Two arrested after disorder outside London Ballon d'Or ceremony

Two people were arrested following disorder outside the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26. The Metropolitan Police said officers were targeted with bricks and scaffolding clips while clearing crowds, according to BBC Sport. No police officers were injured.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3XXfWIFeUs

Hundreds had assembled near the red carpet hoping to see football's leading players arrive. BBC Sport reported that its journalists witnessed people climbing, damaging and pulling down barriers around the venue. The fencing had been installed to keep people without tickets outside, and security staff removed several individuals who had managed to get through.

A police statement published by LBC said additional officers were sent to Argyll Street in Westminster at 17:13. Officers were already working in the area under an event policing plan, alongside the venue's private security arrangements. Further assistance was requested because of concerns about the crowd's behaviour and the possibility of a breach of the peace.

Police authorised a Section 35 dispersal order at 19:49, lasting until 04:00 on Tuesday, October 27. The force said it covered Oxford Street, Pall Mall, The Strand, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross Road. Under the order, officers could direct people to leave the area, with those refusing at risk of arrest, the police statement explained.

One arrest concerned an alleged breach of that order; the other was for suspected affray and violent disorder. Police also dealt with a small group who had climbed a nearby building. The force said its presence was stood down at about 01:00.

The awards were being staged in London for the first time in their 70-year history. Separately, BBC Sport reported that traffic problems and crowds at the entrance delayed guests, pushing the ceremony's start back by 45 minutes. Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas won the two principal awards during proceedings that lasted nearly two and a half hours. Hosts Kate Scott and Thierry Henry also paused at points as audience members called out players' names.