Hajduk fans clash with police at National Stadium

Eight Hajduk Split fans were arrested yesterday after clashing with police during the UEFA Cup match between Birkirkara and the Croatian team.

Trouble erupted early in the second half when police officers, led by Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat, approached a group of fans who had lit up flares, setting some seats on fire in the process.

Skirmishes ensued as a number of Croatian fans assaulted the police officers. Assistant Commissioner Brincat was slightly injured after being hit in the face as he wrestled with his aggressors.

More police officers, including 40 members of the SAG squadron, yesterday headed by Superintendent Martin Bayliss, moved in to subdue the fighting fans.

A number of seats in the stadium's enclosure were also broken by the culprits.

The situation was quickly brought under control by the baton-wielding police officers who then set about the task of apprehending the trouble-makers. No Maltese fans were involved in the incidents.

The prospect of Croatian fans attending a football match in Malta had drawn an unusually heavy police presence at the National Stadium.

Birkirkara, the hosts of yesterday's match, and the police were clearly reluctant to take risks after the crowd violence that marred Malta's World Cup 2006 qualifier against Croatia three years ago.

Surprisingly, a group of hard-core Hajduk fans had left it late to enter the stadium as they were reportedly taken aback by the €30 price for a match ticket.

Sources told The Times that a group of Hajduk supporters stole a batch of match tickets and hit a gate attendant before kick-off.

The incident was brought to the attention of the Hajduk Split officials who verbally agreed to compensate Birkirkara for the stolen tickets.

UEFA delegate Jacques Antenen, from Switzerland, will be making a report on yesterday's incidents to the European governing body of football.

Antenen held talks with officials of the two clubs and high-ranking police officers after the match.