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17 arrests as Middlesbrough and Derby fans fight; emergency workers assaulted

17 arrests were made as Middlesbrough and Derby fans fight and emergency workers got assaulted after the Championship clash.

Fans attending Boro’s home game against the Rams were told to behave amid fears of tension over a recently resolved court dispute.

Cleveland Police said the “vast majority” did so but a “minority were intent on spoiling the day”.

Offences included assaulting emergency workers, failing to disperse and possessing a flare state the BBC.

The game had looked set to be played against a hostile backdrop until former Rams owner Mel Morris reached an accord with Boro owner Steve Gibson over the latter’s compensation claim on Friday.

Boro had launched legal proceedings, claiming Derby’s financial breaches cost them a play-off place in 2018-19.

But the duo said in a statement that they had reached a “resolution” over the compensation claim.

Middlesbrough won 4-1 at the Riverside Stadium moving them up to sixth and leaving Derby 23rd in the second tier table.

Police said there were “pockets of disorder” at the stadium and across the town centre, before, during and after the match.

A spokesman said officers would be reviewing video footage to “identify and take action against anyone else suspected of being involved in disorder and criminality”.

Supt Dave Sutherland, said it had been a “very busy afternoon with a number of challenges sent our way”.

He said there was 17 arrests as Middlesbrough and Derby fans fight: “Officers were on hand to engage with fans from both clubs at locations across the town and to provide reassurance to licensed premises – as well as to take robust action where it was needed.

“The vast majority of fans from both clubs were simply there to have an enjoyable afternoon watching their team but sadly there was a small minority of people intent on taking part in disorder or criminality.

“Our officers worked tirelessly to tackle this where it did occur, and their dedication and professionalism was second to none.

“I’d also like to thank licensees, both football clubs, St John Ambulance, BTP and our colleagues at Derbyshire and Northumbria Police for their input and support with the policing operation.

“We have a number of people in custody and they will be dealt with appropriately. In the meantime enquiries are on-going and I’d appeal for anyone with information or perhaps mobile phone footage of any disorder or incidents to contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number, quoting Ref 23897.

“If you don’t want to speak to police, you can pass information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.”

Middlesbrough had increased security and took action to protect chairman Steve Gibson before Saturday’s match with crisis club Derby.

Derby are in administration and still facing the threat of liquidation, and leading up to the gme, until Friday, Gibson was under scrutiny for launching a compensation claim of over £40 million against Boro’s Championship rivals in May 2019.

The bitter row saw seen as the main hurdle to a Derby takeover, with three bidders growing increasingly frustrated at the impasse, and Gibson expected a hostile reception from over 2,000 Derby fans this weekend. However he and Derby has secret talks and Middlesbrough will seemingly back down from their claim.

With arrests and fan violence on the rise across the country, the EFL is extremely concerned and ahead of Saturday’s match it was revealed that the match was classed as a ‘Category C’ fixture, which is designated as a game with ‘a high risk of disorder’

Boro took an unusual step of ensuring all seats behind the director’s box in the West Stand, where Gibson would be sat, were only available to home supporters with a previous booking history

Security had been beefed up inside and outside the stadium, with a heavy police presence and the EFL had held talks with Middlesbrough and Derby to discuss the safety operation amid fears over trouble.

It would seem that couldn’t be prevented with a number left hurt after the game.

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder:

“We got a bit sloppy and a bit loose after we went up in the game in terms of possession.

“They had a certain amount of possession as well but we settled down once we got our noses back in front and it was a great boost to go in at half-time 3-1 up.

“We kept moving it and yet again Isaiah Jones has found himself in a great position. We’ve managed to finish that off.

“As what happens, they open up and change their shape. They have to take big chances and it opens it up for us as well.”

Derby manager Wayne Rooney:

“I thought it was quite an even game first half.

“I felt we had bits of control of it and we got the equaliser, and we were OK, and then we concede two sloppy goals, we need to look at.

“I take responsibility for the result because I tried something with Tom Lawrence and Luke Plange, to leave them high up the pitch and try and play a little bit on the counter attack, and that didn’t pay off. I take full responsibility for that.”

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