Police blame ‘small minority’ of Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall fans for ‘putting community at risk’

Fans of both teams clashed before and after the match on Saturday (February 1), with two people being arrested and a tram door being kicked in by fans trying to get out of the packed carriage.

Police with dogs escorted away fans between Leppings Lane and the tram stops.

One Wednesday supporter, who filmed the video above on his way home, said that police did not deal with the fans well.

He said: “Millwall fans were walking down from the Leppings Lane end towards Hillsborough tram stop being escorted by police, as they were walking down they were shouting about Millwall and trying to provoke Wednesday fans.

“When they got to the tram stop the majority of the Wednesday fans did not react, we just wanted to get home.

“The Wednesday fan that did move near towards the Millwall fan was bitten in the leg by the police dog, as you can see in the video, and the dog didn’t let go for at least 45 seconds maybe a minute.

“His mates were trying to get him off the dog and the dog off him but you can see police running up to him and hitting him with a baton.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton said: “Saturday’s fixture between Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday was well attended, with the vast majority of fans coming to enjoy the game and what our city has to offer.

“Unfortunately both prior to, and after the game, we did see several incidents of disorder as fans used the tram network to get to and from the stadium. During one of these incidents, a tram window was damaged and officers had to intervene to prevent further clashes.

“It is really disappointing there is a small minority who attend these fixtures intent on committing disorder and as a result put the community, families and police at risk by engaging in behaviour that is totally unacceptable in the eyes of the majority.”