England and Serbia kick off their Euro 2024 campaigns on Sunday night in Gelsenkirchen, but the match has already been marred by violence. Fans from both nations clashed on the streets, necessitating intervention from riot police.
Fan violence ahead of England vs Serbia clash
A man from Birmingham sustained severe head injuries during a violent clash before England’s match against Serbia. He was seen receiving medical treatment, including heavy bandaging to his head. Additionally, a plainclothes police officer was treated for a head injury.
A group of unidentified hooligans, spotted by British police “spotters,” rushed toward a bar where around 30 Serbian fans were drinking, five hours before kickoff. Although German riot police arrived shortly after the attack, they were unable to prevent the initial violence. Approximately 200 officers secured the bar, while smaller riot police squads searched for the attackers. No arrests have been made yet.
England vs Serbia deemed ‘high-risk’ by UEFA
Over 30,000 England fans, with only 20,000 holding tickets, have reached on Gelsenkirchen for the high-risk match. Authorities warned that up to 500 Serbian hooligans might attempt to incite violence. The largest British police deployment since 2016 will be on hand to help maintain order. These so-called police spotters will aim to address antisocial behaviour and drink-fueled violence by engaging with fans before situations escalate. Fans will be permitted to drink only low-alcohol beer outside the stadium, and alcohol consumption will be banned in the stands.
Serbian supporters have also been involved in altercations with Albanian fans ahead of their match with England. There are conflicting reports about English fans’ involvement in these scuffles. Authorities had already been concerned about potential clashes, as fans from these nations have a history of violence at past tournaments.
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