The police did not investigate a claim by a group of Serbian football fans who said they were “brutally beaten” by officers during their arrest in July, a court heard yesterday.

A supporter wearing a full Partizan gear ended up stark naked in his cell with a swollen face

Police Inspector Jurgen Vella said that he had also not investigated their allegation that officers sprayed pepper spray into the police van with them handcuffed inside.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against eight Serbian football supporters, a Greek and a Bulgarian over incidents that took place outside the Hibs Stadium in Paola during the Champions League match between Valletta FC and Partizan Belgrade on July 17.

They are denying violently resisting arrest, disobeying police orders, threatening officers, invading the pitch and being drunk. One of them denied slightly injuring a policeman.

Under cross examination, Mr Vella said he could not explain how one of the supporters was wearing a full Partizan gear when arrested but ended up stark naked in his cell with a swollen face and ribs. The injuries, according to court expert Mario Scerri, were compatible with being manhandled.

Mr Vella said he was inside the ground when, just before kick-off, he was called outside to assist other police officers because a group of foreign supporters wanted to enter.

The incidents were sparked off by a “hitch” in the organisational aspect of the match, whereby Serbian fans, despite having purchased tickets, were not allowed in because the entire seating was taken up by Valletta supporters.

The court heard that two Partizan supporters, holding a large banner, made their way into the stadium after climbing a perimeter wall. A policeman ordered them down and they were met by other policemen who handcuffed them and threw them to the ground.

More Partizan supporters, who were also refused entry, tried to force their way through after opening a large gate separating the stadium from an abandoned field but the police managed to push them back.

Mr Vella said that the ground was “full”, so the police informed the group, and also some Valletta supporters, that they would not be allowed in despite having valid tickets.

He said one of the foreigners tried to head-butt him and warned him of trouble if they were not allowed to enter.

Mr Vella denied the police had manhandled the supporters, insisting that they were all under the influence of alcohol and that officers had a hard time controlling them.

But their lawyers, Giannella de Marco and Gianluca Caruana Curran, insisted that their clients had been manhandled by the police, who used excessive force during their arrest.

The case continues.