Arrests at English, Welsh matches fall 10 percent

LONDON (AP) -The number of arrests by police at all domestic and international football matches in England and Wales fell 10 percent last season. The British government said Monday that a total of 3,391 fans were detained, down from 3,752 for the 2008-09 season, at an average of one arrest per match. Fans of Premier League clubs accounted for 1,125 arrests. Manchester United's biggest stadium and crowd meant it again led the list, although its 165 arrests were down from last season's 185. West Ham was next with 145 arrests. Fulham again had the topflight low, with seven. Assistant chief constable Andy Holt says Britain "has made steady progress in eradicating the behavior of those intent on football-related violence and disorder.'' Fifty-three percent of arrests were for disorder and about a third for alcohol-related offenses. Ticket scalping, property damage and running onto the field were also reasons. There were no arrests at 70 percent of games in England and Wales.

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