Footage has emerged of Manchester City fans being assaulted by Spanish Police during City’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The recording, taken by a Real Madrid supporter shows Madrid police escorting away a City supporter in a white striped t-shirt from the away fans enclosure. Riot police arrive at the spot and a scuffle erupts as the police start shoving the supporters.
Seconds later, in a shocking development, the riot police are seen punching City fans standing near them. The punches are thrown hard to the face and the victims are seen flinching from the impact. A fan is seen shielding his head to no avail as policemen go on to punching his stomach.
A number of incidents of police brutality against the away fans were reported as they tried to enter the stadium. Police outside the stadium were indiscriminately hitting supporters with batons and shoving them around.
Danny Lennon, a City fan who visited the Bernabeu tweeted, “The police in Madrid are an outrage. I’m a very calm respectable person. I’ve been pushed hit and abused by Madrid police.”
The above tweet shows the fear the police managed to spread amongst the City fans
An anonymous fan told the Manchester Evening News “"Our friend asked if we would get in time to the game. Next second he's getting thrown into a gate. Batons were out and people getting thrown. There were 3,000 city fans in shorts and t-shirts. Met by hundreds of police in riot gear. You can't even see their face as they are wearing masks”
Manchester City supporters reported that police had used “kettling” tactics on them while others said they were not allowed into the stadium until 20 minutes after kick off.
Manchester City lost the Champions League semi-final by a 1-0 margin over two legs. Gareth Bale’s deflected strike in the second leg was the deciding factor as City crashed out of the Champions League.
