United could face UEFA sanction over pitch invaders

Manchester United could be sanctioned by UEFA after three pitch invaders got onto the field as Old Trafford hosted Juventus in the Champions League.

Shortly after play got under way in the Group H encounter, a fan ran across the pitch, with his hand down the back of his trousers, before belatedly being restrained by stewards close to the players.

Two further people made it onto the field at the end of the match as they sought to get close to former United hero Cristiano Ronaldo, who was making his way off the Old Trafford pitch after helping Juventus to a 1-0 win.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed to Press Association Sport that one man in his forties was kept in custody overnight, having been arrested on suspicion of pitch invasion.

In December 2014, Tottenham were fined 15,000 euros (11,870 at that time) by UEFA over the three pitch invasions during the Europa League match against Partizan Belgrade.

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UEFA is waiting for the reports regarding Tuesday’s pitch invasions and the latest knock-on impact of Manchester’s traffic.

United were last week fined 15,000 euros (around 13,000) by UEFA for their late arrival and the subsequent delayed kick-off of their Champions League match against Valencia.

Those issues reappeared on Tuesday, with Juventus arriving 65 minutes before kick-off and United getting to Old Trafford justjust 50 minutes before play got under way. Manager Jose Mourinho decided to walk to the ground.