18.05.2022 11:53 h

Five Frankfurt fans arrested after attack on Rangers supporters

Five Eintracht Frankfurt fans were arrested in Seville on Tuesday night after an attack launched on Rangers supporters ahead of the teams' Europa League final on Wednesday.

Several police vans were called at around midnight to neutralise ugly scenes in the centre of the Spanish city where glasses, flares and tables were being thrown.

There were no serious injuries, a police statement confirmed on Wednesday, although one Rangers fan sustained a head injury.

The statement said: "The events took place around midnight last night, when there was a massive fight in front of the Cathedral of Seville.

"The members of the Police Intervention Units that were located in the Plaza de San Francisco had to intervene quickly to break up an incident caused by a group of 200 Eintracht Frankfurt fans who were attacking Glasgow Rangers supporters."

After seeing police arriving, Frankfurt fans "fled towards Paseo Colon, beating Rangers supporters as they fled and confronting police officers who were trying to prevent the Scottish supporters from attacking.

"The police proceeded to arrest four German fans in the vicinity of Paseo de Colon and another German supporter in Puerta de Jerez."

Estimates suggest Seville will increase its population by a quarter on Wednesday as huge numbers of fans arrive in the city for the final at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Up to 100,000 Rangers fans and at least 60,000 Frankfurt supporters are expected to have followed their teams to the final, raising concerns about security.

Frankfurt fans clashed with West Ham fans in Seville when the former were playing Real Betis and the latter Sevilla in March.

Rangers' last European final the 2008 UEFA Cup against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester was marred by violence as 39 people were arrested and riot police called in.

Police hope to separate fans without tickets for the match on Wednesday night.

Rangers fans not attending the game will be able to watch in a fan zone at La Cartuja stadium, located on the outskirts of Seville and nine kilometres from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Ticketless Frankfurt supporters will be urged to congregate at the Prado de San Sebastian, closer to the centre but six kilometres away from La Cartuja.