LOOK. Antwerp fans clash with police in Barcelona
There were 2,600 of them, the supporters of Antwerp in Barcelona. The atmosphere during the day, on the Ramblas and the nearby squares, such as Plaça Reial, was festive. Later in the day, just before the match, things became grimmer.
The fans gathered in the Plaza Real, in the heart of Barcelona, and from there walked to the Olympic Stadium, where Barcelona will play their matches while the Camp Nou is undergoing renovations.
According to local media, the incidents started around 8 p.m. in Calle de Lleida. The Antwerp fans threw objects at the police, mainly cobblestones and bottles. The police then charged to disperse the fans, after which chairs flew through the air and direct confrontations ensued.
According to the Catalan police agency Mossos d’Esqsuadra, five people were slightly injured. One officer, who was thrown a cobblestone on sight, was seriously injured. His arm was broken and he had to stay in the hospital overnight.
According to Spanish media, the Mossos d’Esqsuadra, in collaboration with the Belgian police, have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators of attacks on the police. No one had been arrested yet.