BURNLEY’S TURF WAR

BURNLEY’S pre-season ‘friendly’ with Hannover 96 was abandoned after travelling German supporters clashed with police.

A Turf Moor stand quickly turned into a battleground shortly after Ben Mee had given Sean Dyche’s side a 1-0 lead. Armed with knives and with their faces covered by scarves, some of the Bundesliga side’s fans tried to attack the Burnley supporters who were being protected by a police cordon.

Seats were ripped up and flung with other missiles at Burnley fans.

It is understood two police officers were knocked unconscious and had to be taken to hospital leaving the match commander to order the game to be abandoned.

The players were informed at half-time that they would not be coming out again.

Police then kept behind the 390 visiting fans, some of whom have a reputation in Germany for causing trouble.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell of Lancashire Police said a “robust policing operation” was in place based on “pre-game intelligence” and that additional resources from across the county have been brought in.