Football fans fight running battles in Old Town terror

• The large group of men, believed to be football 'casuals', lined up by police. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The trouble, which broke out in the Canongate in the Old Town, was believed to have been connected with last night's Europa League match between Hibernian and NK Maribor.

The Slovenian team brought a sizeable travelling support with them, and eye-witnesses believed those involved were supporters of the visiting team fighting among themselves.

Several people, including a number of women, were arrested, and one man was taken to hospital with head injuries.

At 6:30pm on the historic road, tourists and residents were forced to flee as a group of about 20 people began attacking each other close to the Pancho Villa's restaurant.

They threw tables, chairs and bottles in a running battle down towards Holyrood, as visitors and residents tried to evade the trouble.

One shocked London tourist, who asked not to be named, said: "It was incredibly intense and aggressive. Really scary. They were getting their hands on anything they could and just chucking at each other, using their belts to whack each other. They were very focused on who they wanted to fight, but it really was a riot.

"I couldn't believe something like this could happen in somewhere like this. I could see the shop owners trying to get their tables and chairs indoors before they could be used as weapons."

One woman spoke of her shock, saying : "I've seen fights before, but never anything like this scale. They were all over the road just hammering at each other, using everything and anything they could find –

I saw one throw a newspaper stand.

"It was terrifying, but it was really strange the way it seemed to start and stop, then start again."

Police said they believed the violence was connected with last night's match between Hibs and Maribor, but could not confirm if both Scottish and Slovenian fans were involved.

Last night, a spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "A number of persons responsible have been identified and detained. Inquiries are ongoing."

On Saturday, police in Falkirk moved swiftly to arrest three visiting fans attending a pre-season friendly match between the home side and Bolton Wanderers. The men were charged with breaching banning orders and face trial in November, after pleading not guilty at Falkirk Sheriff Court.