Football fans in clashes as violence mars game

Published on 06/04/2007 01:15

ENGLISH football fans were involved in violence at a European stadium for the second night in a row yesterday after trouble broke out at the UEFA Cup game between Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla.

Several Tottenham fans were injured as they battled with riot police in the stands at the match in Seville, while one policeman was reportedly taken to hospital. UEFA, European football's governing body, said it would be investigating the clashes.

It is already looking into the trouble that marred Manchester United's Champions League match against Roma in Italy the previous night, when 11 of the visiting team's fans were taken to hospital.

Last night's trouble erupted less than half an hour into the game in a stand housing the 4,000 Spurs supporters at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Riot police had already been deployed but reinforcements were added after Sevilla took the lead in the 36th minute.

Seats were ripped up and punches thrown as riot police battled with the fans, with pictures showing at least one supporter suffering from a head injury.

The situation settled after riot police left the area at the start of the second half. But there were reports afterwards that eight people were taken to hospital - seven Spurs fans and a policeman.

UEFA communications director William Gaillard said: "Any incidents of crowd trouble will be investigated."

Earlier, police were also needed to separate both sets of supporters outside the ground before the game, which Sevilla won 2-1.