Spartak Moscow fans once again proved a nightmare to police ahead of their team’s Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.
The Basque police had their work cut on when droves of firework-toting ne’er-do-wells started scrapping in the streets around San Mames before the game, which Spartak won 2-1 (but lost 4-3 on aggregate).
Crazy scenes at Athletic Bilbao vs Spartak Moscow tonight 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/Q1OQ7UOSgk
— Away Days Videos (@AwayDaysVideos) February 22, 2018
Of course the last time we heard from Spartak fans, they were busy shooting flares at referees, for which UEFA charged them €60,000.
Sadly, the Guardian are reporting that a police officer died during the skirmish after suffering a heart attack. Five people were also arrested.
This World Cup is going to be a hoot.