Police have denied ignoring claims by Serbian football supporters that they were brutally beaten by officers during arrests last July following a fight outside Hibs Stadium.

On Monday, police inspector Jurgen Vella testified in court that the police did not investigate the claims.

But replying to questions by The Times, the police’s media relations unit said investigations were carried out “immediately” and the officers involved had “categorically denied” using excessive force.

The fight between supporters and police occurred outside Hibs Stadium in Paola on July 17, when an organisational “hitch” prevented fans of Partizan Belgrade from entering as their seats had been taken up by Valletta supporters.

The Serbian football supporters claimed officers used pepper spray when the men were handcuffed inside the police van.

But the Police Commissioner insisted that an internal investigation was carried out following an article that appeared on The Times on July 28 entitled Fans Claim Officers Used Pepper Spray.

“During the inquiry into these allegations, which surfaced two days after the accused were released from police custody and remanded to Corradino Correctional Facilities, all officers on duty during the match categorically denied that any of their subordinates used excessive force, manhandled or applied pepper spray while arresting a number of Serbian fans who were trying to forcefully enter the Hibs stadium,” a spokesman for the Commissioner said.

“Unfortunately, in handling the Serbian supporters, where most appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, the necessary minimum force had to be used for them to be restrained.”

The police also clarified that, although the prosecuting officer said he never conducted an internal investigation, “he did not mean an internal investigation was not conducted by his superior officers, but simply that he was not personally involved in it”.

Meanwhile, the police also denied the claim that one of the supporters, who was wearing a full Partizan kit when arrested, ended up naked in his cell.

“Regarding the allegation that one of the accused was kept stark naked please note that this claim was also rebutted by Inspector Vella in court where he explained, while tendering evidence, that the man was not stark naked but was arraigned bare-chested after he refused to wear a top, even though his girlfriend provided him with one,” the police said.

The police pointed out that three officers were slightly injured during the incident and had to receive medical treatment, as confirmed by a medical certificate.

“Moreover, a vehicle belonging to one of the police officers on duty at the Hibs stadium was also found to have a cracked windscreen and a dented roof,” the police’s explanation concluded.

The Times also asked about the analysis by court expert Mario Scerri that the injuries on the man found naked in his cell with a swollen face and ribs were compatible with being manhandled.

“Please note that the police prosecutor has already tendered evidence under oath in court regarding the injuries sustained by one of the Partizan Belgrade supporters,” was the reply.

“He had stated that these injuries were sustained following an argument this person had with other Serbian supporters.”

Asked whether the police carried out forensic and medical tests to confirm or deny the allegations, the police said evidence had yet to be tendered by other witnesses.

“It is not prudent to comment further at this stage.”