BOLTON - UEFA are waiting to receive the report of the match delegate and security officer before deciding whether to take action against what Bolton saw as the "overzealous and disproportionate" mistreatment of their fans by Spanish police.
Wanderers have lodged a complaint with European football's governing body after their fans came in for some rough treatment from police during and after last night's UEFA Cup last 32 second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Spanish police said today the problems at the match were "just the usual at any football game" and refused to respond to Bolton's allegations.
UEFA are not yet able to respond to the complaint until they receive all the relevant reports, which may not reach their headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, until early next week.
Greater Manchester Police, whose Chief Superintendent David Lea was in the Vicente Calderon stadium to witness the Spanish police's behaviour, insist Bolton fans were not at fault and pledged to help the club compile a report to UEFA.
This is not the first time this season complaints have been made about Spanish police at the same venue, with Aberdeen writing to UEFA in November after they felt their fans were mistreated during their group game against Atletico.
UEFA said today they were still investigating the circumstances surrounding that complaint and had not yet decided whether to open disciplinary proceedings.
Bolton complained earlier today that fans were "subjected to a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game", which Wanderers drew 0-0 to advance to the last 16 with a 1-0 aggregate win.
The club statement continued: "Bolton Wanderers has launched an official protest with UEFA and its security delegates, who witnessed the behaviour of the local police force, and the club is currently in liaison with the Greater Manchester Police and the British Embassy to ascertain further information.
"Bolton Wanderers supporters have an impeccable reputation and an excellent record of good behaviour when travelling abroad to European matches, and the club believes the actions of the Madrid police are entirely unacceptable."
GMP indicated their attention to support Bolton's cause and released this statement today: "Following the trouble at the match between Bolton and Atletico Madrid last night, Thursday, 21 February 2008, Greater Manchester Police have been in discussions with the club and Consulate, and will assist in completing a comprehensive report in order to present all the facts to UEFA.
"GMP had a senior police officer present at the match, Chief Superintendent David Lea, who praised the conduct of the fans and has raised his concerns about the conduct of Spanish officers with his counterparts in Madrid.
"Greater Manchester Police works closely with our colleagues in Europe to share best practice for the policing of fixtures."
The British Embassy spokesman told PA Sport: "The Embassy is concerned about last night's incidents and we are continuing to liaise with Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Wanderers FC, and we are awaiting for UEFA's official report before deciding on what course of action to take.
"There are no arrests as far as we know."
The embassy confirmed two fans were taken to hospital and discharged the same day, although it was not known whether these were injuries suffered in relation to the police treatment.
Wanderers will now face Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the last 16.
