The Metropolitan Police has commented on the disruption at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. During Chelsea's 1-0 win over Djurgårdens in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final, away fans were spotted in the home stands of the stadium.
An official statement from the club on X read: "At the start of this evening’s #UECL match, Chelsea FC were aware some away fans gained access to areas of the stadium in violation of our ticketing policy. The Chelsea supporters sitting in the immediate areas impacted were relocated, with additional security and police deployed."
Djurgårdens supporters were spotted climbing across the East Stand upper and into the away end in Shed End. There was also a particularly large number of travelling fans in the West Stand at full-time.
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Officers were deployed to support stewards at Stamford Bridge last night after a number of away fans were identified in home stands.
"The fans had purchased tickets but not for the appropriate part of the ground. A number of away fans who had found themselves in the home stands climbed into the designated away stand where they remained without incident.
"Where away fans remained in home areas, officers and stewards provided a visible presence to ensure any incidents or altercations could be dealt with.
"While there were six arrests outside the ground for various offences including assault and possession of drugs, there were no arrests within the ground."
Speaking to reporters after the game, Enzo Maresca heaped praise on his players for reaching the Conferenece League final. The Chelsea manager said: "We were trying to work every day to reach the final, now we are in the final.
"Now the next step is try to win this competition. We have 20 days to prepare the final. Before that, we have three more finals, Premier League finals, and hopefully we can finish in the right way."
On facing Real Betis, who defeated Fiorentina in the other semi-final, Maresca said: "As I said, we have 20 days now to prepare the final. Happy to face Betis, especially because of Manuel Pellegrini.
"I played four years for Sevilla, that is a big derby against Betis. We also won the derby 1-0, and I scored a goal. I know that they don't like me, they don't love me, but in terms of playing this game against Manuel Pellegrini, that is my, I said yesterday, it's like one of my dad, professional dad.
"So we'll be very happy," added the Italian. "For me personally, it's very important, especially because we can give the chance to this club and these fans to be the first club in Europe to win all the competition.
"So first of all for that. And then in terms of group, team, squad, it's important because, don't forget that we start in the play-off of this competition, not even in the group, and to reach the final is important.
"And for me, the Conference League, it's like a starting point to build a winner mentality, and then to try to win more things and more titles, hopefully in the future."
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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