England fans ‘treated like animals’ in Greece – UK police to investigate

England fans in Athens faced tear gas and riot shields from Greek police ahead of the Nations League match.

November 15, 2024
2:02 pm

UK police are looking into reports of rough treatment of England fans by Greek police before the Nations League match against Greece in Athens. Allegations include the use of riot shields and tear gas, which has upset supporters and sparked calls for accountability.

The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), which had officers at the match, is teaming up with the Football Association (FA) and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) to investigate what happened. They mentioned that their officers had “actively worked” with local police to change tactics but recognized the challenges fans faced at the Athens Olympic Stadium.

The FA is gathering detailed accounts from fans, and UEFA has been notified. About 3,500 England supporters made the trip to Greece, but some reported chaotic scenes at the stadium entrance. Complaints include police “pushing” fans, including kids, into tight spaces and reacting aggressively as the crowd grew.

One fan called the treatment “completely unnecessary,” while another shared on social media that local officers funneled hundreds of fans through limited entry points, causing dangerous bottlenecks.

The Free Lions, the FSA’s fan embassy, echoed these worries, calling the situation “frustrating” and stressing that more needs to be done to keep supporters safe from “unjustifiably dangerous situations.” They pointed out that despite pre-match plans for safety, the actual handling of fans didn’t match those arrangements.

Click the link below for the best odds and exclusive welcome bonus!

Tensions rose when Greek police reportedly used riot shields and tear gas to manage the queues, with fans saying the response was over the top. Video footage online shows moments of unrest outside the stadium.

In response, the UKFPU said it would work with UEFA, the FA, and the FSA to gather evidence and tackle these issues. The investigation will focus on figuring out what went wrong and making sure this doesn’t happen again.

These allegations come as concerns grow about how traveling fans are treated at international matches. Incidents like this have raised questions about UEFA’s oversight and how ready local authorities are to host big games safely.

While England had a great result on the pitch, the off-field events have overshadowed what should have been a fun occasion. The FA, UEFA, and UK police are committed to getting to the bottom of this and ensuring fan safety is a top priority.