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Liverpool investigating claims of mistreatment by police at Sevilla

David Ramos / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Supporters witnessed a collapse for the ages as Liverpool surrendered a three-goal lead at Sevilla in the Champions League, but some were unable to watch the cave-in, as they were allegedly assaulted by police and denied entry to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Liverpool issued a statement on Wednesday:

"Following detailed and troubling accounts given by Liverpool supporters attending the match against Sevilla last night, the club is seeking to establish the facts regarding their treatment at the hands of the host stewards and local police force," it read. "The safety and security of our supporters is our paramount concern and we intend to gather all the relevant information before responding further."

As written by the Guardian, the match kicked off with a half-empty away section owing to delay, with supporters being turned away or let in and being told to sit in a different seat than the one on their ticket.

Jay MacKenna, the chairman of Spirit of Shankly - the first football supporters' union in the United Kingdom - told the Liverpool Echo: "Supporters have been thrown out, refused entry, assaulted and treated very poorly by the stewards and police in Seville tonight." He said he was in contact with Phil Rowan and Anna Burgess, two committee members.

Anna was allegedly on her way to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan with a supporter named Sam Armstrong and a flag reading "DEFIANCE," and the two were denied entry before Phil was thrown over a fence.

"Anna and Sam were not allowed into the ground by police because apparently the flag they were carrying was too political," Phil said. "They threw the flag at her and punched her. I was stood at the turnstile and saw it all happen so they told me to go into the ground and when I said I was waiting on Anna and Sam they threw me over a fence.

"We sent a picture of the flag to LFC before the match to have it approved, as we always do. We have taken it to 31 grounds in Europe and never had a problem before." He added: "I have never been treated so disgracefully at a match in my life."

Liverpool surrendered a three-goal lead in the second half, as Sevilla produced an equaliser in the 93rd minute. Both clubs must wait for the group stage's final matchday to qualify for the knockout phase.

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