Swedish anti-Israel protest turns violent

Anti-Israel protesters have clashed with police outside a Davis cup match played in Malmo in southern Sweden.

The game between Sweden and Israel is being played without an audience because the police could not guarantee the security of the players.

About 100 masked protesters tried to storm the arena in Malmo on Saturday afternoon, throwing rocks and firecrackers at the police who had put up barricades outside the stadium. 

Hundreds of police pushed the crowd back using truncheons. At least five people were detained, according to Lars-Hakan Lindholm, a police spokesman.

No injuries were reported.

About 7,000 people gathered at a square in the centre of the city for a peaceful protest, with speakers condemning Israel's offensive in Gaza and urging support for the Palestinians.

As they marched towards the arena, they were joined by the masked demonstrators who attacked police with eggs, rocks and firecrackers.

Tight security

About 1,000 police were deployed in Malmo to keep the protesters from entering the arena. Special riot vehicles had been brought in from Denmark.

Henrik Kallen from the Swedish Tennis Federation spoke to Al Jazeera from inside the arena. He said the match had not been disturbed.