Russian ultras - many of whom were said to have travelled to stadium without tickets - reportedly came armed with knives and batons ahead of fierce clashes with riot police
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A POLICE OFFICER has died amid violent clashes between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow fans during their Europa League tie.
Some ultras reportedly travelled to the game at San Mames stadium carrying knives and extendable batons but without tickets, according to cops.
The two sets of fans clashed in the streets of the Basque city - aiming fireworks at each other amid scuffles.
It is understood the police officer, who was named locally as 51-year-old dad-of-two Inocencio Arias Garcia from Ermua, started to feel unwell as he left a police van and later died at Basurto Hospital of a heart attack.
One of the colleagues who tried to assist him was his brother, who was like Inocencio a riot-squad officer belonging to the regional Ertzaintza regional police force.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy condemned the violence but praised the police. He tweeted: "My appreciation to Ertzaintza, for their efforts to protect those who know how to enjoy sport."
The late policeman was one of six people taken to hospital, with at least five arrests made so far.
Bilbao paid their respects to the late cop. A tweet said: "Our condolences to colleagues, friend and relatives of the Ertzaina who died in active service."
La Liga president Javier Tebas said: "Ultra violence has claimed the life of a public servant - that's enough.
"La Liga will continue with our policy of combating the ultra phenomenon, until its total eradication."
Spartak ultras were chanting in the town square some two hours before kick-off in the Europa League last-32 clash.
More than 500 cops were deployed for the tie and had to quell unrest from the beginning, with flares covering the city in red smoke.
This prompted a reaction from Bilbao fans and the locals, who were not happy about their turf being taken over.
Video footage captured plenty of the incidents, which can often happen during European clashes.
Athletic Bilbao had won the opening leg 3-1 in Moscow, with Russian side claiming the spoils 2-1 in the return.
