Baton-wielding Spanish riot police clash with Wolves fans in Barcelona ahead of their Europa League game at Espanyol, with one supporter left unconscious in the street
- Wolves supporters in Barcelona clashed with Spanish riot police on Wednesday
- The Premier League side are in Spain to face Espanyol in the Europa League
- One supporter was seen lying on the ground unconscious following the clashes
A number of Wolves fans clashed with Spanish police in Barcelona ahead of their Europa League second leg against Espanyol on Thursday.
Footage which emerged on social media showed a group of men, some seen wearing Wolves shirts, confronting police who were holding batons, carrying riot shields and wearing helmets.
In the video, police are seen retreating and one man in a white t-shirt is seen lying on the ground, appearing to be unconscious as other supporters attend to him.
Spanish riot police (left) are seen holding batons during a clash with Wolves fans in Barcelona ahead of the Premier League side’s meeting with Espanyol in the Europa League last-32
Footage with emerged on social media of the late-night clashes showed police in a stand-off with the Wolves fans with one supporter (right) lying on the floor unconscious
As tensions escalate during the stand-off, irate members of the group of men are captured picking up tables and small stands outside restaurants to throw at police.
When one is thrown, despite others being advised that it is not a good idea, the police proceed to close the distance between themselves and the supporters in the narrow street.
Speaking to the Express and Star, one supporter claimed the altercation was ‘totally unprovoked’.
Some Wolves fans confronted the police while a table stand (right) was thrown towards them
‘It was totally unprovoked. Just barbaric,’ he said.
‘We were just having a few drinks in a bar off one of the main squares. At about 10.30pm it began to close so they gave us plastic glasses and we went outside. But then 10 police vans show up and riot police get out with shields.
Wolves face Espanyol on Thursday night at the RCDE Stadium and so a number of their travelling support travelled out early to make the most of the visit.
The West Midlands side hold a comfortable lead from the first-leg having ran out 4-0 winners at Molineux a week ago.
They have impressed in the competition and remain a force to be reckoned with under Nuno Espirito Santo, but the incident with police and supporters provided a sour note on the eve of the game.
This is not the first violent clashes involving Wolves fans during this Europa League campaign. Travelling fans clashed with Standard Liege fans with both sets of supporters basing themselves in Porto as Wolves faced Braga and Liege were taking on Guimaraes.
The clashes on Wednesday night are the latest involving the fans of an English team playing in Spain.
In 2018, a video emerged of Chelsea fans being hit by batons by security staff as they attempted to leave the Nou Camp following defeat by Barcelona.
Chelsea fans were hit with batons by security staff after a game in Barcelona back in 2018
That particular clip showed around 20 security personnel wearing flourescent jackets charging towards Chelsea fans and lashing out with batons as they tried to exit the stadium.
A number of Leicester fans visiting Seville in 2017 ahead of their Champions League meeting had an altercation with Spanish police as they tried to clear the group from the middle of a street.