Tottenham and Manchester United Fans Clash on the Streets of Bilbao
Police Deploy 2,000 Officers as Tensions Rise Ahead of Europa League Final
Son Heungmin Aims to Join Cha Bumkun as Korean Europa League Champion
Ahead of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) final, some fans of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United engaged in street brawls.
According to AP and Spanish media outlets, fans of both teams fought in the streets and bars of Bilbao, Spain, where the final will be held on May 22, 2025 (Korea Standard Time). They threw bottles and trash bins during the altercations. Some fans even climbed traffic lights, tore them down, and lifted them as if they were trophies. These clashes occurred not only in Bilbao but also in various cities near San Sebastian.
Local authorities deployed 2,000 police officers, but some fans were already beyond the scope of control. A spokesperson for the Basque regional police stated, "There were no serious injuries or arrests in Bilbao or San Sebastian."
British media estimated that between 50,000 and 80,000 English football fans had gathered in Bilbao and nearby areas ahead of the final. However, with only 15,000 tickets allocated to each club for the 53,000-seat San Mames Stadium, it appears that many fans were unable to secure tickets. Local accommodation prices have skyrocketed and there are almost no vacant rooms, yet fans continue to arrive.
Meanwhile, Tottenham and Manchester United, both of whom had the worst seasons in the English Premier League, will face each other in this Europa League final. If Tottenham defeats Manchester United and wins the title, the club will end a 17-year trophy drought since winning the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season. Tottenham will also secure a spot in next season's Champions League (UCL).
In particular, if Tottenham wins, Son Heungmin will become another Korean player to lift the trophy in this competition, following former national team coach Cha Bumkun, who led Frankfurt (Germany) to UEFA Cup (the predecessor of the Europa League) victories in 1980 and 1988.
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