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Russian fans clash with baton-wielding police at stadium

2019/2020 Russian Premier League: Spartak Moscow 1 - 0 FC Sochi

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 13, 2019: Spartak Moscow supporters wave flags during a 2019/2020 Russian Premier League Round 1 football match between Spartak Moscow and FC Sochi at Otkritie Arena; Spartak Moscow won 1-0. Mikhail Japaridze/TASS (Photo by Mikhail JaparidzeTASS via Getty Images)

Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

MOSCOW (AP) Russian soccer fans have criticized what they consider heavy-handed policing after clashes at a league game.

Video footage posted online shows police in riot gear beating Spartak Moscow fans on the stadium concourse after a game Saturday with FC Rostov, including two who have fallen to the ground. Fans have alleged they were kept tightly packed in the corridor after the game and then attacked by police with batons.

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The Russian Football Union has told the Sport-Express newspaper that it is calling for an investigation and that “this kind of situation should not be repeated at stadiums.”

The Russian Premier League says in a statement that it is satisfied police acted correctly and accused Spartak fans of trying to free fellow supporters arrested earlier over allegations of throwing pyrotechnics.

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