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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
GERARD COUZENS & Lynn Love

Spanish cops say no Rangers fans were arrested after Europa League final

Spanish cops confirmed no Rangers fans were arrested in Seville before and after last night's Europa League final.

Police did, however, arrest six Germans after a clash between supporters.

Five hooligans had been held around midnight on Tuesday after launching missiles including flares and bottles at Rangers fans in an unprovoked attack.

They held a sixth Eintracht Frankfurt supporter after the tense penalty shootout.

A spokesman for Spain’s National Police, which spearheaded the pre and post-match security operation with around 3,000 officers, today confirmed: “A sixth German national was held after the game after an altercation with police.

Rangers fans gathered in crowds to watch their club take on Eintracht Frankfurt (Getty Images)

“The five men held on Tuesday night for public order offences were all German nationals as we had already said.

“I can confirm the National Police arrested none of the Rangers fans in Seville before or after the game.”

A well-placed source added: “Police who spent time with the Rangers fans have all said they drank the city dry but were very well-behaved.”

Another police insider confirmed the violence hours before the game when Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers fans were filmed trading punches and throwing chairs at each other in the Seville neighbourhood of San Bernardo, was started by the German’s team’s ultras.

He said: “The violence yesterday was a repeat of Tuesday night with a group of Eintracht Frankfurt hooligans randomly attacking the Rangers fans.

"They were on their way to the stadium and were targeting rival fans as they came across them.

Cops said no Rangers fans were arrested in Seville (PA)

“The vast majority of both teams’ fans have been great and demonstrated exemplary behaviour.

“The problem this time round has definitely been a small number of Eintracht Frankfurt fans who seem to have turned up in Seville looking to pick a fight with the other side.”

Two other police forces, the Civil Guard and local police employed by Seville City Hall, were involved in the security operation involving around 5,500 men and women.

But they are not believed to have made any arrests because of the role they played, which in the case of the Civil Guard involved escorting the two teams from Seville’s San Pablo airport to the city and monitoring social media for terrorist and other threats.

Court officials today confirmed today the five German nationals held around midnight on Tuesday had been released on bail pending an ongoing investigation as it emerged they were set free in time for last night’ match despite earlier reports they would be kept in custody during the final which Eintracht Frankfurt won on penalties following the 1-1 full-time draw.

The sixth detainee has been fined after admitting wrongdoing.

The official said: “The five German nationals held on Tuesday night appeared in court yesterday morning/on Wednesday morning and were bailed pending an ongoing investigation into alleged public order offences.

“They are insisting they are innocent of any wrongdoing.

“There is nothing stopping them from leaving Spain while the criminal probe continues. They have not been asked to pay any bail money or surrender their passports.”

The official added: “The sixth man held appeared in court this morning.

“He admitted a crime of resistance and was ordered to pay £609.

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