Greater Manchester Police are working with the Spanish authorities and two participating clubs after crowd trouble last night at the Manchester United versus Real Betis Europa League match in which four visiting supporters were arrested.
Around 3,600 visiting fans attended the fixture at Old Trafford with the vast majority of supporters being very respectful and well behaved in the lead up to and during the game.
Throughout the fixture, a number of flares and pyrotechnics were used inside the stadium by Real Betis supporters and objects thrown across the supporter segregation lines, during which a police officer was injured as a result of a pyrotechnic being thrown by a person in the away section.
A small group of approximately 50 Real Betis supporters engaged in disorder towards the club’s stewards, officers and home fans and additional police officers were deployed as a result inside the stadium to bring the incident under control.
Four Real Betis supporters were arrested for violent disorder, assault, possession of flare inside the stadium and possession of controlled drug. Two of them currently remain in police custody for questioning.
Chief Inspector Jamie Collins said: “The violent disorder experienced does not reflect the majority of supporters attending this fixture who went just to watch the football on the pitch.
“The behaviour by the minority was totally unacceptable and quite shocking for the decent supporters who may have got caught up in this.
“We are also continuing to offer the welfare needed to support one of our colleagues who was injured as a result when trying to keep the public safe.
“GMP are working closely with Manchester United, the UK Football Policing Unit, Real Betis, UEFA and Spanish police colleagues to identify those involved in a post-match investigation which is ongoing.
“If any supporters from Manchester United or Real Betis and those attending the game have any information or footage that can assist with enquiries, they are asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 as soon as possible so we can bring those responsible to justice and also to seek, where possible, football banning orders.”