’65 British football fans’ arrested at Euro 2016
England topped the arrests list for the home nations with 45 supporters held according to an MP
ENGLAND fans were the worst offenders at Euro 2016 with a whopping 45 out of the 65 people arrested Three Lions’ supporters, according to an MP.
A Home Office minister said those detained had “let the country down” following a tournament marred by violence.
England topped the list for those arrested followed by 11 from Northern Ireland and nine linked to Wales according to Mike Penning.
The Tory frontbencher said hooliganism at Euro 2016 was “the most abhorrent violence probably we've seen for many, many years”.
Spurs fan Mr Penning said the vast majority of UK fans have been "tarnished" by a small minority.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on football hooliganism he said: "With regards to the Euros, 65 UK supporters were arrested - 45 English, 11 Northern Irish and nine from Wales.
"Let me give the House an indication of the offences. So England, six for assault, 14 for public order, 13 for drunkenness, nine for criminal damage, two for drugs and one for ticket touting.
"Northern Ireland - two for criminal damage, two for public order, one for drunkenness, four for assault, one for ticket touting, and one for pitch encroachment, it used to be called invasion.
"Wales, a limited number - nine that let the country down - five for drunkenness, two for assault and two for possession of a flare."
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England were sent packing after an embarrassing defeat to Iceland earlier this week.
The team’s early games in the tournament were overshadowed by fighting with Russian hooligans.
Trouble flared both inside the stadium and on the streets of Marseille.
French riot cops sprayed tear gas and charged at Brits following a series of savage battles on the streets with Russian fans.
Mr Penning, after speaking about the violence in Marseille, noted: "It is enormously disappointing that the vast majority of football fans that went to support their country, no matter what part of the United Kingdom they come from, were tarnished by a small minority of people that ended up in the most abhorrent violence probably we've seen for many, many years.
"We must not condone it and (must) come down with the full force of the law and make sure, for instance, that those arrested - and they don't have to have been prosecuted - have banning orders put on them for what they did out there."
Wales have progressed to a quarter-final encounter with Belgium after beating Northern Ireland 1-0.
Mr Penning – who said the police "can do more" and will receive extra support - added: "But actually it's the football fans who need to say 'enough is enough'.
"There is so much money in football today, the clubs themselves have a real responsibility as well.
"One of the issues I have with my police football unit is getting the clubs to pay the bills to the police after the matches, when it's actually probably loose change for just one of their forwards or one of their defenders who let my country down in the Euros in the way they played."
One English footie yob has already been banned from football matches for five years after cops spotted pictures of him lobbing chairs at Euro 2016.
Daniel Warlow, 24, admitted clashing with Russia fans in Marseille.
He was arrested at his home in Tipton and admitted to officers the picture was of him.
Warlow did not contest the ban applied for by West Midlands Police at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
Lee Phillips, 23, from Taunton, Somerset, was jailed for a month for his role in the violence.
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