IRON MAIDEN Manager Says Reports Of Bogota Riots Are 'Wildly Exaggerated'

March 9, 2009

IRON MAIDEN manager Rod Smallwood has dismissed as "wildly exaggerated" media reports of "riots" following the band's March 7 concert in Bogota, Colombia.

The Latin American Herald Tribune reported that police in Bogota arrested 111 people during a riot sparked by crowds trying to get into the MAIDEN concert without tickets.

The newspaper, quoting from a police report, said 37 men and three women who remain in custody will have to "assume the costs of the stoplights and traffic signs that they damaged without just cause."

Police said one policeman was injured in the face during the riot and had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his face.

After the clashes, local authorities said they would debate whether Bogota should host another heavy metal concert in the future.

"Everyone is just fine," Smallwood said in a statement posted on the band's web site. "The 'riots' were basically a lot of kids trying to break into the Simon Bolivar Park to see the show and the park has a big perimeter to protect. There is a large military presence for all concerts in Bogota, as can be seen in our forthcoming movie 'Flight 666'. However, in the last 13 months, we have played two fantastic concerts there to over 75,000 passionate fans at this same venue, Simon Bolivar Park. Neither performance was at all affected by the incidents of people outside trying to break in. None of the enjoyment of the show or safety of the band or our audiences was at all compromised.

"We abhor the inane behaviour of a small minority of people outside. They do IRON MAIDEN, metal and the real Colombian fans a disservice and sadly just provide a reason for the military to feel they need to be there. Our fans are there for the MUSIC.

"We definitely intend to return to Colombia and trust the authorities will not be swayed to banning MAIDEN and metal because of a minority of trouble makers spoiling it for the huge majority of true IRON MAIDEN fans."

Sky News (United Kingdom) footage of the IRON MAIDEN concert riot in Bogota:

Colombian TV report on the IRON MAIDEN concert riot in Bogota:

Indonesian TV report on the IRON MAIDEN concert riot in Bogota:

Dutch TV report on the IRON MAIDEN concert riot in Bogota:

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