Bolton Fans Suffer “Unprovoked Baton Charges.” HATE When That Happens.

By: Laurie | February 22nd, 2008

A few weeks back, right before striker Nicolas Anelka left Bolton for Chelsea, I saw a piece on Fox Soccer where they interviewed fans on the street in Bolton about what would happen if Anelka left. There were middle-aged granny types speaking of the loss of Anelka the same way they would speak about their own grandchild getting kidnapped. These people care deeply. This team matters to them.

Bolton has not had a fantastic season in the EPL this year. They’re currently just three points above the relegation zone. But against the odds they’ve had a good run in the UEFA Cup, making it to the knockout stages, where they scraped out a 1-0 win at home against Atletico Madrid.

A group of Bolton fans traveled away to Spain to watch the second leg this week and received less than a warm welcome from the police.

Bolton have lodged an official complaint with UEFA at what they have branded the “overzealous and disproportionate” treatment of their fans by Spanish police at last night’s UEFA Cup match at Atletico Madrid.

In a statement issued by the Barclays Premier League club on Friday morning, it is claimed supporters were subjected to “a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game” at Vicente Calderon, which ended in a goalless draw that sent the Trotters through to the last 16.

The alleged behaviour of the police has prompted the club to take action, and they will liaise with Greater Manchester Police and the British Embassy in a bid to establish the precise course of events.

But the Bolton fans had the last laugh. Bolton eked out a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the game and went through to the last sixteen on aggregate. They face Sporting in the next round.