England and Serbian football fans have clashed in ugly scenes on the streets of Germany just hours ahead of the Three Lions’ opening Euros 2024 match.
Shocking pictures show supporters covered in blood after violence broke out ahead of England’s first Group C game against Serbia, which kicks off in Gelsenkirchen at 8pm.
German riot police quickly descended on the scene this afternoon as football hooliganism made a shameful return to the Euros, with police sources telling MailOnline at least six people have been arrested.
There was speculation over which supporters were involved in the vicious brawls, with reports initially suggesting the violence was sparked by Serbia’s arch-rivals Albania attacking Serbs.
However, Gelsenkirchen police have now said it was English and Serbian fans who were involved in the fighting.
‘It was an altercation between English and Serbian fans, who were separated by the police,’ a spokesman said. ‘Further measures are underway and the background is currently being clarified.’
Officers moved in after trouble erupted between fans outside a restaurant-bar just after 3.30pm. Video shows a group of thugs – some hooded and masked – launching bottles, chairs and tables – while some supporters were seen fleeing the area for safety as tension boiled over.
One English fan is believed to have suffered a head wound in the fracas, with one other injured.
Earlier, the UK’s dedicated Football Policing Unit released a statement saying a ‘number of arrests’ have been made, but it is believed those detained are Serbian.
Two officers grapple with a fan after chasing attackers through the streets of Gelsenkirchen
An English fan is seen on the ground after being attacked by rivals ahead of the game between Serbia and England
An English fan is seen with blood pouring from his head after being caught up in clashes today
One group of fans was seen throwing chairs at another, although it is unclear who started the violence
German police officers grapple with a fan after violence broke out ahead of a match between the Three Lions and Serbia
A fan, said to be English, is led away from the city centre by two German police officers
A football fan is seen covered in blood following an altercation between Albania and Serbia fans on Sunday
Fans could be seen throwing furniture at one another, leaving several with blood pouring down their faces
Police officers break up a fight in Gelsenkirchen earlier this afternoon after spotting a fan being beaten on the ground
Police officers in riot gear gathered as tensions rose between Albania and Serbia fans
Serbia fans are escorted through the city centre by German police officers after scuffles earlier broke out between rival groups of fans
Rival groups of fans were seen throwing chairs and tables at one another in the city of Gelsenkirchen
Police had to intervene after a group of fans were seen kicking a man on the ground
A fan is given first aid and is searched by police after becoming embroiled in violence
Witnesses reported a ‘masked’ group of men suddenly burst around a corner and began throwing bottles.
An eyewitness told MailOnline: ‘There was a sudden burst of violence. It came out of nowhere.
‘It was unclear who started what. But to me it seemed liked a group of fans rushed the bar where Serbs were drinking and it all kicked off with tables, chairs and bottles thrown.
‘One man had blood pouring from a head wound – he was English I believe.’
The violence marks a return to the ugly side of football not seen since fans stormed Wembley in 2021 for the final of the 2020 Euros – which were delayed due to Covid.
Football hooliganism has largely been on the decline since its heydays of the 1980s and 1990s – but violence can still break out.
In videos on social media, glass could be heard being smashed as police ran down a street in the centre of town.
One clip showed several dozen fans throwing restaurant chairs and tables at one another before one group fled with the other giving chase.
Police officers joined the chase and broke up altercations which left several fans with blood pouring from their faces.
One fan could be seen curled up on the ground, bring kicked by rivals before police intervened.
Riot police descended on the scene within minutes of the violence and forced those still in the vicinity inside the steakhouse. Officers then quickly surrounded the terraced property with police vans blocking each end of the street.
Officers in riot gear rush to the scene of violent clashes in the German city on Sunday afternoon
Several small pockets of violence broke out ahead of England’s first game
It is thought that Albanian fans attacked Serbs who were sat outside a bar
A wall of police officers patrol the streets ahead of the Serbia-England game later
Riot police were ready for violence on Sunday after reports several hundred ‘Ultras’ – Serbian fans known for hooliganism – were planning to travel to the city
Tables and chairs were smashed during the violent scenes, almost five hours before the game was due to begin
Police officers intervened to help one man who was being beaten by rivals in Gelsenkirchen
Violence erupted outside a steakhouse with witnesses claiming Albanian fans were involved
Police officers assemble in the city centre at the scene of clashes between rival fan groups
A spokesperson for the UK’s Football Policing Unit said: ‘We are aware of an issue in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the England v Serbia match.
‘Our German colleagues have made a number of arrests of what we currently believe to be Serbian supporters.
‘At this stage we do not believe that any UK nationals have been arrested but enquiries are ongoing.
‘Our officers are at the location speaking to German colleagues.
‘Our investigation team is now reviewing footage of the incident and if any UK nationals have been involved, football banning orders will be sought.’
An Englishman, who would only give his first name, Larry, and who had been drinking with the Serbs when the attack was launched, said a group of men in balaclavas ‘ran around the corner and started throwing bottles.’
He added: ‘I ran away and the next thing I saw was the tables being smashed and chairs being thrown’.
His friend, another Englishman living in Belgrade who did not want to be named, added: ‘It was premeditated. They threw bottles, I just ran off.’
A mother and son enjoying their regular Sunday routine of coffee and cake at the Café Pabot opposite the Hirt Steakhouse said they were sat on the first floor when ‘all of a sudden bits of food and bottles started being thrown.’
The son, Felix Wurmes, 35, added: ‘It happened so fast. Then one group ran off, followed by the other.’
Police stand next to a restaurant decorated with Serbian flags ahead the Group C match between Serbia and England
German police officers search a football fan at the side of a van in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday
Police officers stand next to bunting made up of the Serbian flag ahead of the much-anticipated match
His mother, Beate Rafrlkski, 66, added: ‘They have had too much beer I expect – there’s too much emotion. We were anxious the trouble was going to spread to inside the café.’
Café worker Petra Thiel said another person who was in the café at the time told her she had heard the attackers shouting something in Serbian.
‘In total, there were about 50 people involved’, she added. ‘I didn’t see any masks’.
England fan Matthew Simpson had been socialising with the Serbian group moments before the trouble erupted. He said he was told the attackers had been Albanians.
There have been united calls for peace amid fears that hooligan clashes could overshadow the match – as Serbian thugs appeared to display online St George’s cross flags ‘stolen’ from English travelling groups.
Football fans in Serbia have a track record of serious violence – with hooligan groups linked to organised crime groups accused of kidnap, rape and even murder.
Red Star Belgrade ultras, known as the Delije or ‘Strong Boys’, they are said to specialise in gang warfare, political violence, racketeering and organised crime.
The Balkan country’s most notorious hooligan, Ivan Bogdanov, is a fearsome figure known as ‘Ivan the Terrible’ who has spent more than two years in Italian and Serbian jails.
An estimated 40,000 England supporters are believed to have descended this weekend on Gelsenkirchen and neighbouring cities such as Dusseldorf and Cologne.
But many faced issues reaching the stadium after a broken down train caused public transport delays.
Frustrated fans reported waiting more than half an hour for a train, while sports writer Oliver Kay described the situation as a ‘total mess’.
He wrote on social media: ‘For any England or Serbia fans who are still in the middle of Gelsenkirchen (or worse still not there yet), I’d recommend you set off on foot if you can. It’s about three miles but the public transport situation is a total mess.’
German police have been working with authorities from London and Belgrade to try to avoid ugly scenes in the areas around the stadium and during the game itself.
Tonight’s game marks a return to Gelsenkirchen 18 years after Wayne Rooney saw red there as England crashed out of the World Cup yet again on penalties.
England manager Gareth Southgate has encouraged supporters to enjoy their time in Germany.
Yet local police have labelled tonight’s game ‘high risk’ following reports earlier last week of Serbian ultras making their way to the region.
Some Serbian fans were seen being escorted to the stadium by police, who say the situation is back under control.