The full horror of England's terrifying ordeal in the Bernabeu on Spanish football's night of shame last week can be revealed for the first time today.
FOREIGN POLICE BRUTALITY
The full horror of England's terrifying ordeal in the Bernabeu on Spanish football's night of shame last week can be revealed for the first time today.
On the pitch, England's black footballers were subjected to sickening racist
abuse by thousands of Spain supporters.
But now it has also emerged out-of-control Spanish police were so crazed with
aggression they threatened to attack officials from the English Football
Association.
The revelation that even members of a visiting governing body were told they
would be beaten up is bound to horrify UEFA and FIFA.
And the FA have also demanded that the Spanish FA conduct an investigation
into allegations of systematic police brutality against England fans in the
Bernabeu. Coupled with the disgust at the racism of Spanish fans, it will increase the demands for sanctions against Spanish football that go beyond heavy fines and playing matches behind closed doors.
After gathering evidence from their officials and from England fans who
witnessed appalling scenes of police brutality, the FA last night sent a furious
protest to their Spanish counterparts.
The letter from Soho Square, copies of which have been sent to FIFA and UEFA, is believed to detail the "indiscriminate beatings" meted out to innocent England
fans before kick off.
fans before kick off.
It also lays bare the facts of the incident where FA officials tried to go to the aid of England supporters but were threatened with violence by riot police.
One woman broke her ankle when a Spanish police baton charge caused a
crowd crush and another man was knocked unconscious.
crowd crush and another man was knocked unconscious.
When the FA heard reports of the trouble before kick-off, they sent their own
security officials to the area near Gate D in the north east corner of the stadium.
But when one of the officials tried to film the police wading into queuing English
fans with their batons, it was indicated they would be attacked too unless they
fled.England fan Peter John-Baptiste said he was astonished by the attitude of the police.
"It was a terrifying night," he said. "Unless something is done an England fan will be killed at an international very soon."
The government is also monitoring the situation. "We are considering reports
from the English police delegation in Spain, the Football Association, and
supporters groups," a Home Office spokesman said yesterday.
from the English police delegation in Spain, the Football Association, and
supporters groups," a Home Office spokesman said yesterday.
"We are keen to emphasise the importance of England fans being treated on the basis of their behaviour rather than their past reputation."