Share

High security for England-Croatia semi - in Spain!

Madrid - Spanish authorities said on Wednesday they were bringing in police backup to the party resort of Benidorm ahead of the Soccer World Cup semi-final pitting England against Croatia, after English fans caused havoc in previous games. 

"We've asked for extra police forces to come from other regions," Juan Carlos Fulgencio, the central government's representative in the Spanish region of Valencia where Benidorm is located, said in comments emailed. 

A fishing village decades ago, Benidorm today is a mass of skyscrapers, fast-food outlets, bars and nightclubs where thousands of tourists - many of them British - come on cheap package holidays. 

Spanish media showed footage of unruly behaviour by Britons during England games. 

In one video broadcast at the end of June on several Spanish television channels, one man is seen throwing himself onto a car, breaking its front window. 

On Saturday, when England beat Sweden to reach the semi-finals, riot police were called into the seaside city to contain some rowdy supporters.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE