The Beautiful Game
Here we have it....why I loath the 'round ball game'.
A total of 83 arrests were made across the country as angry fans went on the rampage after England's dramatic Euro 2004 loss to France. Police officers were attacked with bricks and bottles as a surge of violence erupted following French captain Zinedine Zidane's late double strike.
Serious disturbances broke out in Croydon, south London, a number of towns in Hertfordshire, Wakefield in West Yorkshire and Boston in Lincolnshire. Up to 400 people were involved in disturbances in Croydon town centre as 12 people were arrested.
Missiles, including bottles, were thrown at police as several police vehicles were damaged, said a Scotland Yard spokesman said. The bout of "serious public disorder" lasted for an hour between 10.15pm and 11.15pm last night, police added.
Ambulance crews attended several locations in the town centre but it is understood there were no major injuries. Two police officers attended hospital with minor injuries. Those arrested are all in custody at a South London police station.
Superintendent Nick Jupp, of Croydon Police, condemned last night's post-match violence.
Twelve people were arrested in Birmingham after more than 200 people ran amok through the streets of the city centre after last night's match. One man was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
By way of comparison, those rugby boys..... England were heavily beaten by the All Blacks on Saturday - number of arrests - 0.
Thank goodness for the cricket results.
Comments
Tough game for the English. I don't know if this is a trend or not, but since the World Cup, they haven't as well as would be expected (loosing the Six Nations to the French but Wasps beating Toulouse and winning the Heineken Cup). Oh well, there is always next year.
Posted by: El-ahrairah | June 26, 2004 3:05 AM