November 15 – The Football Association has launched an investigation after England’s UEFA Nations League clash with Greece was overshadowed by fans being teargassed outside the stadium.
The Three Lions played in the Olympic Stadium in Athens in the crucial penultimate match of their League B Group 2 campaign. England ran out 3-0 winners.
“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 Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) were critical of local police saying “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.
“On a night where we had a great result on the pitch, there is still clearly so much needed to do off it to ensure our supporters aren’t put in unjustifiably dangerous situations.
“Unfortunately, once again, we are having to ask England supporters to send in their witness accounts to ourselves regarding the situation outside of the Athens Olympic Stadium.”
A UEFA Spokesperson has said that the policing outside the ground was a matter for the local authorities.
The match forced England to turn to its youngsters, with many stars dropping out from international duty in order to focus on club football.
Ahead of the game, England captain Harry Kane told ITV: “I think the joy to play for England – he [Southgate] brought that back. Every camp people were excited and wanted to play for England.
“That is the most important thing, England comes before anything. It comes before club. It is the most important thing you play for as a professional footballer. Gareth was hot on that and not afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players.
“It’s a shame this week. It’s a tough period of the season and maybe it’s been taken advantage of a little bit. I don’t really like it, if I’m totally honest. I think England comes before any club situation.”
In the absence of usual starters such as Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo, Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones impressed on his three lions debut, crowning a man of the match performance with a late goal to make it 3-0.
England face Ireland on Sunday at Wembley in a must-win match to ensure the top spot of the Nations League group.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734915253labto1734915253ofdlr1734915253owedi1734915253sni@g1734915253niwe.1734915253yrrah1734915253