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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Record Reporter

Rangers fans party in Seville under watchful eye of Spanish riot cops

Fresh droves of Rangers fans have flooded into cafes, bars and restaurants, to start the pre-final party under the close watch of Spanish riot cops.

Supporters have poured into the city's venues after more planes, trains and buses touched down on Monday, two days ahead of the team's clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.

One prime location for Gers fans has been the Plaza Alameda de Hercules - a recently regenerated nightlife hotspot.

The quarter-mile long stretch is lined with National Police Corps, and will serve as a meeting point for fans heading to the game on match day.

Cops rolled up in an armoured riot van to monitor fans (Daily Record)

But two days before kickoff, fired-up Light Blues followers appeared to prove too much for the 5,500 police officers and private security contractors who handle urban patrolling of Spain's cities.

As they started up a singalong of Gers tunes outside one hospitality venue, an armoured police van rolled up and around half a dozen officers stepped out.

Patches on their uniforms suggested they were UIP officers - Police Intervention Units, the Spaniards' urban riot cops.

The officers stood by and watched for around ten minutes as the fans continued to chant.

However, they eventually returned to their van and left the scene, seemingly satisfied that the jolly fans were not a threat to public safety.

More than 5,500 police officers and private security contractors are being deployed in Seville this week to maintain law and order, with cops moving into a "pre-critical" stage of peacekeeping on Tuesday.

"Critical" policing will begin from 3pm on match day on Wednesday.

Rangers fans have insisted that they are in town to have a good time without crossing the line into hooliganism.

Donald Stout, 50, who flew for 30 hours from Sydney at a cost of $30,000 to cheer the team on, told our reporter: "We're all here to do well by the team."

Another fan added: "The last thing any of us want is trouble. We're not here to cause trouble or smear the good name of Glasgow Rangers."

Spanish officers bore "UIP" patches signifying their riot police status (Daily Record)

The Gers face off against t heir opponents at 8pm UK time on Wednesday.

More than 100,000 Gers fans are expected to descend on Andalusia this week, along with 60,000 Eintracht Frankfurt supporters - despite UEFA bosses advising ticketless fans not to travel.

A fanzone set up at La Cartuja stadium will accommodate 60,000 with a live broadcast of the match, which is being played at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium across the city.

Keep up with the Daily Record's on-the-ground Seville coverage: follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our daily newsletters here.

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