets in every way possible.
"One such way would be through the help of Arsenal supporters, who passed on their tickets to the FC fans. Some as gifts, but some also for horrendous prices."
Arsenal have acknowledged a number of away supporters had gained access to home sections "illegally, most likely via ticket touts".
The Premier League club also confirmed that anyone who became an Arsenal member after the UEFA Europa League draw would not have been eligible to buy tickets through their box office or ticket exchange services.
The safety of everyone in and around Emirates Stadium is always our paramount consideration.
An Arsenal statement read: "Any tickets found that have been sold or purchased illegally will be traced back to the original purchaser who will have their membership cancelled and the appropriate action taken.
"We are satisfied that the joint decision to delay the match by one hour and play with a 9.05pmkick-offf was the best and safest option. This was the first time in 20 years of European competition we have had to take such an action. Ultimately the match passed off safely."
Cologne insist they, along with Arsenal, urged fans to purchase tickets only through official channels, and although the club believe the match going ahead was the correct decision, they questioned the security measures in place.
"Despite the tremendous experience of both the London security forces and Arsenal as a permanent partaker in European football, the organisers were unfortunately not adequately prepared for the task," the statement continued.
"In our view, the security concept and communication seemed inadequate and the police force too small.
In our view, the security concept and communication seemed inadequate and the police force too small.
"The most important common goal of having the match played on the same evening was achieved by allowing fans with valid tickets to quickly take their seats. This procedure proved to be the correct decision. Finally, the course of the match showed that the mixing of home and away fans did not constitute a safety risk for this match."
Cologne apologised to Arsenal for "a group of so-called disturbers" which they said "threatened, insulted, and even attacked stewards and police officers without cause".
However, the Bundesliga side remained adamant they were not responsible for this minority.
The statement continued: "These people are solely responsible for the fact that a football match with a special meaning for an entire region, as well as the courageous effort of our team on the pitch, had to be overshadowed by scenes that had nothing to do with sport and fair play."
Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend as part of a Super Sunday double-bill. Coverage of Chelsea v Arsenal begins at 12:30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, followed by Manchester United v Everton.
