Spanish police officer dies in clashes with Spartak Moscow fans before Europa League match against Athletic Bilbao

The police officer died in hospital, where he had been taken following a heart attack

A police officer died on Thursday in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao in clashes with Spartak Moscow fans ahead of a Europa League game against Athletic Bilbao.

The police officer died in hospital, where he had been taken following a heart attack when the regional Basque Country police force Ertzaintza was trying to stop street battles between supporters of the two teams, the police said.

At least five people were arrested.

Spartak won the second leg of the round-of-32 tie 2-1 but were knocked out of Europe’s second-tier competition 4-3 on aggregate after losing the first leg 3-1 in Moscow.

Russia hosts the World Cup this year and local authorities are putting strict security procedures in place to control hooligans, including Russian fans who caused trouble at the 2016 European Championship in France and other major events.

A Uefa statement read: “Uefa strongly condemns the violent clashes which occured in Bilbao on Thursdat night. We are in contact with local authorities to obtain further information on these incidents.

“Uefa sends its sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the police officer who passed away tonight.”

Reuters