
This is the sickening moment when violence flared before Manchester City's Champions League clash with Sevilla.

The shocking footage, taken from a vantage point above Sinclair's Oyster Bar in Manchester city centre, shows groups of men bombard each other with chairs and various other objects amid disturbing scenes.

Police confirmed that they were called to the scene shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.

A chair flies through the air as hooligans clash outside Sinclair's Oyster Bar in the centre of Manchester on Wednesday afternoon

Thugs bombarded each other with chairs and various other objects as groups of men clashed in Manchester city centre

Manchester police confirmed that four people had been arrested, and one person was treated for head injuries at the scene

3 x Polish Football fans arrested for a violent disorder following the incident at Shambles Square earlier this evening. — GMP Manchester City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) October 21, 2015

***Update from arrests earlier**** a 4th male was arrested after being found hiding in a restaurant near where the other 3 were detained. — GMP Manchester City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) October 21, 2015

There was a large police presence outside the Etihad ahead of Manchester City's Champions League clash with Sevilla

A policeman is pictured sat on a motorbike outside Manchester City's Etihad Stadium ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night

They arrested three men on suspicion of violent disorder, while one man was treated at the scene for a head injury. Another man was arrested later after being found hiding in a restaurant.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that all three of them were Polish football fans, rather than supporters of either Manchester City or Sevilla, while the man treated for a head injury was Spanish. He declined to speak to police.

It is understood that in all around 20 to 25 people were involved in the clashes.

It is understood that police are investigating whether the clashes are linked to a feud between fans of Polish club Slask Wroclaw and sections of Sevilla's support which is reported to date back to a 2013 Europa League match.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the trouble was not related to the match at the Etihad Stadium.

He said: 'Three men have been arrested following a fight on Exchange Square.

'Shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday 21 October 2015, police received a report of a fight on Exchange Square involving a group of football fans.

'Officers quickly attended the scene and the group dispersed. Three men were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. They have been taken into police custody.

'A man was treated at the scene by paramedics for a head injury. 'Police officers remain on patrol in the city centre this evening.'

There are also claims in the Spanish press that Slask Wroclaw supporters travelled to Cardiff for the 2014 European Super Cup played between Sevilla and Real Madrid to attack Sevilla supporters.

Earlier in the day Sevilla fans had been spotted drinking peacefully in the city centre, and singing songs while locals looked on.

But when rival groups of supporters encountered each other the atmosphere turned nasty, with violence breaking out and a running battle taking place throughout the street.

A video taken from above the scene shows hooligans throwing chairs, tables and even a metal barrier as the violence escalated

The police were called to the incident at 3.30pm on Wednesday afternoon, as broken chairs and other objects littered the streets

The violence comes before City are due to meet Sevilla in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday night, in a crucial Group D clash.