Not again! Spurs fans in flare-ups as United slam police

Riot police wielding batons kept Spurs fans apart from home supporters during the first half of the UEFA Cuptie, which Sevilla won 2-1.

Scroll down to read more:

Fighting broke out after the Spanish side were awarded a disputed penalty.

Seven Spurs fans went to hospital, the most serious injury a broken wrist, as did one policeman. Six fans were arrested.

There were claims of a fan in a wheelchair being attacked by the police.

A Spurs spokesman said last night: "The club will be working with the appropriate authorities to ascertain the events of this evening in Seville.

"Our initial reports suggest there was no fan-to-fan fighting at any stage. As such we are seeking explanations as to why the police reacted in the way they did with our fans."

The ugly scenes came as Italian authorities were inflaming relations between Manchester United and Roma by praising the police brutality that left dozens of English fans injured in Rome on Wednesday night.

On the day when UEFA and the Home Office launched investigations into the clashes during United's 2- 1 defeat, United condemned the 'indiscriminate beatings' dispensed by Italian riot police.

But with next Tuesday's quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford now upgraded to 'high risk' yesterday, the Italian FA and police stirred up the issue.

Rome police chief Achille Serra said: "To criticise the police is a sport and the British always like to do this.

"The police were forced to intervene between two sets of violent fans and once you are in the middle you have to go in strong.

"In my opinion the police's performance was correct."

With 18 United fans treated in hospital - some for stab wounds - and many more dealt with at the stadium, the club issued a statement which read: "The distressing scenes shocked everyone at Old Trafford.

"In what the club view as a severe over-reaction, local police handed out indiscriminate beatings to United supporters."

But Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete praised the police.

He said: "We owe gratitude to our law enforcers."

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker, however, said: "You would have to be concerned, looking at the level of force that was used by the Italian police against the Manchester United supporters."

Spurs were similarly concerned when their spokesman said of last night's incidents: "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 Spanish authorities and the British Embassy to understand why this has happened."

UEFA expect to announce today whether there will be any disciplinary action over the events in Rome.