Spurs fans clash with police at Sevilla match

Seville, Spain - A number of Tottenham Hotspur fans were injured after clashing with Spanish riot police during the first half of their side's Uefa Cup quarterfinal, first leg at Sevilla on Thursday.

Local television reported that a group of Tottenham supporters had entered an unauthorised part of the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and had been removed by the police.

Television pictures showed police massing at one end of the stadium while fans confronted them as they moved in, with seats and projectiles being thrown at the police.

The trouble appeared to die down in the second half and riot police withdrew from the area.

An ITV reporter at the match said that eight people, seven of whom were Tottenham fans, had been taken to hospital with injuries that included cuts, bruises and a broken wrist.

One policeman was also reported to have been taken to hospital.

Local authorities provided an area for the estimated 4 000 visiting fans close to the city's main railway station to provide them with beer and food in the run-up to the match in the hope of keeping them clear of the city centre where large numbers of people are involved in Holy Week religious processions.

The disturbances in the stadium came 24 hours after 18 fans - 14 English and four Italian - were hurt in trouble in Rome where AS Roma beat Manchester United in the Champions League.