SHOCKING scenes of violence erupted in Poland just hours before the Conference League final between Chelsea and Real Betis kicked off.

British and Spanish football fans have been seen brawling in the streets, launching bottles and smoke grenades and even being pushed back by police water cannons across the past 36 hours.

Fans clash in ugly scenes in Poland before the Europa Conference Final

Supporters were seen hurling punches, kicking, launching bottles and smoke grenades

Fans hurled flares at each other on the street

The ugly scenes have kicked off mainly near the fanzone in Wroclaw - where the final was held - with riot police forced to defuse the violence.

Just hours before kickoff, the fighting spilled over when fans started kicking and throwing flares into each other's camps.

Soon, chairs were hurtling through the air as the fans squared up to each other before police, some armed with guns, came to separate them.

Cops were even forced to hurl powerful water cannons at Chelsea supporters, according to footage on social media.

The sprays were directed at a large group of fans which quickly pushed them back and dispersed the group.

Chelsea ending up winning the final comfortably after a stellar second half display.

Inspired by their brilliant talisman Cole Palmer, the Blues came from behind to beat Betis 4-1 in Wroclaw.

But off the pitch, fans were brawling on the streets for a full 24 hours before the match.

An estimated 70,000 fans arrived in the city earlier in the week with many drinking and eating in close proximity to rival supporters.

A statement from Lower Silesian Police in Wroclaw said 28 people had been arrested on Wednesday over the violent scenes.

They said: "After 5pm on the Wrocław Market Square, in connection with the previous negative behaviour of fans and the clash of several hundred people from both teams, arrests of fans involved in this incident are ongoing.

"The police quickly took action and restored the violated legal order, and now they continue to act so that others can safely participate in this great celebration of sports.

"At this moment, we can confirm the arrest of 28 participants in the incident.

"No one will escape legal responsibility and the police will react decisively and appropriately to the situation."

Footage posted to social media showed a series of fierce clashes in cobbled streets outside the city's bars and restaurants.

In one clip, a group of around five young men were seen smashing chairs and hurling glasses at another group sheltering in the canopy of a building.

In the window is a large blue flag which reads: "London only", indicating it could be a spot designated for Chelsea fans.

Another clip from elsewhere shows two sides lobbing missiles at one another from the cover of two different pubs.

Similar violence broke out yesterday when tear gas was needed to separate the hostile fans.

One Spaniard was arrested and police are attempting to identify more fans involved in a scuffle last night.

Betis fans are looking forward to their first ever major European final, with tensions boiling over into a full on brawl this afternoon.

Chelsea fans have descended in the Polish city for the European final

Supermarket shelves are running dry of beer and pubs are out of pint glasses as fans soak up the atmosphere ahead of the final.

More than 70,000 fans are expected to descend on the picturesque town of Wroclaw to watch The Blues try to take the title tonight.

Last week's Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur was also marred by clashes between supporters ahead of the match in Bilbao.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: "Zero tolerance for violence on our streets!

"I thank the police for their decisive actions against the hooligans in Chelsea and Betis shirts in Wroclaw. We warn you: if necessary, the police will be even more ruthless today!"

Fans of the London side will be hoping their team isn't distracted by the drama - with the honour of being the first-ever club to win all three European titles on the line.

Chelsea booked their place by defeating Swedish side Djurgardens IF 5-1 on aggregate earlier this month.

Earlier, head coach Enzo Maresca got a shock when his banned winger Mykhailo Mudryk arrived in the city unannounced - and wearing a Chelsea kit.

Mudryk is currently suspended from playing after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium while on international duty in November.

The Blues will be playing Champions League football next season after they secured a top-five finish in the Premier League.

While the Spaniards have already qualified for the Europa League with a 6th placed finish in LaLiga.

This means the two sides are just playing for the right to win a European trophy - and the cash prize that comes with it.

Uefa have revealed that the winners of this year's Conference League will take home a staggering £5.9million.

While the runners-up are set to pocket approximately £3.37m.