VALENCIA, Spain - Valencia's Champions League victory over Inter Milan on
Tuesday was marred by a mass brawl at the final whistle in which the Italian
side's Argentine midfielder Nicolas Burdisso suffered a broken nose.
Inter
Milan and Valencia players fight at the end of their Champions League
soccer match in Valencia March 6, 2007. Valencia clinched a place in the
quarter-finals with a classic "catenaccio" performance when they held
Inter Milan to a 0-0 draw. [Reuters]
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Valencia, who drew 2-2 in the first leg, clinched a place in the
quarter-finals on the away goals rule after holding Inter to a 0-0 draw at the
Mestalla.
But tempers flared at the final whistle with Valencia midfielder Carlos
Marchena kicking out at Burdisso after exchanging words with the Argentine.
The incident sparked the brawl and Valencia substitute David Navarro, who had
not featured in the match, ran on to the middle of the pitch and punched
Burdisso who fell to the ground.
Several Inter players tried to trip up Navarro as he ran off the pitch and
the fighting continued in the tunnel.
Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing room, while
Luis Figo and Inter's Esteban Cambiasso were involved in scuffles as they tried
to follow him with security guards having to intervene.
Local media reported that Navarro was ushered away from the stadium.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini said he was deeply disappointed by the incident.
"A Valencia player went mad when he came on to the pitch and hit Burdisso,"
said Mancini. "He broke Burdisso's nose.
"Toldo saw the incident and it is possible he went into the Valencia dressing
room.
"Players have to learn how to behave on the pitch."
Valencia striker David Villa said it was a shame to have ended the game in
such disappointing fashion.
"It was unnecessary, it was ugly and sad," the Spanish international told
reporters. "At such times when emotions are running high there are some people
who don't know how to control themselves."
Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores said he hoped his team would not receive
a heavy punishment as a result of the incidents.
"There was a problem between Marchena and Burdisso at the final whistle and
Navarro intervened mistakenly," he told reporters. "It was an error by the whole
team to get involved.
"I hope we will be given a minimum punishment and that it will affect the
team as little as possible.
"There was a lot of confusion in the dressing room and people were out of
order. It took a long time for people to calm down, but these things sometimes
happen in football."