Leicester City fans arrested for 'causing a mess'

Spanish police have said eight Leicester City fans were arrested for "causing a mess" ahead of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.

The fans remain in custody following clashes with police on Tuesday evening and will appear in court on Thursday.

Police said six officers were also attacked in the disturbances.

BBC journalist Phil Mackie said he witnessed what appeared to be an unprovoked attack from officers.

He said he met supporters who had been left bruised after being hit on the head, arms and knees.

More on this story and other news in Leicestershire

The correspondent told 5 live the trouble happened in the Plaza Mayor, where Foxes fans had been told they could gather.

He said he found a number of young Leicester fans with bruises, who had been hit on the head, arms and knees and while some were drunk, they seemed dazed as well.

He witnessed police charging a group of Leicester fans who seemed to be just walking past and three were pushed to the ground, hit with batons and bundled into the back of vans.

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Aaron Richard Howells, who was in the square, said there was a lot of good-natured singing from supporters, but some younger fans got too close to police with their chanting.

He said: "We [witnessed] police targeting groups of people, smashing beers from tables and even them throwing chairs towards the fans as well charging with batons and riot shields."

However, supporter June Webb - who was in the square - said some ticketless fans told her they liked to make a nuisance of themselves and "expected trouble later".

A spokesman for Leicester City said: "We have received reports from local police of a small number of arrests following minor incidents in Madrid on Tuesday evening.

"We have provided extensive advice for travelling supporters ahead of every away fixture in the competition and we would urge our fans to adhere to the guidance issued."

Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia reported that riot gear was used to disperse about 300 supporters.