The upcoming Euro 2024 match between England and Serbia has been labeled as “high-risk” by German authorities due to concerns over potential security threats. The local police in Gelsenkirchen are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of fans, including serving only low-alcohol beer at the stadium and keeping fans from the two countries separate. Over 1,000 police officers will be on duty as part of a major security operation.
Andreas Schaer, the managing director of Euro 2024, explains that the match was initially rated as high-risk to prompt the implementation of preventative measures. While the organizers are not overly concerned about clashes between fan groups, there is still potential for escalation if precautions are not taken. Schaer highlights the unknown factors surrounding the two fan groups and their reactions, as Serbia has not participated in the tournament for some time.
It is worth noting that the recent re-emergence of fan disorder in European club games does not necessarily translate to international football. Organizers believe that a distinction must be made between the two, as incidents have been less frequent in international matches. However, Serbia has faced issues with fan behavior in recent seasons, with hooliganism often linked to pro-Russian, far-right political groups, ultra-nationalism, and organized crime.
In November, Serbia’s stadium was partially closed for a qualifier against Bulgaria due to racist behavior by fans during a match with Montenegro. Manchester City also confirmed that their supporters were attacked before a Champions League game in Belgrade. Serbian fans have also expressed support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Red Star Belgrade has maintained a sponsorship deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom. Despite these concerns, it has been over a decade since Serbian fans caused any serious trouble at an international match outside their home country.
On the other hand, more than a quarter of a million England fans are expected to attend Euro 2024, making it the most accessible major men’s tournament for them since Euro 2016. Organizers are keen to avoid a repeat of the violence that marred the Euro 2016 match against Russia in Marseille and the disorder at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. British police have highlighted that there were only two arrests of England fans at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and none in Qatar two years ago. Additionally, 2,000 banning orders will prevent known troublemakers from traveling to Germany. However, the police acknowledge that a new generation of younger fans, about whom they have little information, will be attending their first overseas major tournament.
Andreas Schaer acknowledges that England matches have been somewhat tricky in the past, mainly due to fans consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. However, there have been no issues with fans inside the stadium. While ticketless fans may be expected, the cities are well prepared with fan zones to accommodate them. Michael Gabriel, the national lead for supporter groups across Germany, echoes this sentiment, stating that he is relaxed about the match between England and Serbia due to the lack of historical issues between the two teams. He recalls the positive experience of hosting 70,000 England fans in Frankfurt during the 2006 World Cup without any problems.
As Germany prepares to host its first major men’s tournament since 2006, there is hope that the Euros will serve as a unifying and uplifting force amidst economic uncertainty and political upheaval. The organizers and authorities are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of all fans attending the matches. With a focus on preventative measures and an understanding of the potential risks involved, they aim to create an enjoyable and peaceful environment for football enthusiasts from around the world.