A police officer was injured, and 10 people arrested – including five on suspicion of tragedy chanting – after trouble flared when Liverpool played Manchester City in a fevered atmosphere at Anfield over the weekend.
Merseyside Police said one man was arrested on suspicion of two offences of assault against a constable, following Sunday’s game in Liverpool, which City won 3-0.
Merseyside Police’s Leanne Hobin called the behaviour – which left a PC with a serious facial injury – “disappointing”, and stressed tragedy chanting “had no place in football”.
Sunday’s match was the first game for City since the club was found guilty of 114 charges over the breaching of Premier League financial rules.
The fan who wounded the PC was arrested on Anfield Road after the game, at around 18:30 BST, and the injured officer taken to hospital for treatment.
He “is now recovering at home”, the force said.
Merseyside Police said one fan was also arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assault, two were arrested for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items on to the pitch.
Ch Insp Hobin said: “The officers and stewards are there to protect the public and keep them safe, and it is extremely disappointing that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out that duty.”
Speaking about the five people arrested over alleged tragedy chanting, Hobin said: “The tragic loss of life should never be a subject for tribal point-scoring.
“Football fans who chant about tragedies cause huge distress to the loved ones of people who died, and their behaviour has absolutely no place in football.
“We will continue to work with clubs to take action to identify any perpetrators and bring them to justice.
She added: “Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”