Ugly scenes unfold ahead of Ajax vs Juventus Champions League tie as 120 away fans are arrested after being caught with ‘knives and blunt objects’ as police deployed water cannons
- Trouble brewed ahead of Ajax’s Champions League quarter-final tie vs Juventus
- Police arrested 120 supporters of the Italian club prior to the match taking place
- Juve fans were alleged to have been carrying ‘knives’ and ‘blunt objects’
- Dutch reports claim police were forced to deploy water cannons on home fans
Ugly scenes prior to Ajax’s Champions League quarter final clash with Juventus have seen 120 visiting supporters detained after clashes in the streets.
As tensions mounted in Amsterdam prior to the first-leg fixture, police quickly intervened after Juventus fans gathered in large groups are were said to be carrying items on their person which were ‘inappropriate for a trip to the stadium.’
Further reports have claimed supporters of the Italian club were carrying ‘blunt items’ which included ‘knives, screwdrivers and sticks.’
Trouble brewed ahead of Ajax’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Juventus
Matteo Salvini – Italy’s deputy prime minister – claimed around 120 Italian fans were detained
Police was called to take extreme action and deployed water cannons to control the situation
The crowds were dispersed, as Ajax ultras looked to engage with the visiting supporters
Jets of water were seen shooting through the air as police looked to halt the tensions
Matteo Salvini – Italy’s deputy prime minister – said: ‘Around 120 arrests [were made],’ as report Sky Italia
‘People were found carrying objects that were not exactly appropriate for a trip to the stadium,’ he continued.
‘Football is beautiful, sport is beautiful, but only with clean hands and a clean face, without creating trouble, so be good.’
Ajax supporters were also caught up in the troubles, with members of the ultra factions reported to have clashed with intervening police officers.
Large lines of heavily armored police formed to keep both sets of supporters apart
Fans gathered in groups prior to kick-off – there is no suggestion those pictured were arrested
Police patrolled outside the stadium on horseback in attempt to control the situation
‘An unknown number of Ajax fans were arrested about two hours before the home match against Juventus,’ report Dutch publication De Telegraaf.
‘They wanted to participate in a so-called entrada, a party outside the Arena with which fans of the Amsterdam club organise fights.
‘The entrada is always accompanied by a lot of singing and fireworks. The police already announced on Wednesday morning through various channels that lighting torches and fireworks was prohibited because the safety of shoppers and concert visitors should not be endangered.
‘The police and mobile unit were on their feet at the Arena Boulevard next to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, where the entrada would take place,’ the report added.
The teams are hoping to book their place in the final four stage of the competition
‘They searched fans and stopped them when they had fireworks… When fireworks were set off a little later during the entrada, the police deployed a water cannon and horses.
‘Supporters were also arrested during the disturbances that then arose.’
Ajax and Juve are set to go head-to-head for a place in the semi-final of the Champions League, where the victor will face either Tottenham or Manchester City in the final four of the competition.