Bloodied fans and flying bottles: 12 arrested as Boro and Leeds fans involved in violent clashes - Teesside Live
Ugly scenes erupted between rival fans after Boro took on Leeds when a last-gasp equaliser brought passions to boiling point.
Skirmishes broke out in the town centre and on some of the routes around the ground as supporters clashed following the final whistle.
Police on horseback, carrying batons and accompanied by dogs were forced to chase pockets of fans as violent scenes unfolded.
Police have now confirmed that 12 people were arrested over the disorder.
Match commander Chief Superintendent John Lyons issued a statement following the violence.
He said: "There are always a minority of people who attend matches intent on causing disorder and we have seen some of those tensions today, prompted by a late equaliser, which resulted in 12 males arrested.
"It was disappointing to see some of the behaviour being displayed by a minority of the younger people who attended, which was unacceptable and we will look to progress criminal proceedings where possible.
"I would like to thank those officers on the ground, colleagues from British Transport Police. Northumbria Police, Durham Police, Middlesbrough FC and their stewards, National Police Air Service and the law-abiding majority of fans.
"Thanks also to members of the public in the town centre for their patience as pockets of disorder were dealt with. Within an hour of the game ending, the area had quietened down and most Leeds fans had dispersed."
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The most serious disturbance took place near Spensleys Emporium on Albert Road near the town centre around 3.30pm where dozens of police officers intervened as a mass brawl flared up and bottles were thrown.
Tensions had first risen at the end of the ground where more than 4,000 Leeds fans were streaming out, jubilant after a very late equaliser saw the match finish 1-1.
Their buoyant mood turned to goading from some, which sparked a backlash from Boro fans as a tight bottleneck of moving supporters formed.
A number of people were spoken to by police(Image: Katie Lunn/Teesside Live)
Watching officers had to step in on several occasions as supporters exchanged verbal blows, which turned physical further towards town.
Teesside Live saw one man sporting a badly bloodied nose.
Between the Lord Byron pub and 'Hit the Bar' police armed with batons chased a gang of men from down an alley after a fight broke out.
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Some supporters expressed their frustrations to police, questioning why the away contingent had been allowed to leave the ground at the same time as the home fans.
Around 40 officers remained in the town centre as the trouble began to gradually die down around 4.30pm.
Officers were also seen patrolling on Linthorpe Road after the match.
Police had to intervene after a number of clashes(Image: Katie Lunn/Teesside Live)
Cleveland Police tweeted after the match: "Thank you to members of the public in Middlesbrough town centre for their patience as we deal with pockets of disorder after the match.
"As Leeds fans disperse, officers will remain in the area to maintain a highly visible presence and deal with any further issues that may arise."
