Local police appear to have used tear gas on black-clad supporters after trouble broke out outside the ground before kick-off during the Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.
Violence erupts before Atlético Madrid match, involving Arsenal fans (Image: X)
Arsenal fans got into trouble outside the Metropolitano Stadium. Disturbing scenes continued into the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, with police spraying tear gas and firing rubber bullets near the stadium.
A witness told Mirror Sport that Atlético fans, all dressed in black, clashed with local police and that trouble broke out outside the ground more than an hour before kick-off. Arsenal fans were then caught up in a commotion as police sprayed tear gas, and there was a distinct odor near the stadium. Fans were forced to cover their mouths with scarves as they made their way to the ground. In other clashes, police fired rubber bullets from their weapons in an attempt to control crowds.
As tear gas and smoke bombs filled the air, some Atlético supporters could be seen raising their hands in the air to deter police from targeting them or attempting to escape by climbing over fences.
Mirror Sports saw video of some of the crowd disturbance outside the ground. Mirror Sports contacted UEFA after the incident.
A large number of fans were present before the match (Image: X)
Clashes between Atlético Madrid fans and police (Image: X)
Atlético also had problems when they welcomed Barcelona to Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. Police were seen hitting supporters with batons and using gas when confronting home fans. A number of supporters were seen receiving treatment for head injuries.
Arsenal will aim to win against Atletico Madrid and advance to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006. The two teams will meet in the first leg of the semi-finals in Madrid.
The Gunners defeated the Spanish giants 4-0 in the group stage in October. Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli and Victor Gokeres all scored, the latter scoring twice.
Follow the Arsenal FB page! For the latest Gunners news and details, visit our dedicated Facebook page.
read more: Arsenal watch out… Atletico Madrid will ride the wave of excitement at the end of an eraread more: Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere gets involved in cheeky ‘management of Tottenham game’ debate
But Atleti coach Diego Simeone was undeterred. He wants to channel the supporters’ energy onto the pitch.
“It is extraordinary that Atlético Madrid can reach the Champions League semi-finals again for the first time in nine years and, if I remember correctly, for the fourth time in 14 years,” Simeone said.
“It’s really amazing. It’s incredible. And I think the faith that our people convey to us, that excitement, that contagiousness, will benefit us a lot.
“We’re going into a tough game against a very good opponent, but like I said at the beginning, our set-piece strategy is working really well and we’re going into it with excitement.
“I always say it’s good to dream, but the reality is what happens on earth. And what happens on earth is what we do and what God wants us to do. That’s what we do.”
“To be honest, there’s no pressure. There’s no pressure. There’s responsibility. There’s excitement that the club is getting closer to bigger goals than it’s ever achieved before. And of course there’s extra excitement.”
“And we have to prepare well. We’re going to play the game we want to play, the game we envision. And like we always say, we’re going to take the game to where we want it so we can do damage to our opponents.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
