England fans were attacked by rival Netherlands supporters in Dortmund just hours before the Euro 2024 semi-final was due to kick off. Ugly scenes unfolded in the German city on Wednesday afternoon as it emerged that a group of Dutch fans targeted their English counterparts at a local pub.
Video footage emerged on social media appearing to show England fans – who were situated at a local establishment – being struck with wooden chairs and stalls, while fans dressed in orange attire threw punches.
In the clip, fights began to break out between the two sets on fans with some fans in England merchandise taking shelter in a nearby pub to avoid getting involved.
However, Dutch fans quickly swept inside the pub and reignited the attacks. It is not yet known what triggered the attack, with unconfirmed reports suggesting both sets of fans had traded insults through chants.
Riot police then stepped in to calm the situation.
Billy Grant, a member of the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), tweeted images and videos of the attacks. Mr Grant claimed to have witnessed an incident whereby a group of Dutch fans – purpoted to be Feyenoord supporters – “attacked the English out the blue”.
Police then told England fans to remain where they were as they began to separate the two sections of fans, who had been enjoying drinking and eating together without any trouble.
It comes after Dutch fans were spotted marching through the streets of the German city chanting songs and dancing, with an estimated 80,000 travelling across the Dutch-German border for Wednesday’s game.
It is understood there will be 40,000 England fans in the city, suggesting they could be vastly outnumbered inside Signal Iduna Park.
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