Newcastle fans deny causing violence

The violence preceded the Newcastle United match

Newcastle United fans say they were not to blame for violent clashes which marred the team's Uefa Cup tie with Dutch side NAC Breda.

Eighty seven English fans were arrested by Dutch police before the game in Holland on Wednesday night.

Former Newcastle United player John Anderson, who was commentating on the game for BBC Radio Newcastle, said trouble flared when fans from Chelsea and Dutch rivals Feyenoord came together.

But Dutch police believe most fans arrested were Newcastle supporters.

Fans clashed in the town of Breda in an area packed with bars and discos before the game.

The atmosphere throughout seemed to be very good indeed and very friendly, with no sign of what was to come Former Newcastle United player, John Anderson

Fighting broke out and bottles and glasses were thrown, smashing windows.

A group of 77 fans were arrested at one time, and taken by bus to a police prison.

John Anderson said: "What we do know is that Newcastle and Breda fans were initially enjoying themselves in the town.

"There were fans from Chelsea and Feyenoord who appeared and then all hell broke loose.

"This trouble was very much unexpected because we had gone out with some of the Breda fans the previous night and everybody was mixing, with no problems whatsoever.

Organised violence

"The Newcastle fans we have spoken to have told us that this had nothing to do with Newcastle and Breda, it was supporters from other football clubs."

Inspector Willem van Hoedenck, of the local police, said about 94 people were arrested, of whom 87 were English.

He said he believed the majority were from Newcastle, but could not confirm this.

But Mr van Hoedenck said: "I don't think the violence was organised in advance.

"We can't confirm that Chelsea and Feyenoord fans were involved, it is a rumour for the moment.

"The fans we arrested told us they were from Newcastle, but we can't tell if they are lying or not."

Mr van Hoedenck said some of those arrested were being taken by bus to Ostend, before being put on planes back to the UK.

Evenly divided

Northumbria Police said it was working closely with colleagues in Holland and Newcastle United.

The force said it could seek banning orders for those involved.

Inspector Rien van Kuik of the Dutch police added there were reports that 10 people were injured in the violence.

He said: "At first there were 30 Newcastle fans and 30 NAC fans and the police were between them and unable to stop them.

"They tried to stop them but still more fans came when they saw there was trouble. They wanted to see and wanted to fight."

Eventually around 150 officers were struggling to deal with the 400-500 fans involved in the brawl - about evenly divided between English and Dutch supporters.

Newcastle secured their place in the second round of the Uefa Cup by beating Breda 1-0.