GERMAN police are bracing themselves for violence at England’s Euro 2024 opener after claims that up to 500 Serbian hooligans could descend on the game.
This Sunday’s clash, where 40,000 Three Lions supporters and up to 8,000 from Serbia are expected to attend, has been branded one of four “high-risk” ties by UEFA.
It follows fears of an onslaught from Serbian ultras, including one notorious thug known as “Ivan the Terrible” and “the Beast of Genoa”.
Heavily-tattooed Ivan Bogdanov – who has been linked to far-Right paramilitaries – was jailed for starting a riot during a 2012 Euro qualifier, which led to the game being abandoned.
On that fateful night back in 2010, he was pictured sitting on a fence that separated Serbian supporters from their Italian hosts at the Genoa Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris stadium.
Brazen Bogdanov, who wore a balaclava, had a pair of wire cutters in one hand, which had been used to slice open the barrier, and a flare in another.
The game had to be abandoned after just six minutes due to Serbian thugs lobbing flares and launching fireworks both onto the pitch and towards Italian fans.
At the time, The Guardian reported that Bogdanov “kept urging other fans to take part in the violent act” and “did not seem to fear the police or care for the consequences”.
The match had already been delayed by 40 minutes due to violent clashes with Italian police and later officials confirmed 17 arrests were made – all but one was Serbian.
Bogdanov, who was among them, spent nearly three years between Italian and Serbian jails for his involvement in the violence, which injured 17, and other crimes.
A few months after the clash, he said: “That evening, the Serbian national team needed to be punished because they hadn’t been up to par for too long.
“It had nothing to do with the game, it was a matter of attitude and respect towards people. I apologize to Genoa, I have nothing against Italy. If I don’t like something I say so.”
‘Threatened keeper’
In court, it was revealed Bogdanov and pals arrived in Genoa three days before the Italy game as part of the long-prepared plans to cause chaos.
On matchday, a group of Serbia fans attacked the team bus and it was reported that Bogdanov was among a group who managed to get inside the vehicle.
They claimed he “confronted the goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic”, who had moved from Bogdanov local team Red Star Belgrade – also known as FK Crvena Zvezda – to their bitter rivals Partizans.
The footballer later refused to play due to “receiving threats from fans” on the bus and outside the team’s hotel. Some outlets claimed he was “hit by a firework” too.
Furious Italy coach Cesare Prandelli didn’t hold back and laid the blame squarely on Serbian ultras.
He said: “We are extremely sad and very bitter, I’ve never experienced anything like this. The [Serbian] players have been assaulted by their own fans in their bus.
“Their goalkeeper [Vladimir Stojkovic] was in our changing room, he was trembling and had fear not only about tonight but also in view of returning home.
“The ultra fans seemed organised, it appeared as though they would have done everything possible to make sure the game was not played.”
Prandelli said even Serbia players believed getting the game abandoned “was their aim”.
Some speculated that Bogdanov and others may have been paid to cause trouble.
Possible theories included far-Right extremists, who wanted to affect Syria’s attempts to join the EU, being behind it, or someone linked to a plot to overthrow the president of the Serbian football association.
Tomislav Karadzic, the Serbian FA president, said he was ashamed but not surprised by the actions of crazed supporters due to “indications this would happen”.
He continued: “These fans are just the executors, it was planned in Belgrade.
“This has brought embarrassment and shame on our country. We had problems during training, before the match, and now this – the state must react.”
Sanda Raskovic-Ivic, Serbia’s ambassador to Italy, described the scenes as “a disgrace, a nightmare” and “all… Serbians are ashamed”.
Projectiles, flares & brawls
Shortly after Bogdanov’s release in 2014, he was back in the stands supporting his club Red Star.
During the club’s Europa League qualifier against Chornomorets Odessa, a small riot broke out.
Ukrainian police got the situation under control but online Serbia fans, who had watched TV coverage of the game, fumed over spotting Bogdanov in the crowd.
The Guardian reported that on one of Serbia’s top websites, the most popular comment was: “How on earth did he get to Ukraine?”
Later that year, more violence broke out at another football match attended by Bogdanov – this time, it was Serbia and Albania’s qualifier for Euro 2016.
The game was abandoned shortly after half-time because of a spate of violence – from both Serbian and Albanian fans.
Supporters had invaded the pitch and one Albanian footballer had been hit with a plastic chair. Additionally, flares and missiles were thrown from the stands.
Chilling threat
Serbian hooligans continue to be known as some of the most violent football fans in the world after a spate of violence.
This week, The Sun reported that ultras from the country have their sights set on English and German nationals.
Many of the violent thugs are believed to be part of the far-Right and pro-Russian ‘Delije’ – or ‘Strongmen’ – Red Star Belgrade fan groups, but they are not the only ones.
Back in 2013, die-hard fans of a third-tier Serbian side snuck into the club’s stadium after a match, dug a grave and placed a crucifix next to it.
In a thinly veiled threat, a note beside the chilling display read: “Second division or this.”
One Serbian ultra told a 2016 Vice TV documentary: “We are [the] black sheep of the society. Real rebellious… We don’t like mainstream in any form.”
A year later, during a match between Bogdanov’s club Red Star and their rivals Partizan Belgrade, a series of brawls broke out.
In shocking pictures, riot police were photographed taking hooligans out of the stadium – many bleeding from the head and one with an extremely bruised and swollen face.
It’s believed many of the thugs who engage in this club-level violence are the troublemakers behind problems at international events.
The latest spate of violence from Serbia fans occurred during the 2018 World Cup when they were seen brawling Brazil fan rivals.
In photos, a Serbian supporter could be seen punching one fan in the face before a fist hammered was down onto his head.
Before the violence kicked off, Serbian supporters had been chanting: “Kill the Albanians”.
It’s unclear whether Bogdanov will be in attendance for this year’s Euros but, as with all international events, police will be on guard.
They will deploy up to 1,3000 officers to stadiums and there will also be extra surveillance at fan zones and in the city centre.
British police ‘spotters’ and plain-clothed officers will be on hand to help during England matches.
A UK law enforcement source told the i that there “is particular concern about the Serbia game” but Germany is well-equipped to deal with problematic supporters.
“If you were going to hold this tournament at this time anywhere apart from the UK, then you would choose Germany,” they told the newspaper.
“They have a lot of experience at this kind of thing and they are putting in place a comprehensive system.
“But it’s a complex picture and unfortunately England fans are still regarded as fair game, or even desirable targets, by opposing hooligan groupings.”
