Football Fans Clash, One Englishman Injured

[Marcus Marulus]

AHEAD OF GAME

Football Fans Clash, One Englishman Injured

Several clashes among fans broke out yesterday and today, English police officer apprehends Croatian and uses force after he resisted arrest


Police on every corner in Zagreb

ZAGREB, CROATIA – Despite announcements of the presence of police “on every corner”, clashes between fans began in Zagreb’s streets last night. A group of Croatian fans apparently attacked 21-year-old Englishman Simon J.

Despite the fact that he sustained minor injuries, Simon refused police intervention. Only ten minutes later a mass fight broke out in Senoa Street, the result of which were four people arrested. Unofficial sources say that some of the attackers were masked with caps with eye slots and armed with bats, but police could not confirm this.

Almost parallel to the fight in Senoina Street, another fight broke out downtown where, for attempted flight after a clash with England’s fans, 18-year-old Luca V. was arrested.


England's fans in Zagreb
Mario Ćužić

He was taken to a police station by an English police officer who had to use force and handcuffs because Luca resisted arrest.

But Luca is only one out of a total of 14 fans, 13 of whom are Croatian, who were arrested on Tuesday.

One foreigner is also among those arrested, but he is not an English citizen. Rather, he is a German citizen who was arrested around 11pm for preventing police from performing their duties.

Despite the fact that the police was quite busy even several days before the game, excitement can be felt on every step. As usual, the English Fans’ Embassy, that is a vehicle of the “Football Supporters Federation” of England spread a large English flag in Zagreb’s main Josip Ban Jelacic Square on which everybody can leave a written message.

British Ambassador to Croatia, David Blunt, also came to Zagreb’s downtown and along with him, a few English fans visited the prefabricated information centre. The rest of the fans were in cafes.

Have you ever been to England, Smiled the British Ambassador, confirming the English love their beer.

Stressing that he was hoping for England to win in today’s match, Blunt said he firstly expected a good sportsmanship atmosphere, but also good offences by the England football team.

Although the English are often branded as hooligans, Blunt sees no reason for trouble.

We recently played in Barcelona and the atmosphere was good. I am hoping for the same in Zagreb, but there won’t be just English fans in the streets. I primarily expect fun, good cheering and a good sportsmanship atmosphere and respect among fans, said Blunt, who is fascinated with Zagreb.

What attracted the English fans were cafes in the very centre of the city with a leisurely atmosphere. They drank beer right along with the Croatian fans.

[source]

[Milesian]

I've got a sneaking suspicion a lot of those "English" fans might have been wearing Rangers tops underneath.....

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Milesian

I've got a sneaking suspicion a lot of those "English" fans might have been wearing Rangers tops underneath.....

What? They usually root for England instead of Scotland?

[Zeropean]

Probably it wasn't unprovoked... But if it was just a group of kids trying to "proove" themselves it's really stupid...

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Arthur Gordon Pym

What? They usually root for England instead of Scotland?

That's actually a difficult question to answer.
A small minority do support England, yes.
Some support Scotland.
Some only identify with being British.
Some support Scotland, wear England tops and claim to despise all things English.

As you can see, there's something of an identity crisis going on there.

But my main reason for suspecting this is their recent behaviour in Manchester......and Barcelona...and ad infinitum

[Zeropean]

Probably most of them are just looking for problems wherever they may find them...