August 7 – Police made 53 arrests, though only three of them supporters of visiting Southampton, before the English club’s Europa League tie against Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday.
Riot police and horses were called to Korenmarkt, the city’s bar district, where fans of both sides had been drinking together. Trouble apparently flared after provocation from supporters of Vitesse’s Dutch arch-rivals Feyenoord with chairs hurled and punches thrown.
Before the incident there had been a good atmosphere in the area among fans of the two competing sides.
A Southampton spokesperson commented: “Southampton Football Club are aware of an incident away from the official fan zone in Arnhem.
“Fifty Dutch fans have been arrested, three English. Visiting fans are being provided with buses to the stadium. We are continuing to liaise with local police and will take relevant action against those involved.”
Southampton won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane, securing a 5-0 aggregate victory in the third qualifying round tie.
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