A COUPLE were forced to flee from a stadium with their two children after violence flared during a soccer match in Spain. Chris Dormer, 34, his wife Chris, 42, and sons Charlie, 12, and Hayden, 11, fled to the safety of their hotel during the Seville v Sp

A COUPLE were forced to flee from a stadium with their two children after violence flared during a soccer match in Spain.

Chris Dormer, 34, his wife Chris, 42, and sons Charlie, 12, and Hayden, 11, fled to the safety of their hotel during the Seville v Spurs Uefa Cup quarter-final first leg last Thursday night.

The family flew back to their home in Kingfisher Road, Shefford, yesterday (Wednesday) morning still shaken by their ordeal.

"We had to get out of the stadium after the interval because it was just unsafe for the children to be there," said Mrs Dormer.

"The violence was instigated a lot by the police. The police started it and the Spurs fans just retaliated.

"The barrier had broken near us and the police were hitting the fans with their batons.

We were also worried about being crushed because a fan up above us had fallen and the fans were going down like skittles.

"At half time one of the boys wanted to go to the toilet but he and my husband couldn't get there. The children were very frightened and we were helped from the ground by Spurs security staff. They were marvellous.

"The whole trip cost over £1,000 and turned into a nightmare."

Husband Chris, an engineer with Rail Track, who is a season ticket holder at Spurs and has travelled throughout Europe watching the club, said: "It was a frightening and unpleasant experience.

"The children began to feel very uncomfortable with the violence breaking out around them. At half time it was a toss up whether to stay or put our safety first, so I decided to get us out of the stadium.

"From what I saw the trouble was caused by heavy-handed policing. There was never a catalyst that caused the trouble.

"I didn't see a single fight between a Spurs and Seville fan all night. It was the police causing the problems."

Back at their hotel the family had the joy of being with their heroes as the Spurs team was also staying there.

"We have a few good memories from the trip with the players giving the boys some signed shirts," added Mr Dormer.