The German Football Association says Munich pubs ‘have to restock their beer reserves’ following England’s visit to the Bavarian capital this week.
But the DfB has warmly praised Three Lions’ fans for their good behaviour and bonhomie, following the Nations League match with Germany, in an email to English fan groups.
There were fears of trouble before the game with manager Gareth Southgate asking supporters not to ’embarrass’ England in Munich, where his team played Germany, earning a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
England fans have been praised for their behaviour at the Nations League match in Germany
England fans put up flags in Frauenplatz square in Munich ahead of the match
While 3,466 supporters had tickets for England’s section of the magnificent Allianz Arena, hundreds were believed to have secured a seat among German supporters and many more travelled to the city to soak up the atmosphere.
Concern was heightened because the anniversary of D-Day fell on Monday, but out of more than 5,000 travelling supporters, German police made only 17 arrests during three days of partying, and the match itself passed off more peacefully than a Bayern Munich home game.
There was the odd incident, but also evidence that England’s away support policed itself, conscious that the spotlight is firmly on the nation after the apocalyptic scenes at Wembley in July ahead of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
‘Thank you very much for the good exchange and the good cooperation,’ said Sebastian Schmidt, of the German FA in an email to the Football Supporters’ Association, which represents fans across the country.
The match finished 1-1 with England captain Harry Kane (pictured) scoring a late penalty to bring the two teams level
‘There were a few uncertainties and fears before the match,’ added the DfB’s Fan Affairs Team Leader. ‘But all in all, the English fans showed a very good visiting card in Munich. Now the Munich pubs will have to restock their beer reserves.’
The recognition of good behaviour is a timely boost for England, who play Italy in the Nations League tonight, behind closed doors at Molineux.
Fans are banned in punishment for the events at the Euro 2020 final against the same opposition when ticketless yobs forced their way through security barriers and into the stadium, and clashed with police and stewards on a shameful night.
In Munich, there were some reports of the embarrassing behaviour Southgate was desperate to avoid.
Some bars in the city closed early after reports of incidents getting out of hand among some supporters.
England manager Gareth Southgate asked England fans to behave well in Germany
Police officers keep a watch on England football fans gathered outside Kilians Irish Pub in Frauenplatz square in Munich
Three England fans arrested for allegedly making Nazi salutes, an action which is against the law in Germany, and a video emerged showing one group of England fans singing ’10 German Bombers’.
But thankfully, they were in the minority and most did the country proud. In one incident an England fan stole a match ticket from a German supporter, only to be apprehended by other Three Lions’ supporters. The ticket was returned and the offender arrested.
‘There seems to be a ready appetite to pass judgment and comment on the very small minority of football fans whose behaviour causes problems,’ Kevin Miles, the chief executive of the FSA, who follows England home and away, told Sportsmail.
‘Against that background it is encouraging and refreshing to see a recognition – particularly from arch-rivals – of the positive impact that is actually the norm for the big majority of English football supporters.’
England fans Lewis Kenyon (left), 22, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, and Adam Carr, 21, from Liverpool in Marienplatz in Munich. Fans ensured the match went off peacefully
Some England football fans gathered outside Kilians Irish Pub in Frauenplatz square. There’s no suggestion the people pictured are guilty of any wrongdoing
While some supporters like to gather in bars and squares to drink, stand and sing, most enjoy the pubs and restaurants of the host city and when well behaved, all England fans bring a welcome economic boost, wherever they go.
Three Lions’ supporters in Munich told Sportsmail the overwhelming majority of fans want to ‘fix’ their ‘pretty poor reputation’ internationally.
And they said England fans had turned on troublemakers in an effort to clean up their image at international matches, including condemning offensive chanting.
Adam Carr, a 21-year-old England fan who supports his hometown team Liverpool, said: ‘I noticed people were chanting the songs we’re not supposed to chant about Germany, and instantly they were told by other England fans to shut up.
‘It feels like everyone knows the spotlight’s on us, especially after the Euros. Everyone’s just trying extra hard. In the past with England away days there was a lot of trouble.
‘For the younger generation we want to be able to go to cities and go into places and people greet us with a friendly face rather than being ”Oh god, it’s the English”. That’s what we don’t want any more.’
Before the game Southgate appealed to fans to behave well and not cause trouble.
‘You are embarrassed when you hear about it, because you know it’s a representation of your country,’ he told a press conference. ‘I think we can only give the correct messages, it’s then you’ve got to rely on people behaving themselves.’
