Manchester United and Tottenham supporters have descended on Bilbao before the Europa League final but their behaviour has stunned the locals amid reports of widespread vandalism
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18:12, 21 May 2025
Bilbao locals have clashed with Man Utd fans
Bilbao locals have clashed with Man Utd fans(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United and Tottenham fans have left Bilbao locals stunned with their behaviour as one resident had to stop a fan from climbing onto his balcony after scaling some scaffolding amid reports of widespread vandalism.
The two sets of Premier League fans have descended on the Spanish city ahead of the Europa League final on Wednesday night. It is estimated more than 80,000 fans have travelled despite the stadium itself only holding 50,000. Thousands of Tottenham fans gathered along two major avenues in the centre of Bilbao which bought traffic to a halt as they drank beer and sang late into Tuesday night.
Fans climbed lampposts, destroyed traffic lights and vandalised other property as shocked residents looked on. Izaro Laka, 65, who lives close to where they had gathered told the Daily Mail: "I’ve never seen people so drunk and behaving so badly. The English are yobs and all they want to do when they come to Spain is drink and cause trouble.
"I’m used to seeing football fans coming to Bilbao from all over Spain and Europe because the ground is very close to me. But these English fans are like out-of-control animals."
Some United fans housed themselves in Bilbao’s historic quarter. One fan attempted to climb up scaffolding to get to the balcony of an overlooking flat. The furious owner rushed into his property and came out with a cane to halt his progress.
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United fans also took over the Plaza Neuva, situated in the heart of Bilbao’s old town. It was soon draped with the team's colours as fans let off red flares and clambered onto tables and chairs with alcohol consumption continuing to rack up.
Another individual who is a regular at the Sorginzulo bar in Plaza Nueva, considered one of the finest in the city, said: "We love our football in Bilbao, but the conduct of these people disgusts me. I don’t understand why they behave like this, they should be ashamed of themselves.
Both sets of supporters have not well been well received by the city's residents
Both sets of supporters have not well been well received by the city's residents
"This part of Bilbao is very beautiful and historic, tourists love coming here. But we don’t want people like this, our lives have been disrupted and I can’t wait for them to go home."
It was also reported that the two sets of fans clashed in San Sebastian and Santander, which is some 50 miles away from Bilbao, but is where where many supporters have chosen to stay due to the hotel prices around the San Mames.
One 80-year-old resident in Bilbao said: "It's only the English that do this. They get very drunk, that's the main problem. I'm sure a lot of them are very nice when they're sober but once they've had a drink they become hooligans."
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