From a footballing perspective, Euro 2024 has been a tremendous success with goals and drama in abundance.
However, violence among fans has been a concern throughout, and this video, which highlights a clash between Sunderland and Newcastle fans, is yet another example to add to the long list of incidents.
Many of which, unfortunately, have included, in some capacity at least, English fans.
Sunderland and Newcastle fans clash in Germany
Video shows fight between Sunderland and Newcastle fans
Newcastle vs Sunderland in Frankfurt. pic.twitter.com/ArkZtpCv49
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) June 21, 2024
Disappointingly, English fans fighting abroad is no longer seen as a surprise and across Europe, the fanbase is not held in high regard for the most part. At almost every major international tournament, Three Lions supporters are often highlighted as one of the potential troublemakers at the event.
However, over the years, the vast majority of incidents involving English supporters have usually shared one common denominator – they often occur against fans of other nations.
Not this time.
The above footage depicts a brawl between a group of Sunderland and Newcastle fans in Germany. If you are unaware, these two sides share arguably the most fierce rivalry in England and it appears as though their love for the national team does not outweigh their hatred of each other.
Sunderland vs Newcastle: A violent rivalry
Tribalism and rivalry among supporters is one of the core fundamentals of football and without it, the sport loses a certain spark that appeals to us all.
Portsmouth vs Southampton, Arsenal vs Tottenham, West Ham vs Millwall – the list of derbies in this country is almost endless and they make for some of the best matches every season.
But, the downside of these fixtures, some more so than others, is that they can lead to violence among fans – something the Tyne-Wear derby has been guilty of on more than one occasion.
In fact as recently as January 2024, when the two clubs met in the FA Cup, police officials were forced to issue strong warnings ahead of the tie in regard to possible violence.
Peace is a rarity between the two fanbases, and that unfortunately has been the case once more at Euro 2024.