Three England supporters have been arrested in Munich for performing Nazi salutes ahead of tonight’s Nations League match against Germany, according to local police, while a video of a group singing ’10 German Bombers’ emerged, despite Gareth Southgate’s requests not to.
Another fan set off a flare inside his hotel room, causing £1,700 in damage, while four others were detained for acts like as disrespecting police officers and peeing on the street.
Many of the troublemakers were required to pay a security deposit of roughly £170 – the local equivalent of an on-the-spot fine – while two of the troublemakers who were unable to pay the money were taken before a district court.
Some bars in the city closed early yesterday after being overwhelmed by the number of fans, while other pubs did not open at all today after reports of incidents getting out of hand among some supporters.
One ‘brawl,’ involving 30 to 50 England fans, was reported to police yesterday, but it had dispersed by the time armed cops arrived.
Following the purchase of tickets in the German area of the Allianz Arena by some England fans, there are worries of more conflicts later today.
According to a Munich police spokeswoman, officers may only prevent England fans from entering the ‘home’ end if there is a risk of disorder.
Since Saturday, 700 police officers have been sent to deal with the surge of England supporters to the city, far more than would be needed for a Bayern Munich football match, he claimed.
It follows a plea from England manager Gareth Southgate for fans to behave to repair their damaged reputation, particularly in light of the unsavoury scenes at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final.
Three Lions supporters in Munich have said the overwhelming majority of fans want to ‘fix’ their ‘pretty poor reputation’ internationally, particularly in light of the unsavoury scenes at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final.
And they said England fans have been turning on troublemakers in an effort to clean up their image at international football matches, including condemning offensive chanting.
The FA has warned fans singing chants like ’10 German Bombers’ face being banned from future matches.
Adam Carr, a 21-year-old England fan who supports his hometown team Liverpool, said: ‘I noticed people were chanting the songs we’re not supposed to chant about Germany, and instantly they were told by other England fans to shut up.
‘It feels like everyone knows the spotlight’s on us, especially after the Euros. Everyone’s just trying extra hard. In the past with England away days there was a lot of trouble.
‘For the younger generation we want to be able to go to cities and go into places and people greet us with a friendly face rather than being ”Oh god, it’s the English”. That’s what we don’t want any more.’
His friend, 22-year-old Lewis Kenyon, a Manchester United fan from Rochdale, said: ‘(There were) a couple of chants but it got silenced pretty quick. Most people were on their best behaviour.
‘We’ve got a pretty poor reputation so we need to try and fix it a little bit. It’s trying not to act like idiots.’
Jordan Hodgson, 25, a West Ham supporter from Carlisle in Cumbria, was among those in Munich’s Marienplatz main square wearing England colours, and said he feels younger fans are particularly keen to improve how they are perceived.
He said: ‘I think we’ve just got a reputation from the ’80s and ’90s. Obviously I am young, so I have not experienced any of that.
‘I’ve been on a number of field trips, and I believe we’re well behaved.’ There’s always one individual who destroys everything for us, and the press picks up on it.
‘However, I believe we are generally well behaved.’ I’m going to be good – I’ll have a few drinks tonight, but I’ll keep my cool.’
Birmingham City supporters Jack Gilligan, 22, from Solihull, West Midlands, and Robbie Lavin, 21, from Kings Heath, Birmingham, stated they were greeted warmly by German fans.
‘The Germans were urging us to come along to their bars, laughing and joking,’ Mr Gilligan added. I believe they are simply relieved to have football back.
‘We’ve found quite a few England fans (with tickets) in the Germany end, we spoke to some German fans and they said it’s quite normal.’
Mr Lavin said: ‘We got here yesterday and went straight to the pub – everyone seems up for it. We’ve seen no trouble.’
