A BURNLEY soccer fan, whose pal was arrested for affray after Saturday's FA Cup tie at Derby, is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Shaun Bell, of Lower Clough Street, Barrowford, said he had been told there had complaints about police action at previous games and he urged anyone who saw the incident in front of stairway 60 to write to Derby's safety officer.

He said: "While at the ground my friend was told that he'd been arrested for throwing an empty plastic beer glass in the air, yet when he got to the police station the police said he had thrown a burger at another constable.

"The fact is, there were hundreds throwing in the air. This wasn't causing any trouble, just friendly banter among Burnley fans and only Burnley fans."

Mr Bell said he talked to other stewards who were surprised there had been any arrests. He also blamed police for causing the confrontation.

He said: "The stewards themselves have made numerous complaints about the policing and I am asking any Burnley fans over the incident in front of stairway 60 to write to Chris Parsons, Safety Officer, Derby County Football Club, Pride Park, Derby."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.