England and Wales fans violently clash in Tenerife
Several of those involved in the commotion are dressed in football shirts, and fans wearing Welsh bucket hats can be seen standing in the street.
KATHMANDU: Football fans from Wales and England appear to have clashed in Tenerife, with punches and chairs thrown between opposing groups.
On Friday night, a video posted to Twitter with the caption “England v Wales pre-match in Tenerife” shows dozens of men brawling in the street, with chairs thrown and punches and kicks thrown. Several dozens of onlookers can be seen filming the violence.
Several of those involved in the commotion are dressed in football shirts, and fans wearing Welsh bucket hats can be seen standing in the street. It’s unclear when the footage was shot, but it clearly shows the CC Veronicas strip in Playa de las Americas in Tenerife’s south.
Wales and England are both competing in the World Cup in Qatar, but many fans have chosen not to travel to the Middle Eastern country due to strict alcohol regulations, a lack of accommodation, and the cost implications, all of which could detract from their fan experience.
As a result, many people traveled to Tenerife, with an estimated 2,500 Welsh fans flying to the island to support Rob Page’s team at the World Cup.
However, footage circulating online suggests that on Friday night, after Wales lost 2-0 to Iran and England drew 0-0, unsavoury scenes played out on the Spanish streets.
England V Wales pre match in Tenerife. 😂 pic.twitter.com/P7vywK9fZz
— Hauve (@Hauvetime) November 25, 2022
Footage of a particularly unpleasant clash between the two groups of fans was shared on social media, with many supporters, many of whom were dressed in replica football jerseys of their country’s football team, throwing fists and even hurling chairs at one another. The video, which was shot outside the Revolution and Jumping Jacks nightclubs with dance music blasting in the background, shows some fans being knocked clean to the ground after violent punches were thrown.
The rival nations will meet on the football field in Qatar next Tuesday in a high-stakes match to determine Group B qualification. That fight, however, will take place 4,000 miles away from where this one took place.
Wales must defeat England on Tuesday if they are to advance from their group. However, a number of scenarios must favor Wales if they are to advance to the knockout rounds, which you can read about here.
