MADRID, Sept 14, 2010 (AFP) - UEFA has opened an investigation into acts of vandalism by Sevilla supporters during a Champions League qualifying match against Portugal's Braga in August, the Spanish club said Tuesday.

European football's governing body "has opened an investigation to clarify the incident which might result in strong sanctions against Sevilla FC," the club said in a statement on its website.

The board of Sevilla "wants to publicly denounce the dangerous behaviour that had a minority of fans removed in the game against Braga in the 1st leg of the play-offs for the Champions League" on August 18.

The club said it would pay for any damage caused, which included several seats that were broken in the area for the visiting fans.

Braga won the match 1-0, before beating Sevilla 4-3 in the return leg to reach the lucrative Champions League group phase.