Rabat – Videos of clashes between Peruvian football players and Spanish police have been going viral online since Monday evening.
The clashes reportedly erupted when Spanish police allegedly hit a number of Peruvian football players while they were greeting their fans who had come out to welcome and support them ahead of their friendly game against Morocco.
Spanish sports news outlet AS quoted Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese as saying: “We wanted to greet the people and they [the police] started hitting us.”
Videos circulating online show football players, including Yoshimar Yotuan, arguing with a Spanish policeman who pushed him. The situation resulted in clashes between the players and police.
Sports reporter Diego Montalvan shared one of the videos online, showing police and football players pulling and pushing each other.
“Incident between Peru National Team and Spanish police!! My understanding is that Spanish police started something with Yotun and then Gallese and Valera defended him,” Montalvan said.
Incident between Perú National Team and Spanish police!!
My understanding, is that the Spanish police started something with Yotún and then Gallese and Valera defended him.
Will report more soon… pic.twitter.com/xJwdPtk3xl
— Diego Montalvan (@DMontalvan) March 27, 2023
The sports reporter said that several Peruvian players went to the police station to give their statements following the incident.
“Pedro Gallese is the only player left at the station according to the consulate! An officer said that El Pulpo hit him,” the sports reporter added in a tweet.
The clashes between the Peruvian team and Spanish police officers came on the eve of the South American players’ friendly game against Morocco. The match will take place this evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Civitas Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid.
