After their 3-1 win over Maribor at the Elland Road in the first leg of the Europa League qualifiers, Rangers paved their way to the main competition following their 0-0 draw in the second-leg at the Ljudski Stadion on Thursday. Steven Gerrard’s men have certainly looked convincing so far this season.
However, Rangers fans were involved in altercations prior to the fixture as they clashed with Slovenian police. Scenes were pretty ugly and despite the fact that no police officers were injured, five Scots and one Austrian were arrested by the police for obvious reasons.
In fact, health of some of the fans also got compromised. Reportedly, one of the Scots was taken to Maribor University Medical Centre due to severe intoxication and health problems and a Scottish woman was also taken to the aforementioned hospital after she was exposed to tear gas.
Some of the fans were also fined for their disruptive behaviour and there is no denying that such activities are completely unacceptable in the game of football. Although the accused persons were later released, police officials are set to file complaints against them.
A Maribor Police spokesman said: “During the escort, at the Mladinska Ulica street, six foreign (five Scottish and one Austrian citizen) citizens suddenly started to attack police officers with punches and different objects. The police officers subdued, arrested and detained them.”
