England Fans to be charged with Euro riot

10 years after they were told they will not be prosecuted, Portuguese authorities now order fans to return to stand trial.

12:09 30 June 2014

In 2004, over three dozen England fans were arrested on the Algarve coast following several nights of violent clashes during the Euro 2004 championship. Most, which were detained and subsequently deported, were told by Metropolitan Police that they would face no further action. 

 

However, it has now emerged that Portuguese authorities are ordering fans to return to their country to stand trial. The prosecution case involves an accusation that fans attacked police and one police officer needed stitches to a foot injury. 

 

One of the suspects, Lewis Andrews from Oxfordshire, confirmed that police officers told his parents that they had letter from Portugal for him. Mr Andrews said: "Why are they suddenly bringing this up again after all this time? What do they hope to achieve?

 

"I was just walking home when I was jumped on by the police and beaten with batons. They were just rounding up anybody in an England shirt."

 

Bruno Min, from Fair Trials International, said: "Our advice to these men is consult a Portuguese lawyer and try to find out why there has been such a delay. It is a surprise, but a hearing could be held in their absence and the authorities could possibly ask for extradition."