Eintracht Frankfurt thugs have thrown flares at Rangers supporters in Seville after a 200-strong mob of German yobs attacked the Glasgow fans ahead of the Europa Cup final match tonight.
Spanish police said they have arrested five Germans after Eintracht fans, many of whom were wearing balaclavas, began throwing flares at a large group of Rangers fans who were enjoying late-night drinks in Seville on Tuesday night.
Spanish TV footage showed the hooligans brazenly approaching heavily-armed officers standing between them and the Scottish fans before hurling their missiles as extra police reached the scene.
One flare landed inches from the spot where the Rangers supporters were standing, near to Irish bar O’Neills on Paseo de Colon where trouble flared between Eintracht Frankfurt ultras and West Ham fans in March.
One Rangers supporter could be seen picking up a glass and throwing it in the direction of the German hooligans on the other side of the police line.
But police said the problems had been started by around 200 Eintracht Frankfurt fans who had started attacking Rangers fans by Seville Cathedral.
Spanish police said they have arrested five Germans after Eintracht fans, many of whom were wearing balaclavas, began throwing flares at a large group of Rangers fans who were enjoying late-night drinks in Seville on Tuesday night
Spanish TV footage showed the hooligans brazenly approaching heavily-armed officers standing between them and the Scottish fans before hurling their missiles as extra police reached the scene
The Eintracht fans threw flares at Rangers supporters in Seville on Tuesday night
Earlier, footage showed Eintracht fans, many of whom were wearing balaclavas, running through the streets of Seville in search of Rangers fans.
Police reinforcements were quickly mobilised, arriving in several riot vans with their sirens sounding and lights flashing, to restore order and stop the problems worsening.
But some of the Eintracht fans began throwing glasses, flares and tables at police officers. One German fan was later seen being marched away by cops in handcuffs.
Officers confirmed they had to fire warning shots into the air to bring the situation under control.
A Rangers fan suffered head injuries as a result of the clashes. His condition this morning was not known.
A spokesman for Spain’s National Police said: ‘The National Police have arrested five Eintracht Frankfurt supporters for public order offences following the violence overnight in the centre of Seville.
‘The problems occurred around midnight during a mass altercation opposite Seville Cathedral.
‘Rapid police response units who were in San Francisco Square had to intervene to deal with an incident sparked by a group of 200 Eintracht Frankfurt fans who were attacking Rangers supporters.
Spanish police said they have arrested five Germans after Eintracht fans, many of whom were wearing balaclavas, scoured the streets of Seville before attacking Rangers fans
Video footage showed the Frankfurt fans, many of whom were wearing masks to cover their faces, running through the streets of Seville to try and find Rangers fans and start a fight
Police reinforcements were quickly mobilised, arriving in several riot vans with their sirens sounding and lights flashing, to restore order and stop the problems worsening
‘When they saw police arrive, the German fans started to flee in the direction of Paseo Colon, assaulting Rangers supporters as they ran and clashing with police trying to stop the attack on the Rangers fans.
‘At that moment the Eintracht Frankfurt fans began to throw glasses, flares and tables at police officers.
‘When they were 100 metres from the bars on Paseo de Colon where it meets Adriano Street, officers managed to neutralise the situation with a police line formed with riot vans and by firing warning shots in the air.’
The spokesman added: ‘There were no serious injuries as a result of these incidents, except for a Rangers supporter who suffered a head wound.
‘The police arrested four German fans on Paseo de Colon and another German in a square called La Puerta de Jerez.’
Spanish police chiefs admitted yesterday the Europa Cup final represents the ‘most complicated’ challenge they have faced in recent years.
Rangers fans sing songs as they enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the Europa League final on Tuesday night. There is no suggestion the people pictured have caused any trouble
Spanish National Police chief Juan Carlos Castro said the heady mix of sunshine and cold beer could spark booze-fuelled violence, whilst admitting ‘we’re not going to control anything’.
More than 5,500 police and private security guards have been mobilised to help keep the peace as part of an unprecedented security operation in Seville.
They include riot squad cops and bomb disposal experts as well as a unit tasked with monitoring social media for terrorist threats.
Mr Castro admitted the effect of alcohol on the behaviour of both sets of fans was a concern.
He also confessed the amount of construction work going on in the city, including areas near to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium where tonight’s final will be played at 9pm, was a worry.
