Union demand explanation as trouble at Feyenoord prompts 75 arrests

Rotterdam/Berlin (dpa) – Rotterdam police arrested 75 people, including many Union Berlin fans, after trouble at their European Conference League game with Feyenoord on Thursday.

The German side said there had been chaotic scenes outside the away entrance with many supporters not initially getting into De Kuip. Union believe the police deployment was excessive and many arrests were arbitrary.

Union supporters on social media said they had been needlessly attacked by aggressive officers.

But the police said 59 had sought confrontation with Feyenoord fans before match, which the Berliners lost 3-1.

They were suspected of “preparing open violence,” according to a police statement.

The other 16 arrested are suspected of vandalism and possession of fireworks, among other things.

In addition, police reported an attack by a “small group of German hooligans” on officers. A police dog was then used, which bit three Union fans and an officer. The four had to be treated in hospital.

A police horse and rider were also injured when the animal was frightened by fireworks and fell.

The trouble follows an Union delegation including club president Dirk Zingler being attacked in Rotterdam on the eve of the match in what Feyenoord described as “a cowardly act”.

Union are adamant that the police then overreacted at the game, having expected reprisals.

Union spokesman Christan Arbeit said it was “catastrophic” that several hundred people with tickets did not get into the stadium until the half-time break.

“There are pictures of numerous injured people from an obviously very tough police operation. That is simply unacceptable,” he added.

Union are talking with both Feyenoord officials and European governing body UEFA.

Union have not played in Europe for two decades and football rivalry between the Dutch and Germans is well-known.

At Union’s previous Group E game in Berlin against Maccabi Haifa, a handful of home fans were accused of anti-Semitism.