Azerbaijani news outlets have used a three-year-old image from Marseille as evidence Arsenal and Chelsea fans were involved in a fight ahead of their Europa League final in Baku.
The websites, Azeri Daily and Haqqin.az, claimed supporters brawled in a park in the city centre on Tuesday evening, leaving one Chelsea fan and a Russian citizen needing treatment for head wounds.
A spokesperson for the Azerbaijani ministry of health reportedly told the outlets the Chelsea supporter was treated at a local hospital and that his condition was “moderate” with “no threat to life”.
But the photo used on both sites to illustrate the articles, which was titled ‘The first fight of the British in Baku’ by Haqqin, actually showed England fans clashing with local youths ahead of a Euro 2016 group stage game between England and Russia.
The Independent was unable to find any other evidence of the alleged fight. Arsenal and Chelsea could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
It comes as footage has emerged showing Azerbaijani police stopping Arsenal fans wearing Henrikh Mkhitaryan shirts ahead of the final, which kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday evening.
Mkhitaryan chose not to travel due to concerns over his safety, owing to tensions between Azerbaijan and his native Armenia.
The issue has become a public relations nightmare for the Azerbaijani authorities, who instead of basking in the PR coup of a major European final, are having to contend with questions about their human rights record.
Azeri Daily and Haqqin.az have been contacted for comment.
