By ADAM TROXTELL
Violence broke out on Thursday between fans of Feyenoord and Rome police ahead of the Dutch club’s Europa League clash against AS Roma.
It was the second day of trouble between Dutch fans and authorities after 33 were reportedly arrested for similar incidents on Wednesday. Thursday’s clashes occurred near the Spanish Steps and resulted in dozens more arrests.
Smoke bombs and bottles were thrown at riot police attempting to control the situation, and some fans suffered injuries during the violence. Ignazio Marino, the mayor of Rome, tweeted that the city was “devastated” by the actions of fans and that a 17th-century fountain had suffered damage as a result.
Rome is notorious for incidents of violence between fans and police, sometimes involving hardcore sections of Roma or Lazio supporters. There were no reports suggesting Roma fans were involved in the latest clashes.
Here are some more news and notes from Thursday:
LALLANA REGRETS SOUTHAMPTON EXIT
Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana will come face-to-face with former teammates, employers and fans when the Reds travel to Southampton on Sunday in the English Premier League.
It is the first time he will return to the club that brought him up, and Lallana admitted he will probably not get the warmest of welcomes. Looking back, however, he does regret the manner in which he left Southampton last summer.
“I’m not stupid enough to think the way I left didn’t leave a sour taste in people’s mouths,” Lallana told BBC Radio Solent. “I regret the way I left. I regret bits and pieces of how it happened, and it got nasty.”
Southampton sits four points ahead of the Reds in the fourth and final UEFA Champions League spot.
CHELSEA SUSPENDS THREE FANS
After reports of racist actions from fans in Paris, Chelsea has taken action by suspending three individuals it suspects were directly involved.
The Blues took action after a video emerged of supporters preventing a black man from boarding a Paris Metro train. Fans were also reportedly heard chanting about being racist and proud on their way to watch Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Chelsea immediately condemned the actions and began investigating the matter. Lifetime bans are possible for the fans if the club determines they were directly involved.
REUS IGNORED VAN GAAL’S PHONE CALLS
Marco Reus reportedly used a simple tactic to remain at Borussia Dortmund.
German newspaper Bild claims the attacking midfielder simply ignored phone calls from top European clubs and managers trying to pry away the German international. One of those snubbed was Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal.
The paper also claims Paris Saint-Germain sent a private jet to try and coax Reus into talks. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were also after his signature.
Reus has signed a new four-year deal at Dortmund as the club attempts to pull away from the Bundesliga relegation zone.
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