Police have claimed they arrived too late to arrest anyone involved in the mass brawl between England and Italy supporters in Bugibba’s main square two weeks ago.
I only saw four officers and only one of them asked someone to stop throwing cups
Police told The Sunday Times that by the time officers arrived, “the brawl had already been diffused, thus the police ensured that it did not escalate again by dispersing the crowd… hence no arrests were made.”
Their claim appears to be contradicted by footage posted on Youtube that has been viewed by over 53,000 people.
It shows dozens of England and Italy fans clashing violently seconds after Alessandro Diamanti slotted home the winning penalty for the Azzuri in the Euro 2012 quarter-final shoot-out.
A tightly packed crowd of hundreds quickly disperses in all directions as the violence escalates and bottles are smashed.
Around eight unformed officers who had been standing on the edge of the crowd are seen trying to restore order as fighting rages around them.
At one point a man can be seen hitting someone with an England flag just metres away from several officers.
But police insisted the footage backs up their assessment that the brawl was over by the time officers arrived.
Asked if the brawl was started by Maltese, British or Italian nationals, the police said “both Maltese and foreigners” were involved.
A female English fan who left seconds before fighting broke out said she sensed there would be violence.
The woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, said English and Maltese fans of the England team had been antagonising Italy fans throughout the game by throwing cups and drinks at them and even burning an Italy flag.
“In a situation like that in the UK there would have been police officers everywhere.
“But I only saw four officers and only one of them asked someone to stop throwing cups. They seemed more interested in watching the game,” she said.
Meanwhile, police confirmed they issued nine fines in St Julian’s on the same day to people caught drinking on the streets.
One of the fine recipients complained to this newspaper that the police had enforced the law in an arbitrary manner that day.
The man said that he and 15 friends bought drinks from a bar in Spinola Bay but were forced to drink them in plastic cups on the pavement as all the bars were full and the popular big screen area hadn’t yet opened.
He claims two police officers issued him and one friend with fines of €65 for consuming alcohol on the streets, but ignored the others who were drinking.
The consumption of alcohol is banned on 30 streets in St Julian’s and Paceville. Alcoholic drinks can only be carried on these streets in sealed, unopened containers.