Officers hurt in match violence

The majority of fans were well-behaved, said police

Several police officers were attacked when trouble flared at Middlesbrough's 8-1 defeat of Manchester City.

Seats were ripped off and used as weapons while police tried to restrain a visiting fan who had removed a safety barrier, said the Cleveland force.

But fans claim the trouble started when police grabbed the man after he was pushed onto the pitch.

Some officers suffered minor injuries and one was treated for a hand wound in Sunday's violence at the Riverside.

Match Commander Supt Martin Campbell said: "It appears that towards the end of the game a visiting fan removed a 4ft long metal safety barrier which was in place to prevent access to the pitch.

"Fearing that it could be used as a weapon or to gain access on to the playing area, an officer removed this barrier and a skirmish then took place, spreading into other areas of the crowd.

"At this point officers began to come under attack as seats were pulled off and a number of police officers were struck by seats, one fully in the face."

Police reinforcements were then called to restrain the "small minority" of fans, he added.

Dave Wallace, editor of Manchester City fanzine King of the Kippax, said: "I was at the Riverside but I left when the sixth goal went in so I did not see the violence, but from what I heard it kicked off after a policeman grabbed a lad who had been shoved on to the pitch.

"After that some of the other City supporters joined in. They were trying to help him."

Seven Manchester City fans were arrested for public order offences, said Cleveland Police.