THE Arsenal supporters who were arrested in the Ugandan city of Jinja after celebrating the club’s win against Manchester United in the English Premier League have been released.
The Gunners defeated their rivals 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to enhance their chances of a first Premier League title since 2004, and the Ugandan fans got on the wrong side of the law while celebrating.
They were wearing the club’s jersey and carrying a symbolic trophy during their arrest in the Eastern Region city on Monday.
Police said the fans did not have a permit to hold the procession, which is a public order offence.
The fans were all taken into custody after a police vehicle blocked their car as they were driving around the city holding aloft a mock trophy.
But yesterday a joint security team agreed to release them with a warning and no charges, James Mubi, the regional police spokesman told reporters.
One of the fans told journalists that they would “seek for permission [to celebrate] if Arsenal win the Premier League”.
“We shall have the celebrations in Bugembe Stadium,” the self-proclaimed ambassador of Arsenal in Uganda added.
Baker Kasule, one of the arrested people, had defended the fans’ action in an interview with The Monitor upon their arrest, insisting they meant no harm.
“I don’t know what we have done but we were simply celebrating our victory over rivals Manchester United,” Kasule said.
