German authorities have labeled England’s opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia on June 16 as “high-risk.” This announcement raises concerns about potential fan violence and the security measures in place to prevent it.
The local police in Gelsenkirchen have identified a potential threat, pointing out that around 500 Serbian hooligans could be among the thousands of Serbian fans expected. To mitigate risks, only low-alcohol beer will be served at the stadium, fans from both countries will be kept apart, and over 1,000 police officers will be deployed.
Andreas Schaer, managing director of Euro 2024, explained the situation to BBC Sport. “The authorities rated the match high-risk from the start,” Schaer said. “This rating allowed us to set up preventative measures in Gelsenkirchen.”
Serbia’s long absence from the tournament adds to the uncertainty. “How the two fan groups will react remains an open question,” Schaer noted. “Our records don’t show a high risk of clashes, but the match has the potential to escalate if not managed carefully.”
Despite the rise of fan disorder in European club football recently, organizers believe international matches pose less risk. However, Serbia has faced issues with fan behavior linked to pro-Russian, far-right groups, and organized crime. Incidents include a stadium closure in November for racist behavior and attacks on Manchester City supporters in December.
Yet, not everyone sees a significant threat. BBC’s Balkans correspondent, Guy Delaunay, remarked, “It’s been more than a decade since Serbian fans caused serious trouble at an international match outside their home country.”
Meanwhile, over 250,000 England fans are expected to attend Euro 2024, with 40,000 set to be in Gelsenkirchen. British police emphasize that England fans have been well-behaved in recent tournaments, with few arrests and thousands of banning orders to prevent troublemakers from traveling.
Michael Gabriel, a coordinator for German supporter groups, remains optimistic. “I don’t know of any history between England and Serbia, so I’m relaxed,” he told BBC Sport. “In 2006, 70,000 England fans visited Frankfurt without problems. We expect the same now.”
As Germany prepares to host its first major men’s tournament since the 2006 World Cup, there is hope that Euro 2024 will bring unity and uplift the nation amid economic uncertainty and political upheaval. “Times have changed, but these four weeks will open a window where things are better,” Gabriel added.
For more updates on Euro 2024, stay tuned.
