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Wolves fans in Braga were ‘hit by batons’

RANGERS fans have been warned they face a nightmare experience for their Europa League last-32 tie against Braga in Portugal after Wolves supporters were ‘battered with batons’ outside the ground when they played there last month.

Steven Gerrard’s side will take on the 2011 Europa League runners-up at Ibrox on Thursday, February 20, with the second leg at the 30,286-capacity Estadio Municipal de Braga six days later.

Around 6,000 Wolves fans made the trip when Nuno Espirito Santo’s side played Braga in the group stage and returned with a 3-3 draw.

But, off the pitch, there were major problems which led to the Molineux club making an official complaint to UEFA about the treatment of their fans.

A club statement said: ‘Wolves can confirm a formal complaint has been submitted to UEFA regarding a number of safety and security concerns during the club’s Europa League game against SC Braga.

‘The club has received an unprecedented number of complaints from supporters who were left disappointed, distressed and in some cases injured, during entry to the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

‘Wolves takes the safety of its supporters extremely seriously. Such incidents are not what is expected when attending events organised by UEFA or its member clubs.’

London Wolves Supporters Club member, Pete Carvell, said: ‘The behaviour of the security was ridiculous. We had phone chargers, flags and even an apple confiscated but managed to recover most items after the game. Possessions were strewn all over the floor in the mud when we emerged from the ground at full-time.

‘Some of the police were being heavy handed, seemingly unprovoked and some of the fans were complaining about being battered with batons.’

Braga refused to take responsibility and pointed out: ‘In the statement released by the English club, at no point was responsibility attributed to SC Braga for the facts reported to Wolves by their supporters.

‘It is important to highlight the absence of occurrences within the stadium and that throughout the match a healthy environment prevailed, allowing fans of both teams to enjoy the game and their emotions. We take the safety of the fans extremely seriously.’