Seven Tottenham fans clash with police at UEFA Cup match

Seven Tottenham fans were summoned to court after being arrested during clashes with riot police at a UEFA Cup match against Sevilla.

Photo: Seven Tottenham fans clash with police at UEFA Cup match

They were arrested Thursday as police wielding night sticks charged at English fans ripping up seats at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Tottenham lost the quarterfinal first leg 2-1.

Police said 11 officers were injured and one had to be hospitalized.

Before the match, about 50 Tottenham fans reportedly clashed with police outside the stadium.

Tottenham insisted that its fans were not being aggressive and accused police of attacking a wheelchair-bound fan in the first half.

"We need to understand how we are in a position whereby we have two clearly identifiable Spurs stewards assaulted by the Spanish police, along with our disability co-ordinator being injured too," club secretary John Alexander said Friday.

"There was one disabled fan who we know was hit with a baton with such force that it knocked him out of his wheelchair."

The violence flared shortly after Sevilla had scored an equalizer from a disputed penalty.

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was penalized in the 18th for taking down Adriano Correia. TV replays showed Robinson got a hand to the ball before making contact with Adriano.

Former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute then converted from the penalty spot.

It was the second straight night of disturbances in European soccer involving English fans. On Wednesday, Italian police clashed with Man United fans in its Champions League match at AS Roma.

Tottenham received a bye into the round of 16 when Feyenoord was expelled as punishment for its supporters creating disturbances at a match in Nancy, France.