The fight occurred outside a bar in Wigan
Police have arrested 11 people after a brawl broke out between rival supporters of Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
The fight occurred outside a bar in Wigan prior to the League One fixture between the two teams, with video footage shared on social media appearing to show several people throwing punches and one man falling to the ground.
A woman is also being held back by people amid the chaos, but also appears to throw a number of punches of her own.
https://twitter.com/CrimeLdn/status/1510992019728084996
Wigan and Bolton – separated by just 11 miles – have a fierce rivalry and both competed in the Premier League in recent years.
An official from Greater Manchester Police said on Monday: “Officers were deployed as part of the proactive operation surrounding the Wigan vs. Bolton game. The operation resulted in 11 arrests.”
‘They should concentrate on their own club’ – Evatt
A day before the game, Bolton manager Ian Evatt urged Wigan fans to focus on their own team. “Some of the things I say are provocative. I know that I am provocative, there is no denying that,” he said.
“But some of the things I say are for the benefit of my fans, my club and my players.
“It is not for them (Wigan fans) to read and want to listen to, I have no interest in them listening or reading what I have to say.
“They should concentrate on their own club like we concentrate on ours.”
Competing in League One
Despite Wigan winning the FA Cup in 2013, and Bolton enjoying a number of seasons in England’s top flight, both clubs are now competing in League One, with Wigan currently in second position and Bolton 11th.
On the field, the game finished 1-1 on Saturday afternoon, with James McLean scoring after just seven minutes and Jon Daoi Boovarsson responding with an 83rd minute equaliser.
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