Hundreds arrested after fans clash

16 Mar, 2009 01:02 / Updated 15 years ago

Over six hundred people were arrested Sunday after rioting at a football match in the Russian capital.

Violent confrontations inside the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow took place between supporters of Spartak Moscow and Zenit Saint-Petersburg.

Police moved into the stadium to stop clashing fans who were tearing seats from their bases and throwing them into the crowds. Fans from both teams used fireworks as weapons and proceeded to beat each other.

It was reported that during the match Zenit fans tried to provoke fights with Spartak fans as well as the police. Police say most of those arrested were drunk.

The two teams have a long-standing tradition of mutual antagonism.