EMIRATES CHAOS: German hooligans clash with police & fans as Arsenal match is DELAYED
GERMAN football hooligans have been pictured clashing with police, stewards and fans outside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium - forcing officials to delay kickoff by an hour.
FC Koln fight breaks out on London street ahead of Arsenal game
Cologne supporters have been filmed fighting with Arsenal fans and wreaking havoc outside the stadium just hours after 20,000 fans marched down Oxford Street.
The German club reportedly only had an allocation of 2,000 tickets for tonight’s Europa League clash, but more than ten times as many fans are believed to have turned up.
Some fans reportedly bought tickets for the home end and then tried to break into the away section to join the other Cologne supporters.
The match was delayed by an hour while Arsenal officials tried to take control of the situation
Britain’s busiest shopping street was brought to a standstill earlier today by thousands of chanting German fans, some of whom threw bottles and set off flares.
Police were forced to step in and stop all traffic to ensure damage and casualties were kept to a minimum.
The clash was delayed until 9.05am because of safety fears, but Arsenal officials are claiming the game will still go ahead.
Met Police say extra officers have arrived at the Emirates. A Spokesman said: "A policing plan is in place for the game. Additional officers have been deployed."
The match was delayed while officials and fans clashed both inside and outside the Emirates
The club's head of communications Mark Gonnella said: “We were aware about the large numbers of fans coming and try to avoid a situation where they wold be large numbers of supporters without tickets.
“The decision to go ahead was the best option and the safest option.”
Despite Arsenal saying the situation at the Emirates is now under control, some fans are still concerned about safety measures.
Tessa Irwin said: “Only very small children are currently allowed to be removed. How bad there are 42 riot police by the family enclosure… are you serious???
Fans knock over barriers outside FC Koln Vs Arsenal game
Riot police with dogs patrol in front of Cologne supporters
“They have even been allowed to watch the football in the family enclosure. There are a few of them a few rows in front.
“Not quite sure why Arsenal have done this but it looks like they have sold thousands and thousands of tickets to away supporters and are right by my daughter in the family enclosure.
“How have they compromised the safety of the vulnerable? I am really worried about my daughter now.”