From Times Online
May 28, 2009
100 fans arrested in Barcelona 'celebration' riots after Champions League victory
Nico Hines
More than 100 football fans were arrested in Barcelona overnight as delirious celebrations to mark victory over Manchester United spilled over into rioting that left 85 police officers injured.
As the final whistle was blown in the Champions League final 500 miles away in Rome, around 100,000 Barcelona supporters rushed outside to party – many danced down Las Ramblas gathering around the Canaletas fountain.
Lamposts, telephone kiosks and bus stops were all badly damaged in the violence, which included pitched battles between thousands of officers and fans.
Police said that 119 arrests were made mainly for public disorder, vandalism and disobeying police orders in Barcelona, while 15 other people were apprehended in the Catalan towns of Lleida, Tarragona, Girona, Granollers and Igualada.
Trouble had also flared at previous celebrations in Barcelona earlier this month after the team won the Copa del Rey and then the Spanish league title.
Last night, some lit flares and set off fireworks to celebrate a victory that meant Barcelona had become the first Spanish team to win the treble of Europe’s top club competition together with the domestic league and cup in a single season.
we’re going to stay out all night as long as the police don’t move us on,” said one young fan, Jordi, at the fountain where fans traditionally celebrate.
Many fans mocked rivals Real Madrid, who ended the season without a trophy and in the Spanish capital, Catalans jumped into the fountain in the Plaza Cibeles, the traditional site for celebrations by Real supporters.
May 28, 2009
100 fans arrested in Barcelona 'celebration' riots after Champions League victory
Nico Hines
More than 100 football fans were arrested in Barcelona overnight as delirious celebrations to mark victory over Manchester United spilled over into rioting that left 85 police officers injured.
As the final whistle was blown in the Champions League final 500 miles away in Rome, around 100,000 Barcelona supporters rushed outside to party – many danced down Las Ramblas gathering around the Canaletas fountain.
Lamposts, telephone kiosks and bus stops were all badly damaged in the violence, which included pitched battles between thousands of officers and fans.
Police said that 119 arrests were made mainly for public disorder, vandalism and disobeying police orders in Barcelona, while 15 other people were apprehended in the Catalan towns of Lleida, Tarragona, Girona, Granollers and Igualada.
Trouble had also flared at previous celebrations in Barcelona earlier this month after the team won the Copa del Rey and then the Spanish league title.
Last night, some lit flares and set off fireworks to celebrate a victory that meant Barcelona had become the first Spanish team to win the treble of Europe’s top club competition together with the domestic league and cup in a single season.
we’re going to stay out all night as long as the police don’t move us on,” said one young fan, Jordi, at the fountain where fans traditionally celebrate.
Many fans mocked rivals Real Madrid, who ended the season without a trophy and in the Spanish capital, Catalans jumped into the fountain in the Plaza Cibeles, the traditional site for celebrations by Real supporters.
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