Italy became the European football champions after a gap of 53 years by defeating hosts England in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Euro 2020 final at the historic Wembley stadium here.
While the world was rejoicing Italy's feat, it didn't go well with England fans who were furious at their favourite team's loss. Violence gripped the streets of London as England fans attacked Italian fans.
Some England fans attacked Italian fans physically, verbally, and racially. From vandalism to violence, from hooliganism to racism, angry England fans indulged in toxic behaviour.
Various photos and videos emerged on the internet wherein England fans can be seen creating a ruckus, beating up Asians and Africans, and vandalising the streets.
Earlier in the day, thousands of fans without tickets descended on Wembley Stadium, some scrambling up trees and traffic lights to fly the England flag. There were chaotic scenes as security staff and police scuffled with hundreds who tried to storm barriers and enter the stadium.
Wembley officials initially insisted no one without tickets had got inside, but London's Metropolitan Police said "a small number" of ticketless fans had entered the 90,000-seat stadium, where capacity was supposed to be limited to a pandemic-restricted 67,000.
Bottles were thrown as fans left Wembley after the game, and police in riot gear stood by. Some fans in London's Trafalgar Square lashed out after the defeat by kicking fences, smashing bottles, overturning garbage bins and fighting with one another.
The Metropolitan Police said 45 people had been arrested across London throughout the day.
Have a look.
Supporters trample on barricades outside Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021, during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy. | PTI
An Italian flag is burned as England fans gather in central London ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between England and Italy on July 11, 2021. | AFP
