Eight Arrested Following Violence at Villa Park During Europa League Match

Six additional men were arrested at Birmingham Airport after violent clashes involving fans of the Swiss football club Young Boys during a UEFA Europa League match at Villa Park. These latest arrests bring the total number of individuals in custody to eight, following an earlier detainment of two fans during Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory on March 14, 2024.

The West Midlands Police reported that several officers faced assault from supporters of Young Boys, with incidents involving broken seats and coins being thrown at players and officials. One Dutch forward was struck on the head during the chaos. By Friday morning, police confirmed that two away fans had been detained on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer.

Details of the Incident at Villa Park

In a statement, West Midlands Police elaborated on the situation: “A further six men have been arrested following last night’s disorder during the match against BSC Young Boys. The men were all arrested from Birmingham Airport this afternoon on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and violent disorder.”

Superintendent Paul Minor noted that while the majority of the crowd maintained a positive atmosphere, a small group of away supporters instigated violence that disrupted the event. He confirmed that an investigation is underway, with officers reviewing body-worn cameras and CCTV footage from the stadium to identify those involved.

The disorder erupted in the lower tier of the Doug Ellis Stand when Aston Villa took the lead, resulting in a significant deployment of police officers in riot gear to manage the escalating situation.

History of Supporter Misconduct

This incident is not the first time Young Boys fans have faced scrutiny for their behavior. The club was fined €28,250 (approximately £24,729 or $32,766) two years ago for previous misconduct related to their supporters. In February, they also incurred a fine of around €18,000 (about £15,756 or $20,880) for the use of pyrotechnics at a match against Celtic.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of fans and maintaining order at future matches.