England followers tear gassed by riot police and ‘handled like animals’ in Greece as FA reply
England fans were tear gassed by police ahead of the 3-0 win over Greece in Athens.
Travelling supporters struggled to get into the Olympic Stadium and were pushed against fences. The Football Association are looking into the treatment of 3,500 travelling fans who were at the 3-0 win in Athens.
Police in riot clothing with shields and batons marshalled the supporters as they queued to get into the 70,000 stadium. A significant number of fans failed to get into the stadium before the kick-off at 9.45pm local time.
Some have complained about the use of tear gas – and say fans were pushed as they queued to get into the ground. An FA statement said: “We are aware that some of our fans had a difficult experience outside the ground and are obtaining more information on exactly what happened.”
The FSA’s Free Lions Fans’ Embassy posted on X: “Unfortunately, once again, we are having to ask England supporters to send in their witness accounts to ourselves regarding the situation outside of the Athens Olympic Stadium.
(Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
“Despite being told how things would operate in advance, to see the exact opposite occur in some cases, and to see the treatment of our fans by local police using shields and tear gas to do something as simple as rearrange a queue, is so incredibly frustrating.
“We’ll say more over the next 24 hours, but in the meantime, if fans can email infothefsa.org.uk with your experiences, we will work with the FA and we will raise with FansEurope and in turn UEFA, who have already been made aware.
“On a night where we had a great result on the pitch, there is still clearly so much needed to do off it to ensure our supporters aren’t put in unjustifiably dangerous situations.”
Jack Loftus, from Telford, told PA: “It’s been mental. They went to adjust the queue at the front to make it narrower and longer and just did it with force. They were pushing the crowd amongst the fence.
“They ultimately treat us like animals, then they’ll act the victim if there’s retaliation. Sick of the foreign police.”
Jamie Murray from Bury complained of “heavy handed” treatment. “England fans were just queuing to get in. 3,500 through one gate, it hadn’t really been thought out,” Mr Murray told PA. “FA officials were just standing watching too.”
During the match, Jude Bellingham was targeted by supporters with a green laser. The Real Madrid midfielder, 21, had the green light shone on him from the stands when he touched the ball during the must-win clash against Greece.
