Celtic fans and Spanish fans police clash ahead of tonight’s Europa League tie

Six Celtic fans were arrested by Spanish Police during a night of disturbances in the city of Valencia on Wednesday.

Pictures posted on social media appeared to show officers firing rubber balls at visiting supporters and using their batons on pub-goers.

Up to 10,000 Hoops followers are expected in Valencia to take in tonight’s ‘high risk’ Europa League match with the host city.

With an official allocation of 2,700 tickets, many have travelled in the hope of finding a seat in the impressive Mestalla stadium, located in the heart of a residential area.

This morning, a spokeswoman for the National Police in Valencia catalogued the various grounds for arrests among the Celtic fans who had been partying in the city’s bars on Wednesday night.

She said:”We have six people under arrest, five of them for public disturbance.

As far as the public disturbance allegations are concerned, she said those arrested had thrown furniture, rubbish and glasses at police officers attending a local bar.

She said a Police car had been damaged in one incident and fans had gone into a bus stop and refused to move on.

She added:”One person has been arrested for drugs offences. He was coming by train from Castillon to Valencia with other supporters, who were causing trouble on the train.

Asked about allegations Police had been heavy-handed, she replied:”The Police did not do anything.”

Yet social media was today awash with clips filmed on mobile phones where officers were lashing out with their batons. In another clip, an armed officer pursues supporters and opens fire with what appears to be large rubber balls.

One fan, called FAC, wrote on Twitter: ”Some appalling footage appearing tonight, showing Spanish Police violently attacking supporters without provocation in Valencia.

“We urge all fans to stay safe and, if necessary, to document any abuses, especially if arrests are made.”

Before the trouble erupted, Celtic had appealed to supporters to stay away from the stadium if they did not have a ticket.

Club security chief Ronnie Hawthorn said:”The message from the club is that only those with tickets should try to approach the stadium.

“If you have got a ticket, great. Enjoy what should be a fabulous experience. But if you don’t have a ticket, watch it in a bar instead.

“It is a common-sense approach, one that Valencia and the Foreign Office have issued as well.”