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Friday, 6 April 2007, 14:21 GMT 15:21 UK

Tottenham accuse Spanish police

Trouble flares at Sevilla's stadium Tottenham have accused Spanish police of hitting a disabled fan during Thursday's Uefa Cup tie in Seville.

Riot police charged away fans midway through the first half of the match as trouble broke out inside the ground.

Spurs club secretary John Alexander said: "We know one disabled fan was hit with a baton with such force that it knocked him out of his wheelchair."

Uefa has pledged an investigation but government official Faustino Valdes said drunken Spurs fans were to blame.

Tottenham have offered their full support to the authorities.

"Our initial reports suggest there was no fan-to-fan fighting at any stage of the proceedings," said a club statement.

606: DEBATE

"As such we are seeking explanations as to why the police reacted in the way they did with our fans.

"Tottenham supporters have enjoyed an exemplary reputation across Europe this season which is why tonight's events are unprecedented.

"We will be co-operating fully with Uefa, the British Embassy and the Spanish authorities to understand why this has happened."

The police intervened midway through the first half as the away fans voiced their anger at a contentious penalty won by Sevilla.

The fighting continued into the half-time interval but died down when Spurs officials persuaded the Spanish authorities to take the police out of the away section in the second half.

Many Spurs supporters have accused police of over-reacting.

"It had been a perfect day up to then but was was spoilt by some over-zealous police officers, who started throwing their weight around, for want of a better term," said Daniel Wynne, of Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust.

"Any talk of sanctions is pure speculation"
Uefa spokesman

"After the penalty, a couple of fans got a bit excited about that but nothing more than shouting at the pitch. There was no violence.

"Spurs fans weren't causing any trouble. The police went over and above acting as stewards."

However, Senor Valdes, the Spanish government's representative in Seville said: "We have two police who have suffered some serious blows and we also have arrested some (seven) Tottenham fans who should be now appearing in court."

"Some Tottenham fans under the influence of alcohol attacked the private security officers and police, there were some incidents as security tried to overcome the fans and nothing more."

"It was an incident surrounding a few people who behaved badly, probably because they had drunk too much."

The scenes followed violent clashes between fans and police in Manchester United's Champions League tie in Rome on Wednesday.

Uefa has launched investigations into both flashpoints, but communications director William Gaillard said possible sanctions for any of the clubs involved had not been discussed.

"Any talk of sanctions is pure speculation, it has not been discussed," he said.

"The control and disciplinary body is a a fully independent body and we and they will look at the evidence."



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Related to this story:

Sevilla 2-1 Tottenham (05 Apr 07 |  Europe )
Robinson fumes at Sevilla penalty (05 Apr 07 |  Europe )
Man Utd condemn police behaviour (05 Apr 07 |  Europe )
Answers on Rome clashes demanded (05 Apr 07 |  Europe )
Italian policing under spotlight (05 Apr 07 |  Europe )
In pictures: Rome football violence (05 Apr 07 |  In Pictures )

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