Euro 2024 violence as fans injured in clashes before England face Serbia
There have been fears of escalating violence between the fans.
Violent clashes between fans erupted ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 game between England and Serbia.
Conflicting reports say fighting began between supporters of Albania and Serbia, and that some English fans were caught up in it.
It was initially reported the attack in the western city of Gelsenkirchen was carried out by fans from England.
But German police at the scene said the brawl was between supporters from Serbia and Albania, according to Sky News.
The exact nationality of those involved in the brawl is still yet to be officially confirmed.
Footage from the scene shows riot police attempting to put a stop to the violence while men continue to hurl chairs, tables and glasses at each other.
No fans were seen wearing England shirts or St George’s Cross flags, but one man, thought to be from Birmingham, suffered a wound to the head.
A man hiding behind a car on the opposite side of the road, who is videoing the clashes, can be heard shouting in English and stoking the fire.
‘It’s the Serbians! Go go go! ‘F****ng hell, they are doing them,’ he yells.
There have been fears of violence escalating as more than 500,000 England fans are expected to descend on Germany throughout the next month.
The incident happened after 3.30pm local time outside Aleppo bar in the centre of Gelsenkirchen.
Eyewitnesses said ‘everything you can imagine’ was hurled at the tens of Serbia supporters.
Footage shared on X shows a crowd throwing multiple chairs and glasses at men sitting outside the bar.
It is understood that as many as 200 riot police were deployed to the scene to break up the clashes.
A young man wearing a chequered pair of shorts and a black T-shirt is drenched in blood.
His face is covered in red from cuts to his head and forehead. It is yet unclear if anyone was seriously injured.
Another video showed a man being arrested, with his hands tied behind his back with cable ties, and then taken to a police van nearby.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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