More Violence In Europe

There was yet more violence last night, this time at the Uefa Cup clash between the current holders, Spanish side Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur.

The game itself ended in a 2 - 1 home win for Sevilla, after Spurs had scored a vital away goal through Robbie Keane after only a couple of minutes. However, following the violence on the terraces, Spurs have accused the Spanish police of hitting a disabled fan during Thursday’s Uefa Cup tie in Seville.

It was the second night in a row where local Police have attacked English fans. “Riot” police charged the Spurs supporters half way through the first half of the match as trouble broke out inside the ground.

Spurs club secretary John Alexander has said: “We know one disabled fan was hit with a baton with such force that it knocked him out of his wheelchair.”

Uefa has pledged an investigation but government official Faustino Valdes said drunken Spurs fans were to blame. Well he would do wouldn’t he!

Tottenham have offered their full support to the authorities with the investigation.

“Our initial reports suggest there was no fan-to-fan fighting at any stage of the proceedings,” said a Spurs statement.

“As such we are seeking explanations as to why the police reacted in the way they did with our fans.

“Tottenham supporters have enjoyed an exemplary reputation across Europe this season which is why tonight’s events are unprecedented.

“We will be co-operating fully with Uefa, the British Embassy and the Spanish authorities to understand why this has happened.”

The Spanish police felt it necessary to intervene midway through the first half after the Spurs fans voiced their displeasure at a rather contentious and poor penalty decision the referee awarded Sevilla. The penalty was coolly converted by the ex Spurs forward, Fredi Kanoute.

Unfortunately, the fighting continued during the half-time interval but died down when Spurs officials persuaded the Spanish authorities to take the police out of the away section in the second half. Many Spurs supporters have accused police of over-reacting. I’m afraid I can see why.

“It had been a perfect day up to then but was was spoilt by some over-zealous police officers, who started throwing their weight around, for want of a better term,” said Daniel Wynne, of Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust.

“After the penalty, a couple of fans got a bit excited about that but nothing more than shouting at the pitch. There was no violence.

“Spurs fans weren’t causing any trouble. The police went over and above acting as stewards.”

However, Senor Valdes, the Spanish government’s representative in Seville said: “We have two police who have suffered some serious blows and we also have arrested some (seven) Tottenham fans who should be now appearing in court.”

“Some Tottenham fans under the influence of alcohol attacked the private security officers and police, there were some incidents as security tried to overcome the fans and nothing more.”

“It was an incident surrounding a few people who behaved badly, probably because they had drunk too much.”

Uefa has launched investigations into both this and what happened the previous night in Rome, but communications director William Gaillard said possible sanctions for any of the clubs involved had not been discussed, stating, “Any talk of sanctions is pure speculation, it has not been discussed.”

“The control and disciplinary body is a a fully independent body and we and they will look at the evidence.”

It will be extremely interesting to see what, if anything Uefa do about these heavy handed Police tactics. I, for one, am not holding my breath. Uefa are usually particularly good at being totally ineffective in such matters but no doubt the English clubs will be in for some form of punishment and the Police and their tactics praised!

Call me cynical if you want, but let’s see, shall we?

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Many thanks
Rik