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Bolton complain over Spain police Bolton complain over Spain police
(about 1 hour later)
Bolton Wanderers have made an official complaint about "overzealous and disproportionate" treatment of their supporters by Spanish police.Bolton Wanderers have made an official complaint about "overzealous and disproportionate" treatment of their supporters by Spanish police.
The club contacted European football's governing body Uefa after the 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Cup.The club contacted European football's governing body Uefa after the 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Cup.
Bolton claim there were "a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game". Bolton say there were "a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game".
British police who travelled to the game also criticised their Spanish counterparts' heavy-handed tactics.
At least two fans were taken to hospital with head wounds, and other supporters reported other injuries.
James Kirk, a Bolton fan from Fife, said: "We came out of the stadium and just as we came down loads of police with shields and batons rushed back just where we'd come from.
... unfortunately the Madrid police have a reputation for not taking dissent very well Ch Supt Dave Lea, Greater Manchester Police
"They were battering people to the ground - it was absolutely brutal and appalling. I've been to Spain many, many times but I tell you I don't want to go again."
Club chairman Phil Gartside said he would take the issue to the "highest level" to get an explanation.Club chairman Phil Gartside said he would take the issue to the "highest level" to get an explanation.
'Magnificent support'
Mr Gartside said: "I have great sympathy for any of our supporters who have been injured by what is clearly an overreaction by the Spanish police.Mr Gartside said: "I have great sympathy for any of our supporters who have been injured by what is clearly an overreaction by the Spanish police.
"Our fans gave us magnificent support on the night and this has taken the shine off what has been a momentous evening in the club's history. "Bolton Wanderers Football Club will be pursuing the matter at the highest level and seeking an explanation from the Spanish authorities."
"Bolton Wanderers Football Club will be pursuing the matter at the highest level and seeking an explanation from the Spanish authorities. The football club is liaising with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the British Embassy to try to establish what happened.
"We will also be conducting our own internal investigation and information-gathering process." Junior officers
Ch Supt Dave Lea, of GMP, said the problems started when police baton charged hundreds of Madrid fans out of the stadium.
"That incident has probably set the tone for the policing of the whole match and unfortunately the Madrid police have a reputation for not taking dissent very well," he said.
The police chief said a number of sporadic incidents followed which resulted in police being "very heavy-handed" with the Bolton fans, and he blamed senior officers for the problems.
"They didn't have enough control over their junior officers who were far too quick to use their batons rather than talking to the fans who would comply with their instructions.
"Lessons need to be learned and I will make sure that my observations will be captured in a full report for the Uefa security investigation that I know is going to be forthcoming," he added.
Next stageNext stage
The football club is liaising with Greater Manchester Police and the British Embassy to try to establish what happened.
The result of the match at the Vicente Calderon stadium meant Bolton won the tie 1-0 on aggregate to reach the last-16 stage of the competition.The result of the match at the Vicente Calderon stadium meant Bolton won the tie 1-0 on aggregate to reach the last-16 stage of the competition.
Before their Uefa Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in December, Bolton fans were detained at a hotel in the Serbian capital.Before their Uefa Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in December, Bolton fans were detained at a hotel in the Serbian capital.
Local police acted amid security fears after trouble involving Red Star supporters the previous weekend.Local police acted amid security fears after trouble involving Red Star supporters the previous weekend.
Last April, a number of Tottenham fans were injured at their Uefa Cup tie in Seville in violent clashes with Spanish riot police.Last April, a number of Tottenham fans were injured at their Uefa Cup tie in Seville in violent clashes with Spanish riot police.