Merseyside Police say the use of pepper spray towards Leeds fans at Everton on Saturday was “proportionate and essential” throughout an incident the place a person was arrested for assaulting an officer.
Videos of fans being sprayed by officers emerged on social media following Everton’s 3-0 Premier League win at Goodison Park.
The footage reveals police making an attempt to carry again fans as scuffles escape, with a number of supporters rubbing their eyes because the spray takes impact.
Police say the incident occurred after bottles have been thrown at officers and two have been punched within the face as they tried to detain a person, who was reported to have assaulted a steward.
A police assertion stated pepper, or PAVA, spray was “deployed with a purpose to convey the scenario beneath management for the protection of fans”.
Graham Hyde, the vice-chair of the Leeds United Supporters Trust, disagreed that utilizing pepper spray was proportionate.
“We don’t want to see anybody harm together with fans, stewards and police, and would at all times want to see the dealing with of fans executed in a diplomatic and non-inflammatory method,” he stated.
Merseyside Police stated: “At round 4.05pm in the beginning of the second half, it was reported a steward had been headbutted by a person within the away part on the Lower Bullens stand.
“Officers attended and whereas making an attempt to detain the male, different members of the group started to throw bottles at officers and two officers have been punched to the face.
“One man, aged 44, from Skipton, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an officer. He was taken into custody to be interviewed and has been launched beneath investigation.
“When police have been assaulted, officers deployed PAVA spray with a purpose to convey the scenario beneath management for the protection of fans close to to the disturbance.
“Efforts have been made instantly after to establish anybody affected by the spray and present them with aftercare and assist.
“The use of PAVA on this incident has been reviewed by our Professional Standards Department who’re happy that its use was proportionate and essential.
“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and Merseyside Police is analyzing CCTV and working with Everton FC and Leeds United to ascertain the complete circumstances and establish any offenders.”
Hyde stated: “We do not problem there was over-reaction from fans and bottles thrown. We do not wish to see that or anybody’s security endangered.”
But he added: “There at all times appears to be a rush accountable the fans quite than wanting on the complete image.”
Everton declined to remark.
