Police officer tragically dies of heart attack amid violent fighting between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow supporters


A POLICE OFFICER has tragically died amid fighting between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow fans during their Europa League tie.

There had been tension surrounding the match at San Mames with hundreds of Russian supporters believed to have travelled to the game without tickets.

A policeman has died during fighting between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow fans
A policeman has tragically died during fighting between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow fans
Reuters
The Basque policeman was being treated for a head wound before suffering heart attack
The Basque policeman was being treated for a head wound before suffering a heart attack
EPA

The two sets of fans clashed in the streets of the Basque city, and they have sadly claimed the life of policeman.

It is understood the man was being treated for wounds following a serious impact to the head, later dying of a heart attack.

He was one of five men taken to hospital, with four people reported to have been arrested so far.

Two hours before kick-off, Spartak fans had taken over the town square, making football chants.

Bilbao and Spartak fans clashed ahead of their Europa League clash
Bilbao and Spartak fans clashed ahead of their Europa League clash
EPA
Spartak fans were keen to make themselves noticed
Spartak fans were chanting in streets two hours before kick-off
EPA
Angry fans threw things and let off flares
Angry fans threw things and let off flares
EPA
A man remonstrates with a police officer
A man remonstrates with a police officer
EPA
The police were marching with shields
The police were marching with shields
AFP
One man was knocked to the floor in the scuffles
One man was knocked to the floor in the scuffles
AFP
The incidents happened before a ball had even been kicked
The incidents happened before a ball had even been kicked
EPA

They also let off flares which covered the city in red smoke.

This prompted a reaction from Bilbao fans and the locals, who were not happy about their turf being taken over.

Video footage captured plenty of the incidents, which can often happen during European clashes.

Athletic Bilbao had won the opening leg 3-1 in Moscow and this clash is currently 2-1 to the Russian side.


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