Dortmund, Liverpool hit with UEFA charges

Paris: UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool after Thursday's 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final in Germany.

European football's governing body hit Dortmund with a charge of blocking stairways at their Signal Iduna Park stadium, while Liverpool face punishment after away fans set off fireworks inside the ground.

UEFA also charged Sparta Prague with "crowd disturbances" following their 2-1 defeat at Villarreal in Spain.

"These cases will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 19 May," said UEFA in a statement.