England fans travelling to Euro 2024 have been warned about Serbian ultra’s for their opening game.
The Three Lions are set to roar into action at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen in western Germany next Sunday (June 9). However, it has been earmarked as one of the “high risk” games at the festival of football thanks to notorious Serbian hooligans.
About 500,000 Serbs live in Germany and there are suggestions some may head to Gelsenkirchen specifically to cause trouble – sparking fears that similar scenes to Marseille in 2016, when English fans clashed with Russians, could be on the cards.
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A UK law enforcement source told the i: “If you were going to hold this tournament at this time anywhere apart from the UK, then you would choose Germany.
“They have a lot of experience at this kind of thing and they are putting in place a comprehensive system. But it’s a complex picture and unfortunately England fans are still regarded as fair game, or even desirable targets, by opposing hooligan groupings.
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“There is particular concern about the Serbia game.”
According to The Sun, Serbian Ultras – many of which are part of the far-right pro-Russian “Delije” or “Strongmen” Red Star Belgrade fan groups – have made it clear they want to fight English and German nationals.
One Eastern European platform has even promised to cover all “events outside the stadium”.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to the report, British police “spotters” and plain-clothed officers will also be present to watch England fans – especially at the Trabrennbahn racecourse, England’s fanzone.
Scottish fans are also are also believed to be at risk when they take on Hungary on June 23 at Stuttgart’s MHPArena.