There were 10 Manchester United fans arrested on Wednesday in connection to an organised brawl that took place against FC Twente supporters in September.
10 Manchester United Fans Arrested
When Manchester United took on FC Twente in September, there were reports of a bare knuckle brawl taking place in a wasteland on the afternoon before their Europa League clash.
This week 10 fans connected to the violence were arrested in a raid by the police, with supporters aged between 20 and 64 taken out of their homes at dawn.
The frightening scenes took place in broad daylight on September 24th, as around 40 thugs with balaclavas took to a wasteland in Manchester for an organised bare knuckle brawl against a similar number of Dutch fans.
Although there was no weapons used in the fight, organising a mass brawl with such violence in the public eye was an immediate concern for the police.
Man United & Twente Fans Plan Brawl
25/09/2024, Manchester United🏴 vs FC Twente🇳🇱, 40×40 fair fight, win Manchester United (on photo). Twente run pic.twitter.com/5jlE41r2vf
— 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (@thecasualultra) September 25, 2024
But after months of investigation, fans have finally be arrested for their actions in the scrap with all involved held for 24 hours while further inquiries take place.
Two different cannabis farms were also found at suspects’ residence during the raid, with a woman arrested under suspicion of cultivation.
The raids were planned for this week in a wide-spread effort to stop the violence between fans ahead of the Manchester derby which is coming up on Sunday.
In a statement from the police, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose said: “Our proactive and positive action today as been targeted to highlight that organised violence of any kind has no place in Greater Manchester.
“It does not reflect most people who go to events and games without any intention to cause fear or to commit crime.
“With another big fixture coming this weekend we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained so you can enjoy the game.”
Those who were arrested on Wednesday are expected to be banned for at least the derby this weekend with a possibility of a lengthier ban for hooliganism.