Violence broke out among England supporters at the Euro 2024 final held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion and in cities across the UK following their team’s loss to Spain. Emotions ran high as images and footage captured fans clashing inside the German stadium and on the streets in London. The heightened unrest led to numerous arrests and calls for stronger action to curb violent behavior during football events.
The Metropolitan Police in the UK reported six football-related arrests in London, including for alleged assault, homophobic abuse, and drug offenses. In Germany, there were 66 arrests, although the specific timeframe for these incidents was not provided. Among the arrests, four England fans were taken into custody on Sunday night, while others attempted to enter the stadium without valid tickets.
According to a former Manchester City director, fights had already broken out in the stadium during the first half of the match, even before a goal was scored. The distressing scenes were further exacerbated by footage of England fans engaging in disorderly conduct, including kicking and punching each other in London. Social media was inundated with videos depicting unruly behavior in various British cities, prompting widespread concern over the escalating violence associated with the sport.
Chris Bird, a former Manchester City director, voiced his dismay, stating that the disturbing scenes witnessed at the Euro 2024 final underscored the emergence of a darker and more violent faction within the fan base. His concerns highlighted the need for immediate action to address the growing hostility and aggression among some football supporters.
Thousands of England fans had flocked to Berlin for the match, having made considerable financial investments and logistical arrangements to support their team. Similar scenes unfolded in the UK, with pubs, bars, and fan zones teeming with boisterous crowds many hours before kick-off. The large gatherings raised concerns over the potential for further unrest and disorderly conduct.
In light of the confrontations, efforts had been made to prevent potential disorder in Berlin, including restrictions on the sale of low-alcohol pints to England fans during the tournament. The measures, however, proved insufficient in curbing the outbreaks of violence and clashes among supporters.
The clashes at the Euro 2024 final echoed similar incidents at the 2021 final against Italy, which had resulted in chaotic scenes at Wembley Stadium. Hordes of ticketless fans breached the stadium and caused significant disruption, prompting a brief lockdown and heightened security measures.
Authorities had issued stern warnings to England supporters before the match, emphasizing the criminal consequences of attempting to enter the stadium without valid tickets. The UK’s top football police officer had also pledged to implement banning orders for individuals involved in disorderly behavior while following the national team.
While acknowledging that the majority of fans had conducted themselves appropriately, the authorities stressed the need for stricter enforcement and swift intervention in response to incidents of violence and misconduct. Despite the concerted efforts to ensure public safety during the tournament, the challenges posed by disorderly conduct among football supporters continued to persist.
In conclusion, the post-Euro 2024 unrest among England fans in Berlin and the UK has prompted calls for decisive action to address the escalating violence and disorder associated with football events. With the spotlight on the need for improved crowd control and enforcement measures, the authorities are under heightened scrutiny as they seek to safeguard public safety and uphold the integrity of the sport.