LAHTI, Finland: Lahti football arrests reached 48 after police broke up a city-centre brawl believed to involve supporters before FC Lahti beat HJK Helsinki 2-0.
The clash broke out shortly after midday on July 11 in the southern Finnish city, according to Yle. Witnesses at a local bar said some young men arrived in balaclavas. They said rival groups threw smoke bombs and chairs taken from outdoor terraces.
The brawl damaged property in the area. A bar window was smashed, and glass also broke on an apartment balcony overlooking the square.
Police detained 48 people after intervening. Most were Finnish nationals, while those arrested also included one citizen each from Poland, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein.
Police preliminarily linked the violence to supporters of FC Lahti and HJK Helsinki, who were scheduled to play later that day at Lahti Stadium.
The Veikkausliiga match went ahead, with FC Lahti defeating HJK Helsinki 2-0. Otso Koskinen scored in the 43rd minute, and Neemias Barbosa added the second goal in the 74th minute.
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HJK later sent on Teemu Pukki and Alexander Ring in the second half, but Lahti held the clean sheet, according to match data.
Law enforcement officials said they would keep monitoring Lahti after the match to prevent further trouble.
