Spanish media have hit out at Manchester United and Tottenham fans for being ‘difficult to control’ ahead of the Europa League final, amid reports of clashes between supporters in Bilbao.
An expected total of 80,000 supporters have reportedly flown out to Spain for the game, despite the San Mames having a capacity of 52,114.
Both sets of clubs were allocated 15,000 tickets for the final, with thousands of ticketless fans still opting to descend on the city.
Spanish news agency EFE reported on Tuesday that ‘some fans are already losing control’ in the streets in the centre of Bilbao.
The fans were claimed by the agency to have become ‘difficult to control’, despite the deployment of 2,000 police officers on the eve of the match.
Supporters were claimed to have ‘taken over urban furniture’ in the city, with supporters having been pictured climbing onto traffic lights.
Spanish media have hit out at Man United and Tottenham fans ahead of the Europa League final
An expected total of 80,000 supporters have reportedly flown out to Spain for the final
Two traffic lights were reportedly destroyed by Tottenham fans on Tuesday in the city
The Bilbao-based newspaper El Correo reported that Tottenham fans had ‘destroyed two traffic lights’ and had ‘raised them like a trophy’.
Tottenham supporters had congregated in Pozas, located close to the stadium, while Man United fans were based in Plaza Nueva.
Several Man United fans were reported to have punched another supporter in Plaza Nueva, leading to eight police officers being required to intervene.
Tottenham supporters were claimed to have showered rivals with beer in another incident, while one fan was pictured vomiting in the street.
A fan zone was reported to be calm in El Arenal, with a large police presence said to have been present.
The Basque Government had earlier activated a ‘protection plan’, which has involved ‘monitoring of the situation and responding to scenarios where potential emergencies are anticipated’.
Footage on Tuesday night, showed supporters clashing in San Sebastian, 48 miles away from Bilbao.
Information and video shared by Spanish publication El Diario Vasco claimed the situation escalated at around 9.20pm local time.
The incidents occurred on the eve of the Europa League final in the Spanish city
Tottenham supporters had congregated in Pozas, located close to the stadium
Thousands of fans have descended on Bilbao despite not having tickets for Wednesday’s tie
Both Man United and Tottenham were allocated 15,000 tickets for the Europa League final
Man United fans were based in Plaza Nueva on Tuesday night as the build-up continued
One supporter was pictured vomiting in the street amid the festivities in the Basque city
According to witness accounts, the incident started with shouts and insults, before one punch caused one fan to fall to the ground.
A number of fans then appeared to begin throwing objects, with tables also overturned before police arrived, with officers remaining in the area.
An ambulance was also reportedly dispatched to treat anyone necessary, but, after a few minor treatments, it was reportedly not deemed necessary to take anyone to hospital.
A police spokesperson, however, confirmed on Wednesday morning that no arrests have been made in either Bilbao or San Sebastian.
‘In relation to the incidents arising out of the celebration of the Europa League final we have no information on any serious occurrences,’ the spokesperson said.
‘No one has been seriously injured and there have been no arrests so far.
‘It’s true there was a fight in San Sebastian’s Old Town which started for reasons that are still being investigated and which involved the throwing of missiles by two rival groups.
‘But that incident didn’t lead to any arrests.’
A fan zone was reported to be calm in El Arenal, with a large police presence said to have been present
The Basque Government reportedly deployed around 2,000 police officers ahead of the final
Both sets of fans are hoping their club end dismal domestic seasons with European glory
Man United and Tottenham fans have clashed in San Sebastian, located 48 miles from Bilbao
Police have confirmed, however, that no arrests were made despite the incident
Spurs and United are bidding for European glory as they look to save their disastrous seasons
The final will take place at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday evening
Both Man United and Tottenham fans have travelled to Bilbao hoping their teams can rescue dismal seasons by securing European glory.
The two clubs head into the final amid disastrous Premier League campaigns, which see them lie 16th and 17th in the table.
Tottenham would end a 17-year trophy drought with victory.
Victory for either Ruben Amorim or Ange Postecoglou’s sides will come with the added incentive of qualification for next season’s Champions League, making the match reportedly worth around £100m.
