At least 10 people, including nine police officers, sustained minor injuries during clashes with Serbian fans in central Munich before the Euro 2024 group stage match between Denmark and Serbia.
Additionally, a stadium steward was injured in a separate incident.
The match ended in a 0-0 draw late Tuesday, resulting in Denmark eliminating the bottom team and securing second place in Group C, pushing Slovenia to third.
The trouble began around 5 pm on Tuesday at Munich’s Marienplatz square, where officers checked a fan suspected of setting off pyrotechnics.
At that time, over 5,000 Serbian fans were present, and the check incited a “solidarity effect,” leading to bottles and a chair being thrown at the officers. In response, police used pepper spray and batons.
A police spokesperson couldn’t confirm if any fans were injured in the clashes. Fans also set off illegal pyrotechnics near the Marienplatz underground station and inside the stadium.
The steward was hurt while trying to stop a fan from storming the pitch. Several people face charges including breach of the peace, grievous bodily harm, and assaulting police officers.
Seven individuals were taken into custody and are scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on Wednesday.
Around 15,000 spectators gathered in the fan zone at Munich’s Olympiapark during the match, with about 2,000 officers deployed for security.
UEFA, the governing body for European football, has imposed various disciplinary actions on Balkan nations due to nationalist incidents during the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
Similarly, Serbia was fined for displaying a nationalist banner featuring Kosovo and the slogan “No Surrender” during their June 16 game against England.
