Metropolitan Police officers intervened in Piccadilly Circus, London, to protect an Argentina fan from a mob of England supporters following the team's World Cup semi-final defeat. The incident occurred Wednesday night after England lost 2-1 to Argentina.
Video footage showed officers escorting the Argentina supporter, wearing an Argentina jersey, away from an angry crowd. Police shouted for England supporters to stay back as they pushed the crowd away to ensure the fan's safety. Officers drew their truncheons and surrounded the fan to prevent the agitated group from reaching him. Chants of "f*** Messi" and synchronized boos were heard from the England supporters.
Despite the team's loss, some England supporters in Piccadilly Circus appeared to cheer at cameras filming the scene, while others attempted to chase the police van that carried the fan to safety. Officers prevented them from reaching the vehicle.
Clashes also occurred outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, where the match took place. Fights broke out after the final whistle confirmed England's defeat. Police made multiple arrests, with images showing several England fans being detained by armed officers.
Atlanta Police had deployed additional resources around the city, with officers stationed outside bars near the stadium. Argentina and England fans exchanged words, with the Falklands conflict reportedly a topic of discussion. American police officers were seen handcuffing fans from both nations.
Tensions had been heightened inside the stadium earlier when Argentina fans displayed a banner asserting the Falkland Islands belong to South America. The Falklands conflict had been a prominent theme in the lead-up to the semi-final, with rival chants heard in fan zones.
After the match, thousands of fans left the stadium, and some disputes escalated into violence on the surrounding streets. England fans reportedly described the behavior of some Argentina supporters as "absolutely disgusting."