Violence on the pitch after Bilbao v Anderlecht

After gaining an away goal against Bilbao in the Europa League, supporters from both clubs fought on the pitch at San Mames Stadium, forcing police on to the field to quell the fighting.


TV images showed Bilbao supporters in the stands throwing objects on to rival fans. Later on when Biglia opened the scoring, Anderlecht fans were seen lighting a flare. The president of Athletic, Fernando García Macua put the blame on "drunk" supporters of Anderlecht.


"Anderlecht supporters, you saw them out in the city today drinking a lot and they don't know how to control themselves," he told Canal Plus. "We all came here – almost all of us at least – to see a sporting spectacle. It's unfortunate."

Though Anderlecht chairman Vanden Stock disagrees: "99% of our fans did not have bad intentions. The organisation in Bilbao was extremely poor. Eventually, our fans were attacked with glass bottles and they sought safety. They could only go into one direction, namely on the pitch. There they were attacked again. This is unacceptable. We are gathering evidence and we'll present it soon to the UEFA."

Both clubs risk a serious fine.