UEFA poised to reject Lille claims

UEFA are expected to reject Lille's protest about the validity of Manchester United's winning goal in their Champions League match this week.

The French club have lodged an official complaint after Ryan Giggs' quick free-kick secured a 1-0 away victory for United in the first leg of their last-16 match in Lens on Tuesday.

UEFA's control and disciplinary panel have not yet made a decision on Lille's protest but are expected to dismiss the claims. It is understood that officials from UEFA will recommend that the disciplinary body is satisfied that Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar made the correct decision in allowing the goal to stand.

Lille also face being fined for the behaviour of their players, who threatened to walk off the pitch after the goal.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have reacted angrily after attempts by French officials to blame the club and their fans for the crowd problems. United believe a tragedy was only narrowly averted after supporters became crushed into a section of the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens.

Lille's director general Xavier Thuilot has pointed the finger at United, claiming their early distribution of tickets allowed high-quality fakes to be produced.

Meanwhile, Damien Vanoise, the head of security at the stadium, has accused United fans of sparking the problems by "violent behaviour".

Vanoise added: "There was not a problem of communication. From the moment we saw the supporters trying to pull on the railings, what interpretation we can make of that, as security guards? For me, it was violent behaviour.

"I can tell you that nobody was crushed in the wire fencing. There weren't too many people in that stand. The stand was not full."

United will answer the allegations fully in their report to UEFA but are privately furious Lille are trying to blame them for their own shortcomings.