England fans clash with police days after FA say ‘don’t be that idiot’
Written by News on 06/06/2019
England football fans have clashed with police in a second night of “completely unacceptable” violence in Porto.
Fans have travelled for a semi-final match on Thursday, when England will play the Netherlands in the Nations League.
Videos on social media showed police holding batons and riot shields chasing supporters as a Portugal versus Switzerland game was screened in a fan zone in Porto.
A witness said fans wearing England shirts and chanting England songs threw drinks and bottles when Portugal scored.
In the footage, objects can be seen flying through the air in the direction of police who then charge at the fans.
The Guardian’s sports reporter Sean Ingle said fans were chanting 10 German bombers.
Will Burns, from Wimbledon, said: “Lots of Portuguese families watching the game in the fan zone, Portugal scored and then England fans started throwing drinks followed by bottles.
“Only one policeman was there. Then all the Portuguese families started running away, carrying their crying children. While England fans sang ‘England ’til I die’.
“Embarrassing to be English.”
An England fan, who did not want to be named, said: “When I arrived at the square I saw England fans throwing bottles at the police, they responded by charging at the fans.
“A couple of bystanders were injured, including an old man who had a heavy cut to his forehead
“Police responded aggressively, but they were definitely reacting to being targeted by projectiles.”
It comes after senior footballers including Harry Maguire warned fans to behave themselves abroad, releasing its “Don’t Be That Idiot” campaign.
Maguire had told fans to have a good time and added: “There needs to be boundaries and I’m sure they will stick to them”.
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council football policing lead, said: “Earlier this evening Portuguese police deployed riot officers against a group of England fans in the main square area of Porto.
“It is believed the fans had been throwing bottles at Portugal fans who were watching the match in the same area.
“This is the second evening in a row where disorder has occurred in Porto. Last night there were issues outside a bar, where bottles were thrown and minor damage was caused. It is completely unacceptable.
“The behaviour we are witnessing is incredibly disappointing and again I would point fans towards the recent video from the FA – ‘Don’t be that idiot’.
“The behaviour of a small number of the England fans out here continues to tarnish the reputation of the genuine fans who are simply trying to enjoy the football.”
(c) Sky News 2019: England fans clash with police days after FA say ‘don’t be that idiot’
