England fans detained in Amsterdam after throwing bottles at police during alcohol-fuelled clashes

Twenty-five England fans have been detained by police after they threw beer bottles at officers in Amsterdam city centre during violent clashes ahead of the international friendly against the Netherlands.

Authorities have confirmed that 25 England football supporters were arrested and held overnight following the incident on Thursday night, which occurred in the downtown Amsterdam region where many fans were drinking the day before the match.

Riot police were deployed in order to restore calm, and officials have also confirmed that the individuals were detained for offences that included public disorder.

Around 1,500 England supporters are expected in the Dutch capital this weekend for the Friday night match which takes place at the Amsterdam Arena at 20:45 local time.

Dutch television broadcasters TV5 reported on Friday that police are no longer enforcing the public alcohol ban in the city’s red light district as it is becoming impossible to enforce due to the large number of England fans in the area.

Police have also confirmed that there will be an increased presence at the stadium in order to avoid any more violent clashes with supporters. There is an increased awareness of fans’ behaviour from back in the United Kingdom given the potential for violent scenes at the 2018 World Cup this summer in Russia, given the ugly clashes that were witnessed between English and Russian supporters at the 2016 European Championship in France.