Rioting mars Barca celebrations

RIOTING in Barcelona injured 242 people, including 89 police officers, after celebrations of the Champions League final win on Wednesday night.

Objects were hurled at police by about 100 people of 100,000 that gathered in downtown Barcelona after the 2-0 win against Manchester United, regional authorities said in a statement. It’s the third time Barcelona won Europe’s elite soccer trophy after successes in 2006 and 1992.

“The celebration took place in a festive atmosphere until a group of 100 people confronted a police line,” the statement said. Police intervened at 2am to break up the trouble-makers, the statement added.

Police said they made 119 arrests for public order offences. Six officers were seriously hurt and needed hospital treatment, police said. More people than usual gathered in downtown Barcelona after local media put up outdoor screens to show the final and organised street parties, police said. There were smaller outbreaks of rioting after Barcelona won the Spanish league title and Spanish cup final this month.