Inside Bilbao: Police Storm Rangers Fans Upon Arrival as Tensions Flare Ahead of Europa League Clash
Bilbao, Spain – The streets of Bilbao turned into a battleground on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as Basque police clashed with Rangers FC supporters arriving for their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao. With an estimated 5,000 Rangers fans descending on the Basque city—many without tickets—authorities launched an aggressive security operation, storming groups of supporters in a bid to maintain order. The heavy-handed response, coupled with the cancellation of all police leave, has set the stage for a volatile atmosphere ahead of Thursday’s high-stakes match at San Mamés Stadium.
A City Braced for Chaos
The influx of Rangers fans, the largest ever to visit Bilbao for a football match, has put the city’s security forces on edge. Only 2,600 supporters secured official tickets for the game, leaving thousands of ticketless fans expected to gather in bars, public squares, and outside the stadium. The situation is compounded by the simultaneous arrival of around 2,000 Greek fans for the FIBA Europe Cup basketball final between Bilbao Basket and PAOK Thessaloniki, scheduled the day before the football clash. This convergence of sporting events has stretched Bilbao’s resources to the limit, prompting an unprecedented response from the Ertzaintza (Basque police) and municipal forces.
Tensions were already high following violent incidents during Athletic Bilbao’s previous Europa League match against Roma, where fans vandalized bars, set bins ablaze, and attacked police and medical staff. Bilbao’s Mayor, Juan Mari Aburto, vowed a zero-tolerance approach, stating, “We cannot accept attacks against police forces as normal. The police will do what they have to do.” The memory of those clashes, combined with intelligence from Scottish police about the scale of Rangers’ traveling support, led to the cancellation of all police leave, ensuring every officer is on duty to manage the situation.
Clashes Upon Arrival
As Rangers fans began arriving in Bilbao on Tuesday, reports emerged of police storming groups of supporters in the city center. According to eyewitness accounts shared on X, Basque police, including riot units, moved swiftly to disperse gatherings near key landmarks like the Guggenheim Museum, where fans were instructed to assemble before being escorted to the stadium. Videos circulating online showed officers in full riot gear confronting fans, with some reports suggesting batons were used to break up crowds. While no official statement from the Ertzaintza has confirmed injuries or arrests, the aggressive tactics have sparked outrage among Rangers supporters, with one fan posting, “All seems a bit harsh, especially when you consider the agreeable, friendly reputation of our saintly fans over the years.”
The police operation appears to be a preemptive strike, driven by fears of a repeat of the Roma-related violence. Bingen Zupiria, the Basque government’s security minister, warned, “The Ertzaintza will do everything necessary to prevent vandalism.” Sources indicate that police are particularly concerned about ticketless fans congregating in areas like the Old Town or near a nightclub in nearby Erandio, which is selling €25 tickets to Rangers supporters for a match-day event running from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. This venue, just 15 minutes from San Mamés, could become a flashpoint if not closely monitored.
A Dress Rehearsal for the Europa League Final
Bilbao’s security measures are not just about Thursday’s match—they’re a test run for the Europa League final, which the city will host next month. Authorities are using the Rangers and PAOK visits to fine-tune their plans, with a security cordon already established around San Mamés and additional controls in place across the city. Rangers fans will be marched from the Guggenheim Museum to the stadium three hours before kick-off and held inside after the game to avoid clashes with Athletic Bilbao supporters, a tactic designed to minimize post-match chaos.
Athletic Bilbao has also urged its own fans to behave, citing a £25,000 UEFA fine for supporter violence during the Roma match, where flares, cans, and bottles were thrown at police. The club issued a statement emphasizing the need for calm, noting that “no incidents occurred inside San Mamés” during the Roma game but acknowledging responsibility for external unrest.
A History of Tension
The clashes in Bilbao echo previous incidents involving Rangers fans abroad. In 2021, Rangers supporters clashed with Danish police in Copenhagen ahead of a match against Brondby, with reports of truncheon use and chaotic crowd control. Similarly, Athletic Bilbao fans have a history of unrest, notably clashing with police before the 2021 Copa del Rey final and during a 2018 Europa League match against Spartak Moscow, which resulted in the death of a Basque police officer. These precedents have heightened fears on both sides, with police determined to avoid another tragedy.
A Match on a Knife’s Edge
On the pitch, Rangers face a daunting task. After securing a goalless draw in the first leg at Ibrox despite playing with ten men for most of the game, Barry Ferguson’s side must now overcome Athletic Bilbao’s formidable home record at San Mamés, where they recently dispatched Rayo Vallecano 3-1. Off the pitch, the stakes are even higher. With Bilbao’s police on high alert and Rangers fans feeling targeted, the potential for further unrest looms large.
As Thursday approaches, Bilbao remains a city on edge, its streets patrolled by a police force ready to act decisively. For the thousands of Rangers fans hoping for a famous European night, the challenge will be navigating not just Athletic Bilbao’s defense but a security operation determined to keep the peace at all costs.
