Three men, aged 24, 30 and 39, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder
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(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Police investigating a huge organised fight involving Manchester United supporters and rivals from Holland in Salford last year have arrested three men on suspicion of violent disorder.
Officers arrested the men, aged 24, 30 and 39, during swoops on Thursday morning, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed to the Manchester Evening News.
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The three men, who remain in police custody, are being held on suspicion of violent disorder following a huge organised fight which took place ahead of United's Europa League match against Dutch side FC Twente last year.
The fight between a reported 80 men erupted near a pub in Lower Broughton on the afternoon of September 25 but by the time Greater Manchester Police attended the supporters had fled and made their way into Manchester city centre. Pictures later appeared online of what appeared to be masked United hooligans who claimed their Dutch rivals ended up running away,
The following night United played out a 1-1 draw with FC Twente at Old Trafford in the Europa League.
Detectives from Greater Manchester Police have been quietly investigating the scrap. It is understood they have identified at least 14 people thought to have been involved in the fighting.
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It brings the total number of men arrested to 13, on top of the ten others suspects arrested in November. The three men arrested today are expected to be released on bail.
However, it is understood all 13 suspects will be placed on police bail conditions which prevent them being in the vicinity of Old Trafford on Sunday when United and Manchester City play the second derby of the season.
As with all Manchester derby fixtures, the game is being treated as a 'high risk' game by Greater Manchester Police which means there will be a significant police presence on the day.
Following December's derby at the Etihad stadium, which United won 2-1, police arrested 11 people, including five for so-called 'tragedy chanting'.
FC Twente fans on way to Old Trafford(Image: Scott Dawson)
Following this morning's action, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, head of Special Operations at GMP and 'gold commander' in charge of policing the Manchester derby, said: “Today’s direct action and arrests demonstrate again our commitment to tackling disorder across the region and that includes football matches.
“With the Manchester derby this weekend, this is a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, will not be tolerated by Greater Manchester Police.
“We do understand both Manchester clubs have passionate fan bases, and a derby especially always brings excitement, with the vast majority supporting their teams and focussing on the events on the pitch.”