England fans criticise heavy handed Greek police who ‘used riot shields and tear gas’

England fans criticise heavy handed Greek police who allegedly used riot shields and tear gas at Thursday night’s Nations League fixture.

The FA have released a statement saying that it was aware of reports that some England fans had had a difficult experience outside the ground.

These reports just after the game had finished at the Olympic Stadium, and quite a number of England fans had reason to complain about what they felt was some heavy handed policing.

Sky Sports report it is as though the Greece police decided that they wanted to move a big chunk of England fans who were queuing to get into a particular turnstile to go in through a different entrance.

“There were about 3,500 England fans who were at this game in total, but it sounds like the, Athens police used their riot shields and tear gas some England fans as they tried to shift that queue to another location.

“A lot of England fans felt that it was unnecessarily heavy handed. No direct injuries, I think, for for any of the England fans that were there, but plenty of complaints.

“The FA and the Football Supporters Association who liaison are in charge of England’s fans abroad, I think you have to say, are both investigating.

“They will probably make further complaints and give more detail as the day progresses.

“But a number of England fans are unhappy with the way they were policed out in Athens.”

Some Greece fans also shone laser pens in the faces of England players during the game.

Absolute carnage pic.twitter.com/3haurFoesD

— Connor Wakefield (@Wakefield__) November 14, 2024

England fans queueing in orderly manner @ 21:10 with only one person on each side of entrance scanning tickets, for no reason the police with gas masks on starting pushing and shoving everyone across ith shields whilst also I guess spraying pepper spray which I managed 2 avoid. pic.twitter.com/6NXlCiIlxR

— Gary Bischoff (@gazbishbosh) November 15, 2024

Greek Police vs England fans last night… 🇬🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/mdX4xKFKAw

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) November 15, 2024

Riot Police Tear gassing and twatting any England fan that moved on the way into the ground.

No wonder these cunts stick Chips inside their Kebas pic.twitter.com/n0jKTji3hT

— Jamie Murray (@murray_jamie11) November 14, 2024

Following problems with policing and stewarding ahead of England’s game against Greece in Athens last night, our Free Lions Fans’ Embassy team have issued the following statement:

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.

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.

We’ll say more over the next 24 hours, but in the meantime, if fans can email info@thefsa.org.uk with their experiences, we will work with the FA and we will raise it with Football Supporters Europe and in turn UEFA, who have already been made aware.

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.

We keep trying. Safe travels home all and thanks in advance.

The FA and the Football Supporters Association are investigating reports of England fans being tear gassed and violently treated while trying to enter the Olympic Stadium in Athens last night. pic.twitter.com/6eIYvbfKKB

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 15, 2024

“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.

A witness said to talkSPORT: “Incredulous how bad the organisation has been tonight.

“Our tickets not checked at second perimeter and could have photocopied them to get through first.

“Exit gate opened as tensions grew and game kicked off. Shambolic. UEFA need calling out on this s*** guys.”

Meanwhile the Football Supporters’ Association have been extremely critical of local police.

They said: “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,” the FSA said.

England fans criticise heavy handed Greek police who ‘used riot shields and tear gas’…

@bloomytunes: It was disgusting, they’re lucky to have avoided a disaster. Got to the ground 90 mins before KO and got in 15 mins in, ridiculous. We decided to leave on 65 mins to avoid being a sitting duck at FT.

@ChrisJCooper92: An absolute disgrace tonight. England stewards sound bit behaviour from
local police shameful. Tear gassed for no other reason than a crush occurring from their own horrendous planning.

@greenerzzz: Absolutely disgusting behaviour from Greek authorities, getting battered into place like Cattle even an hour before the game. Not to mention only 4 turnstiles to get in

@LondonPhillie: There was a big queue outside, it wasnt moving. People were getting restless, asking what the wait was, sometimes in less polite terms. When the metal fences started jangling, the riot shields and some spray came out. I presume it was tear gas, I wasnt near but it still felt grim

@KevSherwood1066: Tear gas. In Athens. When Greek organisation quickly breaks down. Surely not. Even Brighton fans who have only had one European sojourn know that’s the norm.

@MarkofGrove: Absolutely no reason whatsoever for the Greek police to handle us the way they did. There was no bother at any point, but kettled us, then pulled the tear gas and pepper spray out. Completely unnecessary. But unfortunately you come to expect it following england.

@Supermac71: Fucking disgrace getting to the Stadium. Police went mental tear gassed & battered England fans.Wife fell over barrier trying to get outof way. Deliberate policy by the Greek police. @England @henrywinter #England #Greece @WeAreTheFSA

@jamie_castle96: Trying to filter over 2,000 England fans (who had turned up 90-120 mins before the game), through only three open gates (even before we got to the turnstiles!!) was a nightmare waiting to happen. Could’ve been seriously worse than it was with all the pushing and shoving towards a metal fence.

@charlottej1904: The Greek police are an absolute disgrace tear gassing innocent people trying to queue but as always, England fans will get the blame 🥱

@Tommy_Oldham1: Very poor organisation and absolute Shambles both getting in and then getting to the second turnstile a very chilled out good atmosphere from England fans this was down to the police and stadium management poor organisation having two people and one gate open to let people in.