"They are an embarrassment to the team"
The FA have condemned the behaviour of England fans in Portugal after they clashed with police on Wednesday night ahead of the team's UEFA Nations League semi-final with the Netherlands.
Bottles were thrown at Portugal fans as they watched their side beat Switzerland 3-1 thanks for a hat-trick from captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The FA have labelled this aggressive behaviour "an embarrassment" while a UK police chief has said it is "completely unacceptable."
The FA have released a statement, saying it "strongly condemns the scenes witnessed in Porto overnight."
"Anyone responsible for these disturbances cannot be seen as true England supporters and are not welcome in football. They are an embarrassment to the team and the thousands of well-behaved fans who follow England in the right way."
The Football Supporter's Association also "unreservedly condemned the anti-social behaviour and violent disorder".
Chief executive Kevin Miles said: "This is exactly the type of incident that Football Banning Orders (FBO) were made for and we're sure the authorities will be seeking to identify perpetrators.
"While the UK police don't have powers of arrest in Portugal they can retrospectively apply for FBOs which stop these people getting into UK stadiums or following England away.
"The most galling aspect of these incidents - which most England fans didn't witness, let alone condone - is that the rest of us will all suffer as a consequence of the reputation perpetuated by this minority of idiots."
This is not the first time England fans have caused trouble when travelling abroad - Euro 2016 was a particular low point as fans clashed with Russian fans in Marseille ahead of their opening group stage match.
Last week, the FA launched their 'don't be that idiot' campaign, warning fans against engaging in anti-social behaviour.
https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/fa-condemn- ... gal-234164
FA condemn England fans' behaviour in Portugal ahead of Nations League clash with the Netherlands
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FA condemn England fans' behaviour in Portugal ahead of Nations League clash with the Netherlands
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
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- Posts: 35789
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
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Re: FA condemn England fans' behaviour in Portugal ahead of Nations League clash with the Netherlands
They're a disgrace to our country never mind football! ![😡](//cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/twitter/twemoji@latest/assets/svg/1f621.svg)
Meanwhile Wigan RL fans in Barcelona had no bother with the police or fans of other clubs!!
Meanwhile Wigan RL fans in Barcelona had no bother with the police or fans of other clubs!!
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Re: FA condemn England fans' behaviour in Portugal ahead of Nations League clash with the Netherlands
All this on the day we are commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of thousands of young men, who landed in Europe for a different purpose.