Serbia coaching halted as followers conflict with police forward of England tie
- Security were booed as a fan was stopped after running onto the training pitch
- Pyros were then launched at police with training forced to come to a halt
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Serbia’s pre-England training session was halted when pyro-wielding fans clashed with police in ominous scenes.
Dragan Stojkovic’s side play the Three Lions in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night in a match that has been designated ‘high risk’.
Local police fear 500 Serbian hooligans will try and cause trouble, while low-strength alcohol will be served in the stands in attempt to keep things under control.
However, on Wednesday night an open practice descended into chaos after a young fan tried to storm onto the pitch to meet his heroes.
After he was stopped by security boos rang out from a number of Serbian fans who had gathered and pyros were then launched at police.
Serbia’s open training session on Wednesday descended into chaos as fans clashed with police
A young fan was removed after he attempted to run onto the pitch to greet his heroes
Security in the venue were booed while police investigated pyro that had been thrown
Officers reacted quickly and tried to find the individual responsible but according to German media outlet BILD he was able to escape.
The session was paused but was able to continue after police had calmed things down.
More than 1,000 police will be on duty for the Sunday night opener. The match will be the only one in the tournament subject to alcohol restrictions, with 2.8 per cent beer served.
Nations competing at Euro 2024 are required by UEFA to put on an open training session.
England received criticism for limiting their session to 500 fans, the minimum allowed by UEFA, two weeks after Germany had welcomed 15,000 to the same venue in Jena.
A total of 2,800 tickets were reportedly distributed to Serbian fans to attend their open training session.
The incident comes days before Serbia face England in a match deemed ‘high risk’ by police
Local police fear 500 Serbian hooligans will try and cause trouble around the Euros clash
Dragan Stojkovic’s side will aim to upset England in their opening Euro 2024 match on Sunday
The session took place at the Rosenau Stadium in Augsburg.
Thousands more fans were pictured outside the stadium having been denied entry by security.
One supporter claimed on social media that around 5,000 fans were blocked from attending the session to watch the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic prepare for the match with England.
The fan claimed the decision was a ‘scandal’ with only the main stand open for spectators while the remainder of the venue was left empty.
