Video: Man United and Liverpool fans clash at Old Trafford
Mar 18, 2016 at 2:33 PM
A small group of supporters clashed with each other towards the end of the Europa League last-16 second leg tie on Thursday.
Police were literally forced into action during Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford after fights broke out between the rival supporters.
There were several reports of chairs being thrown towards the top tier of the East Stand just before the full-time whistle.
Journalists and fans also claimed ‘scuffles’ and punches being thrown after Manchester United were defeated 3-1 on aggregate in the Europa League fixture, despite drawing 1-1 on the night.
Police later admitted a ‘physical altercation’ with a group of United and Liverpool fans took place during the match.
Officers and stewards are believed to have broken up the altercation very quickly.
Both police and United hierarchy are now likely to go through the CCTV footage in order to find those supporters who were involved.
A number of fans took to social media to claim that even seats were ripped out and thrown on a small portion of fans following the full-time whistle.
Never seen so many smashed seats pic.twitter.com/4jd9uQKlcH
— RobinLFC (@Robish13) March 17, 2016
Images of supporters being restrained by stewards were also seen.
Pictures of broken chairs were posted as well as pictures and images of angry supporters approaching to fight.
Images of Liverpool supporters setting off flares in the stands were also posted along with videos of police and stewards among the crowds in the East stand.
BBC Radio Manchester tweeted: “Stewards and police got all sorts of issues keeping the two sets of fans apart in East Stand. Lots of items including seats being thrown.”
The Times’ Henry Winter posted: “Brief fighting in the home section of OT top tier between #mufc fans & a knot of #lfc fans, who waved a Liverpool flag in that section.”
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police informed: “Just prior to the full-time whistle of the Manchester United versus Liverpool match, police were made aware of a physical altercation between supporters from both sides in a small section of the crowd. “Police and stewards broke up the altercation and enquiries are continuing with those involved.”
It is yet to be confirmed if any arrests have been made.