After clashes between Serbian and English fans before the opening match, the police temporarily arrest eight people

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) – Eight people were temporarily detained after a brawl between Serbian and English fans in Gelsenkirchen before the opening match of the two countries’ European Championship, police said Monday.

Authorities said Sunday’s incident was over quickly and that they were overall satisfied with the security measures around the match, which police have classified as a high-risk game due to concerns about possible fan violence. Both groups of fans are known for causing trouble before and during the game.

In what police described as the only significant altercation, social media footage showed men throwing chairs at each other outside a restaurant decorated with Serbian flags. Police said a group of Serbian fans were eating in the restaurant when a large group of English fans tried to get in.

When reporters arrived shortly afterwards, they found the street littered with broken glass and tables. Several dozen police officers were standing nearby.

Seven Serbian and one English fan were arrested after the brawl and missed the game, Gelsenkirchen police senior police officer Peter Both told reporters. He said one fan was taken to hospital with a head injury but discharged himself to watch the game. Officials were not aware of anyone else being injured.

Both said the arrested fans were released during the night, but police were in contact with UEFA and would recommend that they be banned from upcoming matches.

The local police have many years of experience with one of the highest-risk games in Germany: the derby between Gelsenkirchen-based FC Schalke – currently in the second division – and rivals Borussia Dortmund.

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024.