Arsenal vs Standard Liege: King’s Cross station evacuated after fans light flares before Europa League game
Les Rouges fans were filmed chanting and setting off flares both in and outside of St Pancras, where Eurostar trains arrive from Brussels, and King’s Cross, from where underground trains go towards the Emirates
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Passengers at King’s Cross were evacuated from the station on Thursday afternoon after Standard Liege fans set off flares.
The Belgian side’s supporters arrived in London ahead of their 8pm Europa League meeting with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Les Rouges fans were filmed chanting and setting off flares both in and outside of St Pancras, where Eurostar trains arrive from Brussels, and King’s Cross, from where underground trains go towards the Emirates.
Police arrived at the scene at 1.30pm after the smoke in the station led to an evacuation. The station reopened at 3pm after emergency services had managed to disperse the group and calm chaos.
It comes as fellow Belgian side Club Brugge announced they are investigating fans’ behaviour at their Champions League match against Real Madrid.
Video taken in Plaza Mayor in Madrid, where their fans gathered before the 2-2 draw at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, appeared to show Club Brugge supporters abusing a homeless women trying to sell beer.
The fans attempted to pull off the woman’s headscarf, refused to pay for drinks and poured beer into the cup she used to collect money.
Club Brugge announced on Thursday that they are attempting to identify the people in the video, who are now facing a stadium ban.
In a statement published to Club Brugge’s website, the side said: “The Club condemns this behaviour and explicitly distances itself from these so-called supporters. This behaviour is unworthy of a Club supporter and for them – in line with our ethical code – there is no place within our club.”
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