Iron Maiden speak out over riot

Iron Maiden are currently in the middle of a South American tour

Heavy metal group Iron Maiden's tour manager has criticised the people who were arrested for trying to gatecrash a concert in Bogota.

Colombian police arrested more than 100 people after stones were thrown hours before the group were due to perform.

In a statement posted on the band's website, Rod Smallwood said: "We abhor the inane behaviour of a small minority of people outside."

He added that the group planned to return to Colombia in the future.

'Wildly exaggerated'

Mr Smallwood said the people involved 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".

Local authorities plan to discuss whether they would allow anymore heavy metal concerts to take place in the future.

Riot police fired tear gas canisters at those who tried to enter the concert without tickets.

None of the enjoyment of the show or safety of the band or our audiences was at all compromised Rod Smallwood, tour manager

However, Mr Smallwood, who confirmed the band are now in Quito for their next show, said the news about the incident had had been "wildly exaggerated".

"Everyone is just fine. 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."

He said in the last 13 months the group had played two concerts in Bogota.

"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."