European Football Championship - Before the semi-final: Fans clash in Dortmund
After the Dutch and English football fans' party in Dortmund's city center had been running relatively peacefully for a long time, an altercation occurred at a restaurant just few hours before the EURO semi-final. Two groups from both sides got into a fight, confirmed a police spokesperson to the German Press Agency.
Police were on site to take measures. Objects were thrown, the spokesperson added. Moreover, some people were injured.
Approximately 100,000 Dutch supporters marched through the city center towards the stadium and the Public Viewing in Westfalenpark before the game (9 p.m./ARD and Magenta TV), singing and jumping. According to police reports, this was the largest fan march the city has ever experienced. Additionally, 25,000 English fans were on the move.
The altercation at the restaurant in Dortmund's city center significantly dampened the leisure time activities leading up to the EM semi-final between Netherlands and England. Despite the incident, the enthusiasm for soccer was palpable, as 100,000 Dutch fans and 25,000 English supporters filled the city center, heading towards the stadium and the Public Viewing in Westfalenpark. Regrettably, this lively atmosphere observed in the city center was disrupted for a brief moment, as it was reported that some individuals involved in the fight at the restaurant were from both England and the Netherlands. Following the semifinal game, fans might consider venturing to a nearby restaurant in the city center to unwind and discuss the match's outcome.
