THE DIRECTORS of Bolton Wanderers Football Club are upset and disturbed at the apparent overzealous and disproportionate actions of the Spanish Police towards our supporters during Thursday night´s UEFA Cup return-leg at Atletico Madrid.
The Club´s fans were subjected to a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game, in addition to the aggressive use of police horses to manoeuvre fans towards the Vicente Calderon stadium.
Bolton Wanderers supporters have an impeccable reputation and an excellent record of good behaviour when travelling abroad to European matches, and the Club believes the actions of the Madrid police are entirely unacceptable.
Chairman of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, Phil Gartside, said:
"I have great sympathy for any of our supporters who have been injured by what is clearly an overreaction by the Spanish police.
"Our fans gave us magnificent support on the night and this has taken the shine off what has been a momentous evening in the Club´s history.
"Bolton Wanderers Football Club will be pursuing the matter at the highest level and seeking an explanation from the Spanish authorities.
"We will also be conducting our own internal investigation and information gathering process."