Tottenham fans fought with Spanish police in riot gear Thursday
night during the English team's UEFA Cup quarterfinal at
Sevilla.
Seven fans of the London club were reportedly hospitalized ?a
mostly with cuts to their heads. A policeman also was reported to
have been injured in the disturbances.
The violence appeared to begin at about the 30th minute of
Sevilla's come-from-behind 2-1 win, after the home team tied the
game on a disputed penalty kick by former Tottenham player Frederic
Kanoute. Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was called for a foul
in the 18th for taking down Adriano Correia. Television replays
showed Robinson got a hand to the ball before making contact with
Adriano.
Fans ripped up plastic seats at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
stadium and hurled them at police, who then hit spectators with
night sticks. Before the match, about 50 Tottenham fans reportedly
clashed with police outside the stadium.
On Wednesday, Italian police clashed with Manchester United fans
during its Champions League match at AS Roma.
Sevilla, the defending UEFA Cup champion, got a go-ahead goal
from Alexander Kerzhakov in the 36th. Robbie Keane scored for Spurs
in the second minute.
Two other Spanish teams came away with first-leg victories.
Osasuna won 3-0 at Bayer Levekusen and Espanyol won 3-2 at Benfica.
In the other game, Werder Bremen tied 0-0 at the Netherlands' AZ
Alkmaar.
Second legs of the total-goals series are scheduled for next
Thursday.
(China Daily via AP April 6, 2007)