Boro fan held over stadium riot

Riot police used pepper spray to keep rival fans apart

A 21-year-old Teesside man is in custody in Switzerland after violence between rival football fans left a steward with serious head injuries.

Middlesbrough fans travelled to Basel on Thursday for their Uefa Cup quarter-final, which they lost 2-0.

More than 1,200 visiting supporters were praised for their pre-match behaviour, but violence flared later when Boro fans breached barriers.

Earlier this month three Boro fans were stabbed during trouble in Italy.

Pepper spray

The man in custody, who has not yet been named, is from the Port Clarence area of Middlesbrough.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said Middlesbrough fans crossed segregation lines in the stadium concourse and began fighting with local supporters shortly after the home side scored two goals in the space of three minutes.

Stewards wearing riot gear and armed with pepper spray were sent in and at least one suffered serious injuries.

Several fans were treated for the effects of pepper spray.

Earlier this month three Boro fans were stabbed and at least 10 others injured ahead of Middlesbrough's Uefa Cup clash against AS Roma.