SPANISH police fought with players from Peru’s national football team in astonishing scenes outside a Madrid hotel.
The footballers were trying to greet fans waiting for them when the violent scuffle started.
Peru players went to meet their fans in Madrid
A police office shoved one of the players which sparked a melee
ESPNPeru’s goalkeeper complained of the heavy force used by the police[/caption]
Peru are set to take on Morocco in a friendly at the Wanda Metropolitano
Local reports blamed the fracas on the fact some of the officers failed to recognise the stars as professional footballers and confused them with supporters in the bust-up.
A Peruvian fan could be overheard shouting: “Calm down, calm down, they’re players,” as tempers flared and the pushing and shoving threatened to boil over into a full-scale punch-up.
Goalkeeper and captain Pedro Gallese, who plays for MLS club Orlando City, complained: “We wanted to greet the fans and they began to punch us.”
The incident occurred on Monday evening as the Peruvian team reached the hotel where they were staying after their last training session ahead of tonight’s friendly against Morocco in Athletico Madrid’s stadium.
Peru’s goalie could be seen showing off his torn top as he was pushed back towards the hotel entrance moments after he became caught up in the violent confrontation.
The Peruvian Football Federation said in a statement overnight: “We regret the incidents that occurred in Madrid where fans of the team had gathered in traditional fashion to wave flags.
“The Peruvian Football Federation is totally supportive and backs our player and captain Pedro Gallese and have accompanied him since the incident occurred outside the hotel where the team were staying ahead of their friendly against Morocco.
“We reiterate that we are respectful of the authorities and the procedures of each country that we visit.
“For this reason we are at the full disposal of both the internal and external enforcement authorities and supervisory bodies to try to clarify what occurred.”
Urging their fans not to react in an inappropriate way in the coming hours, the federation added: “We call on them to remain calm and we express our firm rejection of violence.”
There has not yet been any official comment from Spain’s National Police.