England followers behaviour at World Cup ‘exemplary’, as cops say ‘hooligans’ on the decline

Just 25 Three Lions’ fans clashed with cops at the last three World Cups and behaviour in North America was ‘exemplary’

The hardcore England football hooligan is dead, police say. Just 25 Three Lions’ fans have been involved in dust-ups at the last three World Cups.

Police said their behaviour in the US and Mexico was ‘exemplary’.

While 22 fans were dealt with by cops during the six week tournament it was for ‘isolated’ incidents involving ‘low level’ offences and did not result in custody, according to UK football police chief Mark Roberts.

He said the sportsmanship he witnessed between Mexico and England fans after the last-16 showdown in the Estadio Azteca was the ‘most positive atmosphere’ he has seen at any match in 14 years in the job.

The chief constable said any remaining troublemakers were ‘more Inbetweeners than Green Street’ – driven by ‘too much alcohol’ rather than organised gang violence.

Mr Roberts hailed football banning orders for stopping hardcore troublemakers travelling abroad.

He said his battle was to convince local police in World Cup countries Brit hooligans now only exist in the Green Street movie series about hardcore mobs.

Instead the few fans who may step out of line are like the drunken bunglers in The Inbetweeners films.

He said: “The behaviour of the fans in the US and Mexico was exemplary.

“We had a significant number of people travelling – more than we have seen to previous World Cups.

“The support over in the US and Mexico was absolutely fantastic. The team benefitted.

“Typically the people that went were really interested in the football.

“Behaviour was exemplary.”

He said England fans ‘suffer from misconceptions’ due to an ‘out of date image’ of fan behaviour which can have ‘real consequences’.

“Sometimes we see police forces in other countries rooted into a mindset based on historical behaviour,” he said.

“All we ask is, ‘please treat our fans based on their actions not pre-conceptions’.

“The Mexicans and Americans really took us up on that. We took that as a really positive picture.

“We have got to recognise the improvement in behaviour of the fans.

“When our fans are travelling as far as Brazil, South Africa, Russia has got its challenges clearly, and Qatar and the States it is tremendously expensive.

“The people who go are genuine fans.

“They deserve the most credit for going and behaving.

“If you look at other European countries they’ve got a far worse issue with people who go out intent on doing serious violence.

“Broadly our fans have really improved.

“Banning orders make a big difference.

“If you get a banning order you’re banned domestically as well as overseas. You’ve got to surrender your passport when England or your team play abroad.

“If you take out a dozen of the worst people supporting a team that’s going to make a big difference.”

Mr Roberts said while fans’ behaviour abroad has got better it has worsened at home with record domestic violence incidents, sex crimes and pub brawls reported during the tournament.

Incidents included two stabbings, a strangulation and a police station surrounded by brick-tossing thugs.

Most violence peaked during the semi-final against Argentina.

Mr Roberts said the Government’s decision to extend licensing laws 48 hours before matches they had known were happening months in advance contributed.

Police could not arrange cover properly.

“We must do better for the next tournament,” he said.

Mr Roberts said incidents involving young supporters and online hate crimes had pushed incidents in domestic matches to a record high.

More cash was needed to fund UK-based police operations so ‘we don’t have any return to things that hopefully we’ve removed from the game’.