BILBAO’S mayor has revealed they will take extra security measures when Rangers visit for their Europa League … because Athletic Bilbao fans rioted in the last round.
And that was after they had won.
Members of Basque Regional police ‘Ertzaintza’ hold back supporters of Athletic Club[/caption]
Police clash with AS Roma fans[/caption]
Soccer fans clash with police ahead of the Europa League round of 16[/caption]
Rangers travel to the Basque region of Spain next month for the quarter finals of the competition after eliminating Jose Mourinho‘s Fenerbahce.
But Bilbao was rocked after their own fans went on the riot despite beating Roma in the Round of 16.
Bars were wrecked, bins were set on fire, police attacked, ambulance medics threatened, cars were damaged and street furniture was flung around the city, leading to dozens of arrests.
Rangers are expected to be allocated around 2,650 tickets for the game in San Mames stadium and the furious Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, has vowed to increase security and police presence for Athletic’s game with Rangers.
He said: “Already, we are working with the Basque police force, the city police and the Government to increase security after an entirely unacceptable night.
“For the Rangers game, we will closely coordinate with the Scottish police to gather intelligence and will decide upon appropriate restrictions.
“But you can be sure there will be tighter controls around the surrounding area of the stadium.
“I want to make it clear to those people who caused this damage – we don’t want you with us. I call on society to stand up to them.
“We cannot accept attacks against the police forces as normal, we cannot normalise attacks on medical staff in the ambulances.
“In future, the police will do what they have to do.”
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