Seven Serbia fans arrested ahead of Euro 2024 clash with England

Seven Serbia fans have been arrested after violent clashes in Gelsenkirchen ahead of their Euro 2024 opener against England.

Videos circulating on social media show trouble brewing on a side street, with tables, chairs and bottles thrown before riot police arrived.

Some people were injured, with former England striker Stan Collymore posting a picture of a man covered in blood on the social media site X accompanied by the message: “Police vans en masse in Gelsenkirchen centre now. Kicking off in tiny groups.”

Police vans en masse in Gelsenkirchen centre now. Kicking off in tiny groups. pic.twitter.com/ZksODxzPyM

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 16, 2024

Gelsenkirchen police confirmed all the arrests were of Serbian citizens.

A spokesperson said: “There was a confrontation between Serbian and English football fans in the city of Gelsenkirchen.

“The two fan groups were separated. Seven people were taken into custody. There was also a complaint of grievous bodily harm. The background to this is still unclear.”

A spokesman for the UK Football Policing Unit added: “We are aware of an issue in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the England v Serbia match.

“Our German colleagues have made a number of arrests of what we currently believe to be Serbian supporters. At this stage we do not believe that any UK nationals have been arrested but enquiries are ongoing.

“Our officers are at the location speaking to German colleagues. Our investigation team is now reviewing footage of the incident and, if any UK nationals have been involved, football banning orders will be sought.”

There have also been further reports and videos circulating of England fans signing ’10 German bombers’, defying warnings from German police.

Meanwhile, Hamburg