This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-40654144
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Aberdeen fans attacked ahead of Bosnia Europa League tie | Aberdeen fans attacked ahead of Bosnia Europa League tie |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two Aberdeen fans have been treated for injuries after supporters were attacked in Bosnia ahead of the club's Europa League game against Siroki Brijeg. | Two Aberdeen fans have been treated for injuries after supporters were attacked in Bosnia ahead of the club's Europa League game against Siroki Brijeg. |
About 50 supporters were subjected to an unprovoked attack outside the Black Dog Pub in Mostar on Wednesday. | |
A group of about a dozen masked men set off flares and attacked the Aberdeen fans with baseball bats and metal bars. | A group of about a dozen masked men set off flares and attacked the Aberdeen fans with baseball bats and metal bars. |
The attackers are understood to have been linked to a rival Bosnian club rather than Siroki Brijeg. | |
In a statement posted on its website, Siroki Brijeg said it "strongly condemned the hooligan attack". | |
The club, which is based in the town of the same name about 12 miles from Mostar, said it had set up a fan zone ahead of Thursday evening's match, and guaranteed there would be "maximum security" for the Aberdeen fans. | The club, which is based in the town of the same name about 12 miles from Mostar, said it had set up a fan zone ahead of Thursday evening's match, and guaranteed there would be "maximum security" for the Aberdeen fans. |
Siroki Brijeg also thanked Aberdeen and its supporters for the "extraordinary welcome" they had received in Scotland during last week's first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw. | |
About 200 Aberdeen supporters were expected to attend the second-leg tie in Bosnia. | |
Siroki Brijeg were recently ordered to play three matches behind closed doors by the country's football association after the club's fans chanted fascist slogans during a match with Sarajevo in May. | |
'Masked guys' | 'Masked guys' |
Aberdeen-based journalist Derek Ironside, who was at the pub in the old town area of Mostar, told BBC Scotland that the atmosphere had been "very good natured, with not a hint of trouble or hassle at all". | |
He added: "Everybody was just enjoying themselves, it was a good atmosphere, very relaxed. | He added: "Everybody was just enjoying themselves, it was a good atmosphere, very relaxed. |
"Then all of a sudden down this small, narrow lane came a group of about 12 masked guys with flares. They started throwing the flares towards the Aberdeen fans, and I think they had weapons as well." | "Then all of a sudden down this small, narrow lane came a group of about 12 masked guys with flares. They started throwing the flares towards the Aberdeen fans, and I think they had weapons as well." |
Mr Ironside said he believed one Aberdeen fan "looked quite badly injured" and had been taken to hospital. | Mr Ironside said he believed one Aberdeen fan "looked quite badly injured" and had been taken to hospital. |
Aberdeen Evening Express journalist Sean Wallace was also among those caught up in the violence. | Aberdeen Evening Express journalist Sean Wallace was also among those caught up in the violence. |
He wrote on Twitter: "Sore head after being bottled by masked Bosnian hooligans in Mostar. Also cuts to legs after being hit by flare in Mostar. Sore but ok." | He wrote on Twitter: "Sore head after being bottled by masked Bosnian hooligans in Mostar. Also cuts to legs after being hit by flare in Mostar. Sore but ok." |
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Black Dog Pub offered its "sincere apologies" to the Aberdeen fans. | In a statement on its Facebook page, the Black Dog Pub offered its "sincere apologies" to the Aberdeen fans. |
It said: "This was a football rivalry-related incident and is not normal in the old city of Mostar. | It said: "This was a football rivalry-related incident and is not normal in the old city of Mostar. |
"The police are involved and people have been identified. If anyone has any more info please pass it forward. | "The police are involved and people have been identified. If anyone has any more info please pass it forward. |
"Because of this incident, we are asking the good people of Mostar to please come around the old city this weekend and show your support that Mostar is a safe place for tourists and everyone." | "Because of this incident, we are asking the good people of Mostar to please come around the old city this weekend and show your support that Mostar is a safe place for tourists and everyone." |
Previous version
1
Next version