Cimbom fans arrested after extensive damage to Arsenal’s Emirates stadium

Galatasaray fans with lit flares at Emirates Stadium. Photo: John Walton

NEWS/UK

Arsenal Football Club was counting the cost of hosting one of Turkey’s top sides. On Wednesday night they beat Galatasaray 4.1 during a Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium. The match was marred by disturbances caused by the visiting fans.

Photo: Evening Standard

Flares were thrown onto the pitch by Galatasaray supporters, which forced the referee to stop the match in the 34^th minute. As frustrations boiled over at the end of the game following Cimbom’s heavy defeat, away fans then proceeded to rip out some 100 seats and daub graffiti in the stadium. The incidents have prompted investigations from the Metropolitan Police and UEFA. 

According to the Evening Standard, police have charged two men following the disturbances. Ugar Meydan, 40, a hairdresser from Scotland, was charged with possession of a flare when entering a sporting ground. Firat Kaygun, 23, of Norfolk, was charged with throwing a missile on the pitch. The men will appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court later this month.

The Islington Gazette reports a further five Turkish supporters were arrested for a variety of offences prior to the kick-off. Police have said they will be reviewing CCTV, both from inside the stadium and in the surrounding streets, in order to identify anyone who committed offences.

Cimbom goalie Fernando Muslera removes a flare thrown onto the pitch. Photo: John Walton