European Football Championship - Police reach semifinals: Great majority of people completely peaceful
Despite some fan disturbances with several lightly injured people, the Police in Dortmund are satisfied with the large-scale operation around the EM-Halbfinal match between Netherlands and England. The goal of enabling a safe football festival has been achieved, according to the Police Chief of the operation, Achim Stankowitz. Over 100,000 mostly peaceful football fans had reportedly gathered in the city. A number of incidents were quickly brought under control.
A total of 17 people were lightly injured in incidents around the EM-Halbfinal between the Netherlands and England, including seven police officers. The law enforcement officers intervened in 22 cases of bodily harm offenses. Moreover, there was an attack on bailiffs and four acts of resistance against the police. Twenty-three Dutch and three English fans were taken into custody but have since been released.
Bottles flying in restaurants
Before the encounter on a Wednesday evening, fans of different factions clashed in three bars in the Innenstadt. The police reported that chairs and bottles were thrown. The response teams were promptly on the scene and prevented further escalations. During the game, physical confrontations occurred between Dutch fans from Rotterdam and Utrecht at several locations. The police then arrested five Utrecht fans.
In their post-match report, the police spoke of one of the "greatest football operations of all time in Dortmund" - this time in a city entirely bathed in orange. According to police estimates, 100,000 fans participated in the Dutch fans' march from the Innenstadt towards the stadium and Public Viewing. The fan zones in the Innenstadt and Westfalenpark were already full early on.
Some fans had climbed over fences and uncontrollably entered the fan zones with Public Viewing, even though these were already full. However, they remained unnoticed. Additionally, the police took three men into temporary custody for suspected fraud. They were accused of selling electronic football tickets at the stadium without actually sending these to the buyers.
Police: Fewer crimes than in Bundesliga matches
Given the high attendance, there were significantly fewer crimes compared to matches in the Football Bundesliga, the police emphasized. The majority of people were completely peaceful, Police Chief Stankowitz added. "It's hardly avoidable that there will be incidents at a few places and with the emotions of a football match."
Police in North Rhine-Westphalia deployed a significant force for the semi-final match of the European Football Championship in Dortmund, aiming to ensure safety for the estimated 100,000 soccer fans attending the Netherlands vs. England match. Despite some disturbances leading to 17 light injuries, the operation was overall deemed successful, with the goal of enabling a safe football festival being achieved.
During pre-match leisure activities in the Innenstadt, fans from different factions clashed in three bars, resulting in thrown chairs and bottles. The police intervened promptly and prevented any further escalations. Meanwhile, physical confrontations between Dutch fans from Rotterdam and Utrecht occurred at several locations during the game, resulting in five Utrecht fans being arrested.
In their post-match report, the police heralded the operation as one of the "greatest football operations of all time" in Dortmund, with 100,000 fans participating in the Dutch fans' march. Despite some incidents, such as uncontrolled entrances into fan zones, the police reported significantly fewer crimes compared to Football Bundesliga matches.
The police commended the mostly peaceful behavior of the fans, acknowledging that some incidents were inevitable due to football match emotions. In total, 23 Dutch and three English fans were taken into custody but later released, while the police also detained three men for suspected fraudulent ticket sales.
Despite the challenges, the large-scale operation around the semi-final match of the European Football Championship in Dortmund was praised for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for soccer fans from the Netherlands and England.
