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Europa League: UEFA open proceedings against Tottenham over pitch invasions

Tottenham Hotspur: UEFA has opened proceedings against Spurs after pitch invaders disrupted play
Image: Tottenham Hotspur: UEFA has opened proceedings against Spurs after pitch invaders disrupted play

UEFA has opened proceedings against Tottenham after pitch invaders halted play in the Europa League match against Partizan Belgrade at White Hart Lane.

Play was held up 41 minutes into Thursday night's Group C clash after individuals encroached onto the pitch on three separate occasions in what has been revealed to be a stunt by YouTube video pranksters.

Play was subsequently suspended, with players forced to walk off the pitch and back down the tunnel. 

Tottenham eventually emerged 1-0 victors, courtesy of Benjamin Stambouli's goal, but their win has been overshadowed as the club now faces disciplinary action under the field invasion section of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations. 

Players and officials head down the tunnel as play is stopped due to a third pitch invader
Image: White Hart Lane: Play was suspended in first half

No charges have been laid against the two Spurs players, Mousa Dembele and Roberto Soldado, who stopped the invaders.

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The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on December 11.

In a similar incident, UEFA recently imposed a charge on Swiss side FC Basel for "breaching security regulations" after two fans walked on to the pitch in the Champions League match against Real Madrid at St Jakob-Park.