Mass football brawl in Serbia leaves one injured

Besiktas' Demba Ba, left, shoots past Partizan Belgrade's Vladimir Volkov. Serbian fans of Partizan Belgrade recently brawled with fans of rival Red Star. Marko Drobnjakovic/AP

BELGRADE, Serbia — Hundreds of rival soccer fans have clashed in downtown Belgrade, leaving at least one of them in hospital because of his injuries.

Police say they have arrested one person on suspicion of firing a gun during the brawl on Wednesday between supporters of bitter Serbian rivals, Red Star and Partizan Belgrade.

Seven other fans who took part in the clashes were also arrested.

Doctors say the life of the injured Red Star supporter was not in danger. His injuries were not caused by gunshots.

Serbia has a history of soccer-related violence.

Wednesday’s clashes occurred near the Partizan stadium, where a European Championship qualifier earlier this month between Serbia and Albania was abandoned after an Albanian nationalist banner was flown from a drone, sparking fighting among players and fans.

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