FA investigating alleged 'violent treatment' of fans during the win against Greece in Athens; FSA statement: "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."
Thursday 14 November 2024 23:54, UK
The FA and the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) are investigating reports that some England fans were tear gassed and allegedly subjected to violent treatment as they tried to get into the Olympic Stadium in Athens during Wednesday's Nations League match.
Some supporters have accused the Greek riot police of being unnecessarily heavy handed, as fans queued to get through the turnstiles.
Around 3,000 England fans had tickets for the game, but many were not inside the stadium by kick-off, with some fans telling Sky Sports News they were pushed back by riot shields when they had nowhere to go.
The FA said: "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 FSA said in a 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 [email protected] with your experiences, we will work with the FA and we will raise with @FansEurope 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."
England avenged their Greek oddity at Wembley by seizing control of automatic promotion hopes from Group B2 in the Nations League with a 3-0 victory in Athens capped by a superb Curtis Jones back-heeled finish.
Provided Lee Carsley ends his spell as interim boss with a victory of any kind against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, new manager Thomas Tuchel will avoid beginning his reign next March with a play-off, but instead the fresh slate of a set of World Cup Qualifiers.
The Three Lions, who were beaten at home by Greece last month, got off to the perfect start as Ollie Watkins justified his selection with a close-range finish after excellent play involving Noni Madueke and Jude Bellingham down the right flank (7).
England, who were hampered by nine withdrawals since Carsley named his squad for his final camp, absorbed a period of pressure to find the goals they needed to take control of the group as Bellingham's marauding run and shot struck the post before ricocheting over the line via the back of the hapless goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
It moved England above Greece by virtue of a superior head-to-head - but Jones' audacious flick from substitute Morgan Gibbs-White's cross put the seal on a hugely impressive victory in hostile surroundings. Provided England match - or better - Greece's result in the final round of fixtures, they will be promoted to League A.
