Armed Police Swarm Southampton Bar After Brawl Breaks Out During Poland vs Portugal Euro Clash
Chaos erupted at Yates Bar on Above Bar Street, Southampton, as a mass brawl broke out during the Euro 2024 Poland vs Portugal match. Armed officers, including two dog units and three public order vans, flooded the scene just after 10pm following violent scenes inside and outside the venue.
Rowdy Fans Spark Violence During Extra Time
The trouble kicked off in the bar as the game went into extra time. Shouts of “F**king Polish” were heard as a large group upstairs began causing mayhem. Witnesses say some of these troublemakers had been “looking for trouble all night,” ruining what was meant to be a quiet evening for other supporters.
Fighting Spills Onto the Streets
Police quickly forced the staff to close Yates Bar early in a bid to calm the chaos. But the violence spilled outside onto East Park Terrace, where a red flare was set off and groups of men rolled around fighting in the road. Glass bottles were smashed and thrown as tensions soared before police swooped in to break up the brawl.
Two officers with dogs stood guard by a nearby bus stop, while others formed a tight cordon around groups of men in tracksuits outside the venue. Despite the heavy police presence, no arrests have been reported yet.
Fans Left Stunned As Police Maintain Heavy Presence
As the match went into penalties, fans who were inside Yates moved over to The Spitfire pub nearby, peering in through the windows to catch the nail-biting finale. Police remain in the area, keeping a close watch on the calm but tense crowd.
