Police celebrate ‘few incidents’ and just eight arrests after 60,000 British football fans arrived in Spain

Police in Spain have praised a massive security operation in Bilbao after only eight arrests took place during the Europa League final, despite more than 60,000 British fans attending.

Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17 year trophy drought with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Basque capital on Wednesday.

According to authorities, the worst of the disorder in the city was avoided largely thanks to the largest police deployment the city had ever seen.

READ MORE Watch: Manchester United and Spurs fans clash in Spain before the Europa League final

The regional Basque police force Ertzaintza initially told reporters that “we have made seven arrested linked to incidents from the Europa League final”. 

All of them are foreigners. I can’t confirm whether they are British. The arrests were made for fighting, criminal damaging, disobedience and attacking a police officer.

Later, El Correo Eight arrests were confirmed, the majority of which involved British fans. 

In Bilbao, and San Sebastian there were fights between rival supporters. One altercation was caught on camera and ended with the police handcuffing a Briton and pinning him to the ground.

A few British fans were also victims of crime. At least three expensive designer watches – worth £42,000, £33,000 and £21,000 – were stolen during the celebrations, according to local reports.

The police recovered the second most expensive watch after arresting a suspected thief.

The police and local officials insisted that the majority of the fans were well behaved and the event was a success as far as safety and order is concerned.

A staggering 1,500 Ertzaintza officers were deployed across Bilbao, alongside hundreds of local police and 500 private security guards – five times the usual number for a domestic Athletic Bilbao match. 

Rescue teams, helicopters and maritime units were all ready to respond.

San Mames Stadium was set up with security zones and checkpoints. This is to stop rival fans from mixing together, as well as to stop any potentially dangerous objects being thrown. 

The Europa League final saw a lot of police but few incidents. El Correo summarised, adding: “Authorities maintained that the main objective – ensuring general public safety in Bilbao and preventing serious clashes between fans – had been achieved, despite what they described as ‘unavoidable’ incidents given the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors and free-flowing alcohol.”