Mob of ‘100 masked males’ trigger chaos by way of Cardiff metropolis centre earlier than soccer conflict
South Wales Police have confirmed “some incidents of disorder” took place in Cardiff city centre today, ahead of the Championship match between Cardiff City and Bristol City
Shocking footage has emerged showing a mob of football fans causing chaos in a city centre. The pandemonium erupted in Cardiff today (February 15), with police confirming “some incidents of disorder” ahead of the Championship clash between Cardiff City and Bristol City.
Eyewitnesses reported being warned by officers to steer clear of certain parts of the city for their safety, while some claimed to have seen up to 100 masked hooligans allegedly vandalising bus windows and menacing pedestrians. A video from the scene captures what is claimed to be Bristol City supporters storming a Wetherspoon pub and hurling objects, until mounted police and their on-foot counterparts pushed them back down the street.
Bus drivers were also alerting each other to avoid the city centre after attacks on vehicles began. One shocked onlooker recounted: “Football fans are hitting our bus as they go past, a masked one just booted the door of the bus that we are on. He’s cracked the glass. Bus driver has some sort of radio telling all buses to avoid town centre.”
Police have confirmed they made one arrest for a public order offence.
The match at Cardiff City Stadium, which kicked off early, ended in a 1-1 draw. South Wales Police had an operation in place to ensure “both sets of supporters can leave the stadium safely”, reports the Mirror.
A statement from the force said: “South Wales Police is aware of some incidents of disorder that took place in Cardiff city centre ahead of today’s Championship match between Cardiff City and Bristol City at Cardiff City Stadium. One man was arrested for a public order offence in connection to this disorder.
“Officers have been very busy in ensuring supporters get to the stadium as safely as possible. A derby fixture such as this always comes with a highly charged atmosphere. Unfortunately there will always a be a minority that will seek to engage in disorder, but officers responded quickly to stop any such incidents. A policing operation was put in place to ensure both sets of supporters left the stadium safely following the match.”
Most of the incidents of disorder were reported in the morning before the game. The leader of Cardiff Council insisted this afternoon that there was “no reason to stay away” from the city centre.
Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council, wrote on social media: “Whilst it’s disappointing to see the behaviour of a handful of idiots, there are no ongoing issues in Cardiff city centre, and no reason to stay away. I’m told the incidents occurred around 10.30am – grateful to South Wales Police for dealing with it swiftly.”
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