Young Boys Fans Arrested After Crowd Disturbance at Villa Park

Two supporters of Young Boys were arrested following a violent incident during their UEFA Europa League match against Aston Villa on March 14, 2024. The match, held at Villa Park, saw West Midlands Police (WMP) intervene after disorder erupted in the stands, leading to the suspension of the game for over five minutes.

According to WMP, the arrests were made “on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer.” The tension began in the first half when Young Boys’ fans threw objects at Villa’s Donyell Malen, who had just scored the opening goal. The match was briefly halted after Malen was struck by debris, resulting in a minor injury.

WMP Superintendent Paul Minor emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We won’t tolerate violence of any kind at football matches.” He noted that while the majority of fans were well-behaved, a small group caused significant disruption. Police are currently reviewing body-worn video and CCTV footage to investigate the incident further.

Young Boys manager Gerardo Seoane expressed regret over the actions of the travelling fans but noted that Malen’s celebration in front of them may have provoked the unrest. After scoring his first goal in the 27th minute, Malen was again targeted during his second celebration just before half-time, prompting a stronger police presence in front of the away supporters.

The referee, Georgi Kabakov, intervened to address the situation, speaking with Villa’s captain, Youri Tielemans, as well as Seoane. Young Boys captain Loris Benito urged fans to cease their disruptive behavior, while several individuals were removed from the stadium by security personnel.

Despite the chaos, Aston Villa secured a 2-1 victory, with Young Boys’ Joel Monteiro netting a consolation goal in the final moments of the match. The incidents at Villa Park serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement at sporting events and the ongoing need for measures to ensure fan safety.