Fans of Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano clashed in Leipzig ahead of their Conference League final, leaving two police officers injured and two people arrested. German police reported that on Tuesday evening, a group of about 300 Rayo fans threw bottles, beer glasses, and restaurant furniture at Palace supporters sitting outside restaurants.

Police also intervened in a separate incident where around 60 Palace fans allegedly provoked Spanish supporters. Leipzig police said the two officers sustained minor injuries but remained fit for duty. More than 300 people had their identities checked, according to police on Wednesday.

The Saxon State Police statement read: "At approximately 20:00, around 300 Rayo Vallecano fans, considered to be at high risk of hooliganism, gathered in the city centre. Fans of Rayo Vallecano and Crystal Palace attacked each other verbally and physically. Emergency services separated the fan camps but were attacked, mainly by throwing objects."

Both teams are playing in their first European final. For Crystal Palace, it is the last game for coach Oliver Glasner before he leaves at the end of the season. A win for Palace would keep English clubs on track for a potential sweep of all three major European men's club competitions, following Aston Villa's Europa League victory and Arsenal's upcoming Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Source: www.aljazeera.com