FC Barcelona La Liga Winners Celebrations Turned Ugly As Rioting Fans Take Over Video

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FC Barcelona La Liga Winners celebrations turned ugly as Rioting Fans take over Video

Police arrested 134 people and more than 150 were injured as Barcelona’s Champions League victory celebrations descended into riots.

Around 100,000 people spilled onto the streets of the Catalan capital after Barcelona’s 2-0 triumph over Manchester United in Rome.

But the carnival atmosphere turned ugly after midnight when youths began clashing with police around Las Ramblas, the city’s most famous street.

Youths hurled bottles as they tried to storm through metal barricades keeping a mob back from shops, prompting a surge by baton-wielding riot officers.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control rioters, who damaged lampposts, telephone kiosks and bus stops, media reports said.

Terrified passersby cowered behind walls as the clashes intensified.

A police statement said 119 arrests were made for public order offences in the city and a total of 134 in the wider Catalan region.

A total of 153 people were injured, said the statement. While most of the injuries were minor, 23 needed hospital treatment.

Spain’s TVE public television said one of its camaraman was among those hurt.

The statement said police had issued “repeated warnings” to the rioters.

The celebrations had started peacefully as thousands of joyous fans, many draped in the dark red and blue of their club, let off fireworks and honked horns.

“Yes, yes, yes, the Cup is here,” shouted supporters.

“I am so happy, we deserved this victory. we’re going to stay out all night as long as the police don’t move us on,” said one young fan, Jordi, at the Canaletes fountain on the Ramblas, where fans traditionally celebrate.

Many fans mocked rivals Real Madrid, who ended the season trophyless — Barca’s own fate for the past two seasons until new coach Pep Guardiola rejuvenated the team this year.

Several other towns in the Catalan region also celebrated, such as Tarragona, Gerona and Lleida.

And in the Spanish capital, Catalans jumped into the fountain in the Plaza Cibeles, the traditional site for celebrations by Real supporters.

The team was meanwhile expected back at Barcelona’s airport on Thursday ahead of a victory parade on an open-top bus through the city to the club’s Camp Nou stadium.

Barca fans had already twice gorged on success in recent days after their team won the Spanish title and lifted the Spanish Cup.

“Champions! (three times)”, headlined the Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.

Barca and their supporters have experienced “the greatest night in their history,” it said.

The nation’s top-selling paper, El Pais, said Barcelona now has “a legendary triple crown” and is “at the top of the world.”

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero — a Barcelona supporter — hailed it as the “dream team” and predicted the country would now do the treble.

“We’ve won the European Cup, today the Champions League and now we will win the World Cup,” a beaming Zapatero, who attended the final in Rome with King Juan Carlos, told Spanish television.

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Tagged with: Barricades • Bus Stops • Carnival Atmosphere • Catalan Region • Cowered • Fc Barcelona • Honked Horns • Lampposts • Las Ramblas • League Victory • Manchester United • Pep Guardiola • Police Statement • Public Order Offences • Real Madrid • Rioters • Rubber Bullets • Street Youths • Telephone Kiosks • Victory Celebrations

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