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Six PSV Eindhoven fans arrested in Madrid appear before judge

MADRID -- Six PSV Eindhoven fans appeared before a judge Thursday after being arrested for causing public disorder and damage to property.

Police made the arrests late Tuesday as fans damaged cars, burned garbage containers and were involved in fights after their team's shootout loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

A second group of fans is to be investigated for throwing coins for women begging in Madrid's central Plaza Mayor, Madrid's regional prosecutor said Thursday.

The incident was also discussed in Spain's Parliament. Toni Canto, the president of Spain's culture commission, read a statement Thursday saying the actions witnessed and filmed in the square were "racist and xenophobic."

Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he was disgusted by the "repugnant" and "sickening" behavior of fans.

"I honestly think we should proceed judicially against these absolute barbarians," said Rajoy, who leads a caretaker government after an inconclusive Dec. 20 general election.

Spain's Anti-Violence Commission said it had asked police to gather evidence, including security camera footage and videos recorded at the scene, to see if individual fans could be identified. Police said a request for information on possible participants had also been sent to the Netherlands embassy.

Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz described the fans' behavior as "an absolute disgrace."

In a statement on its website, PSV distanced itself from the fans and promised to find and punish those responsible for some "nasty incidents" with beggars in Madrid.

"PSV will do their utmost to track down the people who have caused these incidents and if we identify them, they will be in trouble," the statement said.

Police said all six of the supporters arrested were of Dutch nationality and were also involved in inflicting bodily harm to others and resisting arrest.

Several people had filed formal complaints against fans, police said.