Top cop brands England fans ‘idiots’ after clashes with police tarnish Three Lions’ Nations League trip to Portugal - 7M sport

Top cop brands England fans ‘idiots’ after clashes with police tarnish Three Lions’ Nations League trip to Portugal



Posted Friday, June 07, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

A TOP cop has branded a minority of England fans "idiots" after clashes with police tarnished the Nations League trip to Portugal.

Tonight thousands packed out the stadium in Guimaraes as England went from elation to despair in a tense 3-1 semi-finals defeat.

Top cop brands England fans ‘idiots’ after clashes with police tarnish Three Lions’ Nations League trip to Portugal
Trouble flared in Portugal on Wednesday night as England fans clashed with police

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, head of the UK football policing unit, said the FA's attempts to prevent trouble had failed this week after some England supporters were involved in clashes with police.

Referencing the FA film 'Don't be that Idiot', released before the trip, Mr Robertson said: "Sadly, that idiot came to Portugal and brought 20 of his friends.

"We get the same factors contributing to scenes which become messy.

"We've seen it now in Seville, Amsterdam and Portugal. It concerns us that the next away game is in Prague."

England face the Czech Republic in a European Championships qualifier on Friday, October 11.

FANS UNDER FIRE AGAIN

Tonight England fans came under fire again after booing the Dutch national anthem before the match.

And rowdy supporters continued to attract attention when they were seen belly-flopping into water fountains to a chorus of chants this afternoon.

Earlier this evening a fan was also filmed burning a Portuguese scarf as others watched on.

Gary Lineker slammed Three Lions fans as "embarrassing" for their treatment of Virgil van Dijk in the Nations League.

The Liverpool defender, who was representing Holland in the semi-final, was booed by England supporters every time he touched the ball in the first half.

KICKING OFF

Last night around 150 English supporters in a UEFA Nations League fan zone were watching the first semi-final on big screens when they clashed with locals before cops moved in to drive the factions apart.

Some fans claimed the police response was heavy handed, saying the cops launched the charge after just one beer bottle had been thrown in the air.

Eye witness Ollie Garfield wrote on Twitter: "Before any stories go around about England fans being hooligans... a lot of people stood watching the game casually enjoying themselves. A beer went in the air which led to Portuguese police charging and hitting every person in sight..."

He added: "Witnessed it first hand. Pepper spray, batons and excessive force used. Luckily our group escaped with minor injuries but @UEFAEURO @UEFA when you choose a location for a tournament, make sure the city is up to hosting it."

An estimated 18,000 England supporters have descended on Portugal for the Nations League finals, which conclude on Sunday.

A Portuguese Police spokesman said in the aftermath of a baton charge against around 200 England supporters: "There was an altercation between England supporters and some Portuguese, assaults occurred and the PSP was forced to intervene.

"When the intervention occurred, the England fans turned on the police and two officers were injured."

The two supporters were arrested on suspicion of assault and are expected to appear in court later this week.

Top cop brands England fans ‘idiots’ after clashes with police tarnish Three Lions’ Nations League trip to Portugal
Police were seen charging at fans in the city



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