UEFA announces investigation into Porto denying Inter fans entry

Inter held Porto to a goalless draw to proceed to the Champions League quarter-final on a 1-0 aggregate victory. However, footage emerged on social media showing hundreds of fans being denied to get into Estadio do Dragao.

Porto had announced earlier that Inter fans who had purchased tickets in the home end, even if through the club, would be denied to enter the stadium. However, Inter claimed an agreement was reached if their fans wore neutral colors. As a result, UEFA confirmed on Wednesday that the matter is being investigated.

“UEFA had been made aware that a large contingent of visiting supporters had procured tickets in home sectors of the stadium,"

a spokesperson said.

"The UEFA regulations stipulate that five per cent of the stadium capacity must be provided to the visiting team in a segregated area for their supporters.

"The responsibility for the safe and secure management of spectators and the associated ticketing policy are determined by the match organiser and the relevant authorities.

"Mitigation measures were discussed between both clubs. UEFA is currently looking into the matter."

Inter proceeded to the quarter-final of the tournament as 1-0 aggregate winners. Inter's CEO Beppe Marotta dedicated the result to fans who were unable to get into the ground.

"We celebrate this passage that Inter had not achieved for 12 years, we give the credit to our coach, our players and the fans who were present,"

he told

.

"I also want to spare a thought for circa a thousand fans who were left outside the stadium even after regularly purchasing a ticket.

"I saw footage of families who were locked outside, children crying who had flown here from Italy.

"Football must represent unity and joy, so this is a bitter page in what was otherwise a wonderful evening.

"We had met with the local authorities this morning and they assured us the fans would be allowed in even beyond those limits of the away section. Instead, this did not happen.

"These were for the most part families with children, who certainly weren't here to perpetrate acts of violence, but to support their team.

"I don't believe the situation was so serious as to ban their entry.

"We realise UEFA are not to blame, but we feel that with a formal complaint we can prevent this sort of thing ever happening again."

Follow 

 for the