Violent clashes erupted in Tirana on Tuesday on the eve of the Conference League final between AS Roma and Feyenoord Rotterdam. Albanian police arrested around 60 people.
Drunk Dutch fans beat an Albanian with a chair when he showed his support for the Italian team and the victim had to be “rushed” to hospital, according to a police statement.
10 police officers injured
About 200 Feyenoord supporters clashed with police as they tried to reach an area where AS Roma supporters were. Then, supporters of the Italian club in turn attacked the police with stones and sticks. “Ten police officers were injured” and a police van was damaged by these “acts of violence”, police said.
Clashes between supporters of the two teams also occurred in at least three places in the Albanian capital, noted an AFP journalist. In total, around 60 supporters from both sides were arrested, according to the police.
100,000 supporters expected
While the capacity of the national stadium where the match will take place on Wednesday is only 21,000 seats, at least 100,000 supporters are expected in Tirana to attend the match.
They will be separated into fan zones and will have to watch the game on giant screens, authorities said. About 2000 police officers are mobilized to ensure the security of the event.