Two Young Boys supporters have been arrested following crowd trouble during their 2-1 Europa League defeat at Aston Villa on Thursday.
West Midlands Police (WMP) said in a statement on Friday morning that two away fans had been arrested “on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer,” after disorder broke out inside Villa Park in the first half.
The unrest cause the match to be halted for five-and-a-half minutes, with Villa match-winner Donyell Malen hit by objects thrown from the stands after opening the scoring.
WMP Superintendent Paul Minor said: “We won’t tolerate violence of any kind at football matches.
“The majority of the crowd was in good spirit but unfortunately a small minority of away fans caused violence and disrupted the game. An investigation has been launched, and officers are reviewing body worn video and CCTV from the stadium of the disorder.”
Young Boys manager Gerardo Seoane apologised for the actions of the travelling fans after the game but suggested Malen celebrating his two goals in front of the away end was “a small provocation”.
Sections of the Young Boys fans threw objects at Malen when he celebrated his 27th-minute opener, with one hitting him on the head. The Netherlands forward appeared to sustain a small cut, while team-mate Morgan Rogers lifted up his shirt to check if he also had a mark.
Referee Georgi Kabakov spoke to Villa’s captain, Youri Tielemans, and police formed a line in front of the away supporters, with numbers increasing throughout the first half.
Following Malen’s second goal, on 42 minutes, a five-and-a-half minute delay ensued. The Dutchman again ran towards the Young Boys supporters, but stopped short of going as close to the terraces as he had previously done, with objects once again thrown from the away end.
During the delay, the referee explained the situation to both Villa head coach Unai Emery and Seoane.
Young Boys’ captain Loris Benito, alongside his team-mates, attempted to calm down the travelling fans and appeared to ask them to stop throwing objects, while certain members of the crowd were removed from the ground and riot police gathered in front of the away end.
Villa won the match 2-1, with Young Boys’ Joel Monteiro scoring a consolation goal in the 90th minute.