Two arrested after Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano supporters clash

Police said 60 Crystal Palace fans classified as “known troublemakers” were ordered to leave Leipzig city center on Tuesday evening after two were arrested following clashes between Eagles and Rayo Vallecano supporters.

Thousands of fans have traveled to Leipzig for the Conference League final between Palace and Spanish side Vallecano on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

After videos of rival fans clashing in the German city appeared online on Tuesday, Saxon state police confirmed two arrests had been made and all those involved in the chaos had been ordered to leave the area.

Two officials, one from the federal police and one from the state police, sustained minor injuries during clashes with both sets of fans.

“At approximately 20:00 (19:00 BST), around 300 Rayo Vallecano fans, who were considered at high risk of hooliganism, gathered in the city centre,” read a statement from the Saxon state police.

Police said “sudden clashes” broke out with Palace fans sitting on the outdoor terraces of both Leo’s Brasserie and Dhillon.

“Bottles, beer glasses and pub furniture were thrown at each other. Physical altercations also took place,” the police statement added.

“Officials at the scene immediately intervened and separated the two groups of fans, checked the identities of over 300 people and issued orders to disperse.

“Known troublemakers from Crystal Palace moved into the Penguins Ice Bar area and about 60 men agitated the Spanish fans and were surrounded by federal police.”

The police operation ended at approximately 03:15 on Wednesday morning, involving more than 320 fans.

Local police say the ‘fan fest’ in Leipzig’s bazaar area was peaceful, with around 2,000 fans from both clubs in attendance.