In the run-up to the Conference League match AZ-Aston Villa in Alkmaar, 52 supporters of the English club were arrested on Thursday. They are suspected of insult, incitement or disturbing public order. A knife was also found.
One of the suspects was still in custody on Friday, the police told NU.nl. The arrests took place at the end of the afternoon, a few hours before the start of the European match in the AFAS Stadium. Without exception, these were supporters of the club from Birmingham.
Around 5:15 p.m. someone was arrested at Alkmaar station for illegal possession of weapons. He had a knife with him, which was confiscated. About ten minutes later, a second supporter was arrested for insult and incitement. Pepper spray was used.
Shortly afterwards, a group of Aston Villa supporters on the platform were checked for possession of match tickets. During that check, the police thought they saw someone with a knife. When she wanted to check this, the group fled into a stationary train.
ME used force to arrest a group of Aston Villa fans
The fifty fans were removed from the train with the support of the riot police and arrested for, among other things, disrupting public order. A number of fans resisted their arrest. The riot police deployed force and used pepper spray. No more knife was found.
The police did find balaclavas and narcotics on the train. None of those involved had a match ticket in their pocket. “Apart from the person who is still in custody, they have all been remanded,” a police spokesperson said. “With a fine in your pocket.”
The police wanted to prevent disturbances with their action. The match AZ-Aston Villa (1-4) proceeded without any problems.
The post first appeared on www.nu.nl