England’s Euro 2024 group opener in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday has been classified as a “high risk” fixture, with police bracing for potential trouble. Authorities fear that Serbian fans may boo England’s national anthem, raising tensions. An estimated 500 Serbian hooligans are expected among the 5,000 Serbian fans, while up to 40,000 England fans will be present at the match.
Police and security chiefs are preparing for possible flashpoints, with local authorities estimating that over 500,000 British fans could travel to Germany to support England and Scotland throughout the tournament. Despite the concerns, German authorities assert that they have comprehensive plans in place, including serving low-alcohol beer and establishing well-policed fan zones to maintain order.
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed confidence in the preparations, noting that England fans have shown good behavior in recent years. “Our England fans have been absolutely brilliant support to us, particularly in the stadium,” he said. “The best thing that the fans can do to help us do well in this tournament is be a tribute to their country.”
Bullingham emphasized the collaborative efforts between the FA, police, and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) in both Germany and England over the past 18 months to ensure safety and security. “We’ve worked together with the police, the FSA, the police in both Germany and England in a really collaborative project,” he added.
In addition to managing fan behavior, the FA has pledged around £25,000 to help police combat social media abuse against players. Bullingham explained that the FA is funding a police unit specifically dedicated to prosecuting offenders of online abuse. “From our side, it is completely inexcusable,” he stated. “We are actually funding within the British Police a unit that will then prosecute.”
This initiative marks a significant shift in the FA’s approach to handling social media abuse, aiming to ensure that offenders face legal consequences. “It depends if they [police] can get it over the line or not, but what it does mean is there is a police resource to go for it,” Bullingham said.
As England prepares for their high-risk opener, the emphasis remains on maintaining fan behavior and ensuring a safe, enjoyable tournament for all supporters.
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