by A football boy suspected of being involved in an attack on Serbian fans on the streets of Gelsenkirchen in Germany was earlier arrested because he had a Nazi symbol painted on his body.
Gordon Thomas, 39, who is now banned from matches, was previously detained by police in 2006 for painting an SS symbol on his back while watching England’s World Cup match against Paraguay.
He was fined €50 and later released but later won £750 compensation for the time he was held by British police and a judge said he did not know the symbol was painted on him at the time .
Following his latest trip to Germany, he was detained at Manchester Airport on Monday evening under the Football Spectators Act 1989 after returning to the UK.
Mr Thomas, from Bolton, appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with being part of the violence in Gelsenkirchen ahead of Sunday’s 1-0 win against Serbia, which was classed as high risk by local police because on concerns about possible troubles.
‘I don’t know what I’m supposed to have done’
The violence escalated on Sunday evening when English thugs accosted Serbian fans sitting outside Hirt’s steak house and started a fight between more than 100 people.
Laura Peers, prosecuting, told the court that police were now seeking a football banning order against Mr Thomas.
“This is not a criminal matter, it is a complaint by the police to impose a football banning order because they say they can provide evidence that you caused or contributed to violence or disorder,” she said.
Mr Thomas, representing himself, told the court he was served with court papers when he arrived at Manchester Airport but was not informed of the evidence against him.
“I don’t know what to do,” he said.
District judge Joanne Hirst adjourned the case so Mr Thomas could seek legal advice but warned him it was a “serious” matter which could see him banned from football for three years.
She granted him conditional bail which means he is not allowed to travel outside England or Wales before his next court appearance on August 23.
The court heard that police had already seized Mr Thomas’ passport.
Trouble flared outside a restaurant in Gelsenkirchen and a video on social media showed tables, chairs and bottles being thrown before riot officers arrived.
German police said a group of Serbian fans were eating inside when a large group of England fans tried to enter. Eight people were detained and one fan was taken to hospital with a head injury.
‘It was a silly prank I knew nothing about’
Mr Thomas was held by German police for four hours after he and a friend were arrested in Frankfurt in June 2006. When he returned to Leeds-Bradford Airport two days later, police detained and was held in a prison cell for 16 hours. before appearing before Leeds court.
That court decided not to ban him from attending football matches and took no further action against him and he was paid £750 in compensation after a judge found he had been detained unlawfully.
At the time he claimed British police had a “heavy hand” and told the Bolton News: “The German police had the right approach to slap us on the wrist and let us go, but when we came back to the airport in England. , dozens of policemen were waiting for us as if we had committed murder.
“It was a silly prank that I didn’t know anything about until I was caught and I thought we were punished enough in Germany.”
He was arrested with a friend after police spotted the symbols while watching England’s match against Paraguay in Frankfurt’s main square.
Leeds court banned his friend who had a Swastika, banned in Germany, on his shoulder and an SS symbol on his back, from attending football matches for 25 months.
Mr Thomas had an SS symbol painted on his back, but a Leeds district judge ruled he could not have known it was there.
‘There are consequences for those who cause disorder’
Police are still investigating Sunday’s disturbance. The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) said an investigative team would review footage of the incident and “if any UK nationals were involved, football banning orders will be sought”.
UKFPU leader Mick Johnson has now confirmed that fans from the UK have been detained.
He said in a statement: “This action shows the extent of the Euro 2024 football policing operation and demonstrates that there are consequences for supporters intent on causing disorder.
“Any UK football supporters causing disorder in Germany which would be considered an offense in this country could face police action on their return.
“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, and where appropriate we will seek football banning orders to prevent perpetrators from attending future international and domestic matches.
“The German police will also take action against those who break the law, which could include heavy fines and custodial sentences. We are working closely with our police colleagues in Germany and have a team of UK officers deployed abroad to support their operation.
“We want fans traveling to Germany to have a good time, but remember to drink responsibly, respect the local culture and don’t put yourself at risk.”
