Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Tenerife police to launch security operation for Wales v England game World Cup clash

28 Nov 2022 2 minute read
Wales fans gathered in front of a big screen in Tenerife (Credit: Nigel Harris)

Police in Tenerife say they will launch a major security operation to prevent any possible violence during the England and Wales game on Tuesday.

Video footage emerged of a brawl outside bars on the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands on Friday evening, with people wearing England and Wales shirts involved.

UK police fear people prevented from travelling to Qatar for the World Cup may have been involved in the incident in Tenerife, but added they have yet to confirm this.

More than 1,300 people subject to football banning orders were forced to hand their UK passports to police in a bid to prevent violent and abusive fans in England and Wales travelling to Qatar.

Those wishing to travel to other countries from November 10 until the end of the tournament have been required to seek permission to hold on to their passports and be subject to checks, according to the Home Office.

A statement issued by the local council said Friday’s fight in the tourist area is under investigation.

Riots

It added the National Police Corps and Local Police of Arona are working together to prevent “possible riots” in the tourist areas of Arona when World Cup matches take place, adding this will include England v Wales.

Chief constable Mark Roberts, the UK’s football policing lead, when asked about the incident, told the PA news agency: “We’re going to have to look at this because we’ve got the football banning order regime that prevents people from travelling.

“There are on occasions exemptions and I think some of the people who got exemptions have gone to Tenerife.

“We can’t say yet they’ve been involved yet or not but we probably do need to think about it.

“Sadly I think the Spanish police are pretty used to dealing with unpleasant drunkenness from holidaying Brits so I don’t think it’s anything out of the ordinary.

“If it hadn’t been World Cup time it would have probably happened and no-one would have batted an eyelid.

“It’s unfortunate but it’s that link again between alcohol and poor behaviour.”

Mr Roberts praised England and Wales fans in Qatar and confirmed there have been no arrests.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dai Rob
Dai Rob
1 year ago

Football fans innit.

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.