Peru player arrested for allegedly hitting Spanish police officer in ugly clash
Spanish police clashed with Peru players at the squad's hotel in Madrid on Monday after fans gathered outside to greet the team - with one player reportedly arrested for allegedly hitting an officer in the eye.
The South Americans are due to take on Morocco at Atletico Madrid 's Civitas Metropolitano stadium on Tuesday, and were staying in the Spanish capital ahead of the game. However, it has been alleged by Peru's football association that "beatings and shovings" took place.
Players and fans were gathered outside the team hotel when incidents took place, with images and videos circulating on social media. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese also spoke to Peruvian TV after the incident, which is understood to have happened the day before the friendly match.
A spokesman for Spain’s National Police confirmed a Peru player had been arrested for allegedly hitting an officer in the eye. The spokesman said he could not confirm local reports the arrested man was 33-year-old goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, said to have been released after being taken to a nearby station for questioning. The incidents happened outside the NH Collection Eurobuilding.
He added: “Around 300 fans started gathering outside from about 7pm onwards. Some began to let off flares and officers from a rapid response unit called the UIP were called in as back-up.
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“Just before 10pm local time the players arrived. The fans tried to reach the players and the police got in the middle between the players and the fans to avoid an avalanche of people endangering public safety.
“A player was arrested for hitting an officer in the eye. He was taken to a nearby police station and the officer received medical attention at the scene.”
Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has spoken after the incident (Getty Images)Videos seen on Twitter show a group of fans singing and waving flags, while players are gathered outside their hotel. One of the Peru players appears to be pushed back by an officer, after which the clashes between players and authorities escalate.
"We wanted to greet the people and [the police] started hitting us," Pedro Gallese told Peruvian TV, as reported by ESPN, while broadcasts in the South American country claim the situation was brought under control within a few minutes. The 33-year-old, who was part of his country's squad at the 2018 World Cup, plays his club football in the United States with Orlando City.
"The Peruvian FA regrets the events that occurred in Madrid, where the traditional flag-waving of the fans in support of La Bicolor (Peru national team) took place and which ended in beatings and shovings by the Spanish police against several of the team and the fans," a statement from Peru's FA reads. "The Peruvian FA is totally supportive of our player Pedro Gallese , whom we have accompanied and supported since the incident occurred outside the team hotel ahead of the game against Morocco.
"We reiterate that we are respectful to the authorities and procedures of each country we visit," the statement continues. "For this reason, we are at the full disposal of internal and external control organisations to help clarify what happened."
A number of statements have been put out following events in Madrid (@Football__Tweet / Twitter)The Peruvian ministry of foreign affairs has also put out a statement. "We will request the immediate clarification of the facts from the authorities concerned," it begins. "The General Consulate of Peru in Madrid and our Embassy in Spain are assisting the members of the Peruvian soccer team after the incident that occurred prior to the match that will played against Morocco.
"The General Consulate of Peru in Madrid accompanied our national team player Pedro Gallese to the police station and was alongside him at all times as he gave statements. We will help to manage and ensure the integrity of all the players of the team."
It was not immediately clear, as of Tuesday morning, whether the matter would go any further. One local report said the problems had started after a police officer tried to push back footballer Yoshimar Yotun, who plays for Peruvian first division club Sporting Cristal, after confusing him for a supporter.
Police refuted reports saying several people had been detained, saying only one arrest had been made. The friendly against Morocco is one of two for Peru during this international break, following a 2-0 defeat away to Germany. Their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup will begin in September.
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