Scuffles broke out late last night in West London between dejected Chelsea supporters and riot police. About 100 police officers equipped with riot gear, batons and shields formed a cordon around Fulham Road and charged a group of fans.

The supporters responded by throwing glass bottles and other missiles at officers. They claimed that officers had injured a female bystander when they charged. It was not immediately clear why the trouble started.

A tourist from Spain at the scene said that police had surrounded a group of supporters outside Fulham Broadway Undergound station. The police then formed a 30-strong line across the road before charging 300 metres down the street towards Stamford Bridge. The station was closed during the disturbances as police attempted to disperse fans.

More than 20 police vans were at the scene, which was littered with glass bottles. One supporter, who asked not to be identified said: “The police just went crazy. They pushed a woman and then charged us.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said officers had been called to the scene shortly before 11pm after reports of fighting. Several officers were seen retreating with blood pouring from their faces after receiving blows and at least a dozen Chelsea supporters, male and female, were treated by paramedics on the pavement. Some had blood pouring from gaping head wounds, after what witnesses described as a baton charge by desperate police.

One injured police officer said: “There’s a full-scale riot going on. They’ve really kicked off and we’re doing all we can to hold the line but it’s a very heated situation and we don’t know what’s going to happen.”

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: “It all kicked off soon after the game had finished. The police seemed to be panicking and I saw them charging at the crowd with batons and hitting people to beat them back but they couldn’t control them.

“They’ve dropped back and now they are sealing off the area to try and pen them in, but it’s not doing any good.

“They are like animals. It’s really scary. Someone could get killed.”

Another witness added: “There were around 100 supporters singing and chanting in the road. The police were just watching them. All of a sudden, I don’t know why, a proper riot broke out by the Tube station.

“They were really going for it, the fans and the police, bashing each other. I’ve seen police officers and Chelsea fans with blood pouring from their heads.”

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