Witness: Cops used Taser, pepper spray on U-20 team

TORONTO (Reuters) -- World soccer body FIFA may take disciplinary action against Chile's Under-20 soccer team after clashes with Canadian police late Thursday, while Chile's president called the police action "unjustified aggression."

The brawl took place shortly after Chile suffered a bitter 3-0 defeat to Argentina in a semi-final game at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Toronto.

"FIFA will now make a disciplinary investigation and take adequate actions against the behavior of the players and the officials of this selection, Chile," FIFA chief Sepp Blatter told CBC Television on Friday.

Toronto police briefly detained all 21 players after a tussle outside the stadium.

Witnesses reported police used electric-shock guns and pepper spray against the athletes, prompting Santiago to file a formal complaint through diplomatic channels.

"The incident is especially serious because, in our opinion, the Chilean delegation suffered unjustified aggression," President Michelle Bachelet said.

The incident came just two days after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met in Santiago with Bachelet to bolster political and economic ties.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair defended his officers, who he said stepped in when a Chilean team member began to argue with a rival fan. He said the Chileans then turned their aggression toward police.

(Additional reporting by Rodrigo Martinez in Santiago)

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