Man detained at Manchester Airport after fan trouble before England v Serbia as he has passport taken away
A MAN has been detained at Manchester Airport and had his passport taken away after fan trouble before the England versus Serbia game.
Rival fans threw chairs at each other outside a restaurant in Gelsenkirchen five hours before kick-off.
Around 3.30pm, some 200 German riot police swiftly restored order as bottles and glasses filled the air during the brawl.
And on Monday, it was confirmed that an England fan was arrested as he flew back to Manchester Airport.
The man, 39 and from the Bolton area, was detained by officers at Manchester airport on Monday evening under the Football Spectators Act 1989.
His passport has been retained by police and he will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday June 18 for a Civil Football Banning Order Hearing.
Mick Johnson, head of the UKFPU, has now confirmed a fan from the UK has been detained.
He said in a statement: “This action shows the breadth of the Euro 2024 football policing operation and demonstrates there are consequences for supporters who are intent on causing disorder.
“Any UK football supporter causing disorder in Germany which would be deemed an offence in this country could face police action upon their return.
“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, and where appropriate we will seek football banning orders to prevent perpetrators from attending future games both internationally and domestically.
“German police will also take action against those who break the law, and this can include heavy fines and custodial sentences. We are working closely with our policing colleagues in Germany and have a team of UK officers deployed overseas supporting their operation.
“We want fans who are travelling to Germany to have a good time, but please remember to drink responsibly, respect the local culture and don’t put yourself in danger.”
Police at the scene said they believed the English had started the trouble – but English fans blamed the Serbs.
Cops later confirmed that six Serbs had been arrested but there were no English arrests.
Trouble centred on the Aleppo Restaurant in Arminstrasse, where the scene was littered with smashed glass, bottles and debris minutes after the clash.
A source said: “All that’s confirmed at the moment is that English fans were definitely involved.”