In what was meant to be a thrilling football night for England fans, the atmosphere outside Athens’ Olympic Stadium turned sour as police used tear gas and aggressive tactics to manage the crowd ahead of their team’s 3-0 victory over Greece.
The Football Association (FA) has since launched an investigation into the events, as thousands of England supporters were caught up in chaotic scenes that left many frustrated and distressed.
Around 3,500 travelling England fans had gathered in anticipation of the match, but what should have been a routine entry into the 70,000-capacity stadium quickly became a nightmare. Riot police, equipped with shields and batons, were stationed outside, and the tense situation escalated when fans struggled to get into the stadium ahead of the 9:45 pm local kick-off. As queues lengthened and tensions grew, several supporters were forced into overcrowded areas, with reports of fans being pushed against fences.
According to multiple witness accounts, the treatment of the fans was heavy-handed. In an attempt to manage the situation, police deployed tear gas, causing panic among the crowd. The FA, aware of the distress caused to their supporters, issued a statement expressing their concern and promising to gather more details about the incident. “We are aware that some of our fans had a difficult experience outside the ground and are obtaining more information on exactly what happened,” the FA said.
The Free Lions Fans’ Embassy, representing England’s travelling supporters, also condemned the handling of the situation. In a post on social media, they said, “Despite being told how things would operate in advance, to see the exact opposite occur in some cases, and to see the treatment of our fans by local police using shields and tear gas to do something as simple as rearrange a queue, is so incredibly frustrating.” They urged fans to share their experiences and promised to raise the matter with UEFA and FansEurope.
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Witnesses to the chaotic scenes were left shaken by the aggressive approach of the Greek police. Jack Loftus, a fan from Telford, described the situation as “mental.” He recalled how police “went to adjust the queue at the front to make it narrower and longer and just did it with force.” The crowd was reportedly pushed up against fences as the situation became more intense. “They ultimately treat us like animals,” Loftus said, expressing frustration at the police’s conduct. “Then they’ll act the victim if there’s retaliation. Sick of the foreign police.”
Another fan, Jamie Murray from Bury, echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the “heavy-handed” treatment of the supporters. “England fans were just queuing to get in. 3,500 through one gate, it hadn’t really been thought out,” he explained. “FA officials were just standing watching too.” Murray highlighted the lack of planning, with one gate being used for thousands of fans, which ultimately led to the unrest.
Inside the stadium, the focus shifted to the match, where England secured a vital 3-0 win. However, the controversy outside continued to linger. During the game, Jude Bellingham, who has been in excellent form for Real Madrid, was targeted by a green laser from the stands. The 21-year-old midfielder was seen trying to shake off the laser, which was aimed at him whenever he touched the ball. The incident sparked outrage, with many calling it an unsporting act that marred an otherwise historic night for England.
As the situation unfolds, the FA has vowed to address the treatment of fans in Athens. They are working closely with UEFA and other football authorities to ensure that incidents like this are thoroughly investigated and prevented in the future. The governing body has also expressed concern over the safety of their supporters, emphasizing the need for better organization and security measures when travelling abroad.
Despite the troubling scenes off the pitch, the victory for England was important in their bid to qualify for upcoming international tournaments. But the events outside the stadium highlight a deeper issue: the need for better crowd management and respect for fans, who should never be made to feel unsafe or mistreated while supporting their national team. As investigations continue, all eyes will be on how the Greek authorities and UEFA respond to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
The incident in Athens serves as a stark reminder that football should be about enjoyment, passion, and unity—values that are often overshadowed by poor planning and heavy-handed policing. England fans are not asking for preferential treatment, but simply for the safety and dignity they deserve when travelling to support their team. In the coming days, the FA’s investigation and the reactions from football’s governing bodies will be closely scrutinized, as fans demand answers and justice for their treatment.