A man has been detained upon his return to the UK following fan disorder in Gelsenkirchen ahead of England’s Euro 2024 match against Serbia.
The 39-year-old, from Bolton, was returning from Germany when he was detained by officers at Manchester Airport on Monday evening (June 17) under the Football Spectators Act 1989.
His passport has been retained by police and he will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on June 18 for a Civil Football Banning Order Hearing.
Mick Johnson, Head of the UK Football Policing Unit, said: “This action shows the breadth of the Euro 2024 football policing operation and demonstrates there are consequences for supporters who are intent on causing disorder.
“Any UK football supporter causing disorder in Germany which would be deemed an offence in this country could face police action upon their return. We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, and where appropriate we will seek football banning orders to prevent perpetrators from attending future games both internationally and domestically.”
“German police will also take action against those who break the law, and this can include heavy fines and custodial sentences. We are working closely with our policing colleagues in Germany and have a team of UK officers deployed overseas supporting their operation.
“We want fans who are travelling to Germany to have a good time, but please remember to drink responsibly, respect the local culture and don’t put yourself in danger.”
Ahead of yesterday’s match, in which England won 1-0 thanks to Jude Bellingham, a brawl broke out between the two teams’ respective fans in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
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The match – already billed as high risk by German authorities – has seen numerous warnings issued ahead of kick-off.
Before the fight got underway, riot police intervened outside a restaurant filled with Serbian flags.
Just after 3.30pm local time, revelling fans outside the Aleppo bar on the Euro 2024 host city’s Arminstrasse were hit with projectiles by a rowdy mob outside.
Eyewitness reports from the scene said “everything you can imagine” had been lobbed at the travelling Serbia support – before 200 riot police swarmed to the scene.
Seven Serbia supporters and one England fan were detained after the brawl and missed the match, police spokesman Peter Both said.
One eyewitness said: “Just arrived in the centre of Gelsenkirchen and a large group of hooded face-covered locals attacked a load of Serbian fans outside a bar!
“Hundreds of England fans including kids eating and drinking yards away, totally uninvolved! Lively start to the day!”
A Gelsenkirchen police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that there was a physical altercation between several people in the south of the city of Gelsenkirchen.
“The police are on site with sufficient personnel and have the situation under control. We cannot confirm at this point whether the altercation was football-related or which nationalities were involved.”
Police said they would be contacting UEFA to recommend that the men be barred from forthcoming matches.
