11 arrested over FA Cup tie violence

Police investigating violence which erupted after an FA Cup tie arrested 11 men today in a series of dawn raids.

The suspects, aged between 21 and 55, were arrested at addresses in Birmingham, Solihull and Warwickshire in connection with attacks on two fans in Portsmouth in March.

Officers from West Midlands Police detained the men at about 6am in a coordinated operation which also involved members of Hampshire Police.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police confirmed that the arrests had been made in connection with disorder involving Birmingham City supporters after their 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park on March 6.

Two men, aged 48 and 53, were seriously assaulted in separate incidents on Fratton Way shortly after the quarter-final tie, which Birmingham lost 2-0.

All those detained are being questioned on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder, the spokesman added.