Manchester United and Tottenham fans fought on the streets of Bilbao in horrifying scenes ahead of the Europa League final tonight. Videos shared on social media show objects being launched across a narrow road in the Spanish city as terrified locals watch on.
A video taken by a resident high up on a balcony clearly shows United and Spurs fans clashing. In the clip, boxes and other items are sent flying into the opposing groups, who were positioned at each end of the street. There were frequent chants of “United!” and lots of inaudible shouting. Towards the start of the video, one individual appears to be knocked over by a stray cardboard box, before he is quickly helped to his feet.
Missiles continue to be thrown between the two groups. As one person struggles to lift a wheelie bin and toss it back up the road, there are sarcastic cheers from the rival group.
Some locals appear to emerge from their apartments in an effort to stop the trouble. Many are seen picking up items that have been thrown between the two sets of fans, but their efforts to quell the tension are to no avail.
One of the items tossed between the two groups appears to be a white metal cuboid frame.
The group at the top of the road then seem to make ground on the set of fans at the bottom. Some individuals can be heard shouting “Stop!” but others respond: “You stop!”
Towards the end of the clip, two individuals in black nearly come to blows but are separated by a man wearing a white t-shirt. There are dozens of people involved in the chaos when and how is started. The clip finishes before the conflict ends.
There do not appear to be any serious injuries suffered while the fighting is captured on film.
Tensions spilled over with both clubs hoping to end disastrous seasons with a European trophy. United have failed to arrest their poor start to the campaign under Erik ten Hag, with Ruben Amorim unable to improve their performances since his appointment in November.
Spurs were derailed by a sweeping injury crisis midway through the season but Ange Postecoglou has not been able to rekindle their form with many of their key players now back. United are 16th in the Premier League with Spurs 17th.
