UEFA punishes Besiktas for cat invasion during Champions League match

UEFA failed to see the funny side of a cat invading the pitch during Besiktas’ visit from Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and has charged the Turkish club.

Besiktas also faces disciplinary action for throwing of objects and blocked stairways, but the “insufficient organisation” charge relates to the paws in play.

The feline jumped from an advertising hoarding and trotted around near the corner flag, forcing referee Michael Oliver to temporarily halt the match in the second half.

A post-match poll conducted by Bayern Munich declared the cat as its man of the match, despite Arturo Vidal and Rafinha performing well in a 3-1 victory. Die Roten won the two-legged tie 8-1 on aggregate.