Dutch hooligans have injured five England fans after a series of attacks on Dortmund bars as the Euros explodes into sickening violence.
Videos have surfaced on X of swaths of people dressed in the iconic bright orange football shirts throwing stools and benches outside a local cafe ahead of the semi-final match tonight.
UK Police say groups of ‘risk supporters’ are known to be among the 80,000 strong Dutch support that has descended on the German city.
They have warned England fans to seek refuge in areas populated by German police. One clip shows England fans being set upon outside a city centre bar.
Locals attempted to guard the cafe, with fans who chose to venture out and engage with the fracas were quickly set upon by groups Dutch supporters.
It is not yet known what triggered the attack, with unconfirmed reports suggesting both sets of fans had traded insults through chant, as riot police were forced to step in to bring the situation under control.
Dutch fans appeared to attack England supporters for ‘no reason’ around the city of Dortmund
Stools, benches and bottles were flung during the fracas ahead of England’s semi-final
England supporters were forced to take cover in a local cafe, whose proprietors were keen to protect their customers
As they call for peace, punches and bar stools rain down. The group is forced inside the bar for their own safety as bouncers attempt to keep the Netherlands thugs outside.
A spokesperson for the UK Football Policing Unit said: ‘We are aware of some reports and videos circulating of disorder in Dortmund.
‘It appears that there have been several instances of Dutch fans attacking England fans in bars and attempting to steal flags.
‘We understand this has resulted in minor injuries to five people. We are also aware that in addition to the tens of thousands of Dutch fans there to enjoy the game, there are groups of risk supporters who have travelled to Dortmund from the Netherlands.
‘Our officers are at the location supporting German colleagues. We would advise supporters to be aware of their surroundings and seek areas where there is a German Police presence.’
‘Dutch fans. Not so friendly,’ the user posted to social media site X (formerly Twitter).
‘Having a quiet drink – England and Dutch together, good vibes.
‘Group of Dutch fans (we’ve been told Feyenoord) attacked the English out of the blue. No reason.
‘Police have told us to stay here. Dutch firms everywhere picking off England fans.’
Fans who did venture out were set upon by fans wearing Netherlands jerseys or orange shirts
Lines of riot police attempted to keep the two groups separate late on Wednesday afternoon
At another cafe, Dutch supporters appear to antagonise fans enjoying a drink outdoors
The fans were later chased away by riot police following the group – thought to be supporters from Eredivisie firms
Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that Dortmund was gearing up to become a sea of orange after the Dutch support outbought England fans 25 to one on a leading ticket resale sight.
Fans keen to see their team attempt to reach the finals on the heels of their quarter-final triumph against Turkey are thought to number 80,000 in the city, with the 60,440 capacity of Borussia Dortmund’s stadium expected to be split 60-40 in favour of the Netherlands.
