Bristol City - Millwall FC - 19/08/2017Source : http://www.mirror.co.uk/
Fans complain of being treated like "criminals" as police use "containment tactics" after Bristol City vs MillwallPolice in Bristol claim they were forced to use "containment tactics" on some fans after crowd trouble during Millwall's visit to Ashton Gate, report the Bristol Post.
Both teams played out a drab 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon, but the day was marred by fights outside the stadium.
A huge police operation was put in place to try and prevent any trouble, but fights broke out anyway.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: “We were really disappointed that two small individual groups seemed intent on getting involved in confrontation at the Bristol City vs Millwall football match on Saturday.
“Our operation was planned to safely facilitate the safe entry and exit of all fans but a minority of people were determined to work against us.
“We had to use some containment tactics in order to stop any escalation but thankfully we were well prepared and contained the two groups quickly.
“We just think it’s a shame and would like to apologise to all the law abiding fans and members of the public who had to put up with the disruption caused around the grounds and to the traffic.”
People on social media have called for the trouble makers to be banned.
Lyn Hockey wrote on Facebook: “Not for the police to apologise. Bet the individuals involved won't be ‘man’ enough to take responsibility for this. Please ban them.”
Caroline Simmons added: “The police have done a great job, shame there are a few brain dead morons who are set on making problems.”
Joanne Ackland said: “Such a shame there are pillocks that try and spoil the football. They should be permanently banned.”
Interestingly, Millwall fans have taken to Twitter to criticise what they see as the heavy-handed approach of police.
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Source : http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/
Fans clash with police outside Ashton Gate after Bristol City draw against MillwallThis was the moment tensions almost boiled over outside Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon.
Fans of Bristol City and visiting Millwall were heading home after the goalless draw when supporters were involved in a skirmish with police – culminating in one man being struck with a baton.
There was an increased police presence in and around the ground on Saturday.
Bristol City fan Frank Goold caught the clash on camera as he attempted to leave Ashton Road, by Bower Ashton Terrace – a cul-de-sac where he had parked with his blue badge.
Police can be seen at the top of the road acting as a filter to maintain fan segregation as supporters head towards the Ashton Gate Underpass, a potential flashpoint for violence.
The hordes were likely heading towards Bedminster Cricket Club where a lot of people chose to park.
The footage shows several fans passing the police line peacefully before tensions suddenly rise as a large group of fans comes around the corner.
As people wait at the front and speak to the police to understand why they have been blocked, the group begins to swell from behind and pushing and shoving appears to force people into the police and through the blockade.
Frank Goold was penned in, with other cars behind him and the police line directly in front.
“I couldn’t see behind them but there must have been at least 50 of them if not more,” said Mr Goold.
“I locked the doors on my car. It was a bit of a conundrum to say the least. Normally there’s not much of a police presence but there was at least double or triple that on Saturday.”
A few fans spill through and a policeman in the foreground draws his baton to ward them off.
The fans can be seen appearing to plead with the officer as he holds his baton over his shoulder, poised to strike.
The pushing and shoving forces the police line back and back, closer and closer to Mr Goold’s car.
Horse-mounted police can be seen trying to shepherd the herd.
The police are forced back to within just feet of the car when the officer who had drawn his baton earlier decides to strike one of the fans – connecting with his shoulder – who appears to mouth: “I’m being pushed”.
Acknowledging violence could be about to erupt in front of him, Mr Goold was finally given the space to move back to create a buffer zone between him and the front line, by cars reversing behind him.
The police seemed to regain control of the situation and the man struck by the baton is taken out of the fray and appears injured.
However, when he sees officers involved in another small scuffle he attempts to rush back in before being intercepted and restrained.
Eventually the incident simmers down and the crowd dissipates, allowing Mr Goold to drive out of the dead-end surrounded by police vehicles after the seven-minute ordeal.
Mr Goold added: “They (the police) had their backs against the wall and a lot coming at them. In hindsight it probably wasn’t necessary but I can’t really blame the police officer.
“All it took was one hit and they all backed up. The police did the best they could have.”
Today at 12:55 pm by UFW Maltchickers
