Football fans have been embroiled in violent clashes ahead of today’s Sky Bet Championship derby match between Cardiff City and Bristol City.
Footage posted online this afternoon shows crowds of supporters clashing with police officers both on foot and on horseback in Cardiff city centre.
They can be seen gathering near the junction of St Mary Street and Wood Street and hurling missiles including beer cans at the Prince of Wales pub ahead of the Severnside derby.
One witness said: ‘Football fans are hitting our bus as they go past, a masked one just booted the door of the bus that we are on. He’s cracked the glass. Bus driver has some sort of radio telling all buses to avoid town centre.’
One man has been arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offence.
South Wales Police said it was ‘aware of some incidents of disorder’.
The spokesperson went on: ‘A derby fixture such as this always comes with a highly charged atmosphere.
‘Unfortunately, there will always be a minority that will seek to engage in disorder but officers are responding quickly to stop any such incidents.
Footage posted online this afternoon shows crowds of supporters clashing with police officers both on foot and on horseback (Picture://x.com/JF___9)
‘A policing operation is in place to ensure both sets of supporters can leave the stadium safely following the match.’
Yousef Salech struck a 90th-minute equaliser to earn relegation-threatened Cardiff a 1-1 draw against play-off hopefuls Bristol City.
The rivalry between two clubs representing cities around 40 miles apart has produced some memorable battles over the years.
But this was a cagey contest of little note until both sides began to take more risks after the break.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason Knight had put the Robins in front on the hour mark by heading home Yu Hirakawa’s free-kick for his third goal of the season.
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