Families who travelled to watch Hull City's Europa League tie in Lokeren have spoken of their shock at the post-match trouble after returning home on the ferry today.
Supporters arriving at King George Dock this morning described how they were pelted with glasses and bottles following the Tigers' 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lokeren.
They told the Mail how police escorted them past the Café De Mierennest, a pub they had specifically been told to avoid by the club and by locals.
Sean Howe, who watched the match with his two young nephews, was among fans who disembarked from the P&O North Sea ferry this morning. Mr Howe, a City fan for more than 30 years, said he had seen "nothing like" the events which unfolded on Thursday night. "The police were very primitive," he said. "They were very heavy-handed and not respectful to the fans at all. "Horses were bottle-necking the city fans and compressing us together. "There was a kid in a wheelchair and a horse narrowly missed trampling on him. His mum was in tears. "Another man got squashed between two horses." Mr Howe described the moment his family walked past De Mierennest pub. "They took us past the pub where people were throwing bottles and glasses at us," he said. "The fans in the pub were not Lokeren fans, they were just looking for trouble. "The police were shocking. They should have taken us in on coaches or via a different route as there was also trouble going in to the ground. A couple of people were arrested then." The deputy mayor of Lokeren told the BBC known troublemakers were inside the pub and said lessons would be learned. Dozens of Lokeren fans contacted the Mail to express their sorrow at the trouble. They have pledged to create an excellent atmosphere for the return leg at the KC Stadium next Thursday. Three City fans and two Belgian people were arrested, but despite facing heavy criticism, Lokeren police released an unapologetic statement blaming a "hardcore" of British and Dutch fans for provoking trouble. Supporters from both clubs, who enjoyed a fans' fest in Lokeren before the match, have insisted no such provocation took place. Hull City said they had spoken with police to try to establish the circumstances around the disorder, while governing body UEFA said it was awaiting a report on the match, due on Monday, before making a decision on whether to take any disciplinary action.
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Sean Howe, who watched the match with his two young nephews, was among fans who disembarked from the P&O North Sea ferry this morning. Mr Howe, a City fan for more than 30 years, said he had seen "nothing like" the events which unfolded on Thursday night. "The police were very primitive," he said. "They were very heavy-handed and not respectful to the fans at all. "Horses were bottle-necking the city fans and compressing us together. "There was a kid in a wheelchair and a horse narrowly missed trampling on him. His mum was in tears. "Another man got squashed between two horses." Mr Howe described the moment his family walked past De Mierennest pub. "They took us past the pub where people were throwing bottles and glasses at us," he said. "The fans in the pub were not Lokeren fans, they were just looking for trouble. "The police were shocking. They should have taken us in on coaches or via a different route as there was also trouble going in to the ground. A couple of people were arrested then." The deputy mayor of Lokeren told the BBC known troublemakers were inside the pub and said lessons would be learned. Dozens of Lokeren fans contacted the Mail to express their sorrow at the trouble. They have pledged to create an excellent atmosphere for the return leg at the KC Stadium next Thursday. Three City fans and two Belgian people were arrested, but despite facing heavy criticism, Lokeren police released an unapologetic statement blaming a "hardcore" of British and Dutch fans for provoking trouble. Supporters from both clubs, who enjoyed a fans' fest in Lokeren before the match, have insisted no such provocation took place. Hull City said they had spoken with police to try to establish the circumstances around the disorder, while governing body UEFA said it was awaiting a report on the match, due on Monday, before making a decision on whether to take any disciplinary action.
