The spate of trouble on the field and off at major European games continued Tuesday night when Valencia’s Champions League aggregate victory over Inter Milan was marred by a mass brawl at the final whistle in which Inter’s Argentine midfielder, Nicolas Burdisso, suffered a broken nose.
The brawl had begun on the field when David Navarro, an unused sub for Valencia, ran on to the middle of the field and punched Burdisso, who fell to the ground. Navarro ran off the field, and the fighting continued in the tunnel. Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia locker room, while teammates Luis Figo and Esteban Cambiasso were involved in scuffles as they tried to follow him.
“Players have to learn how to behave on the field,” said Inter coach Roberto Mancini.
It was the second brawl in a major European game in nine days. The English League Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal game ended with three players sent off for fighting.