A disruptive Aston Villa fan was escorted off a packed EasyJet flight by Spanish police after allegedly drinking beer and shouting football chants, causing significant delays. The incident occurred on Sunday on a service from Lanzarote's Arrecife Airport to Bristol.
Chaotic Scenes at Check-In and On Board
According to eyewitness accounts, the man, who was wearing an Aston Villa shirt, began causing trouble before the plane even took off. Passengers reported seeing him drinking cans of Stella Artois and chanting about Birmingham during the check-in process at the airport.
The behaviour continued once passengers had boarded the aircraft. Fellow travellers stated they could hear him chanting about wanting to return to Birmingham, which prompted cabin crew to make telephone calls, presumably to alert authorities on the ground.
Confrontation with Police and Removal
The situation escalated when five officers from Spain's Guardia Civil boarded the aircraft. A video recorded onboard captured the ensuing confrontation. The unnamed fan was seen arguing with both the police and EasyJet cabin crew before standing up and shouting expletives at airline staff.
He could be heard yelling 'What's the problem?' as the altercation continued. Despite his protests, the Spanish police officers proceeded to drag him from the plane, with the man swearing throughout the removal process.
Mixed Reactions from Passengers
The removal prompted a mixed response from other tourists on the flight. As the fan was being led away, one fellow traveller shouted 'Up the Villa!' – a common chant among Aston Villa supporters. However, another passenger retorted by yelling 'Villa are s**t', which caused a wave of laughter to break out among those onboard.
The incident resulted in the flight being delayed by approximately one hour. The time was needed for officials to locate and remove the man's luggage from the aircraft's hold. His wife also subsequently decided to leave the flight.
Aftermath and Airline Response
The witness who described the events emphasised the disruption caused, noting the considerable wait passengers endured. EasyJet has been approached for an official comment regarding the behaviour of the passenger and the procedures followed.
This event highlights the ongoing challenges airlines face with disruptive passenger behaviour, particularly on routes popular with holidaymakers and football fans. Such incidents can lead to substantial delays and inconvenience for all travellers involved.
