Hundreds of German police subdue 'hooligans' in training exercise for Euro 2024
STÜTZERBACH, Germany (AP) — An idyllic springtime morning in the sleepy village of Stützerbach was disturbed Tuesday with hundreds of German police taking on “soccer hooligans” in preparation for the European Championship.
Birds were chirping and golden sunshine was starting to warm a new day when a train of trouble arrived to shatter the peaceful scene at the village train station.
Some 200 trainee police officers were on board to play the role of violent soccer fans. They were met by local state police, who quickly called hundreds of federal police to assist as the situation was simulated toward getting out of hand.
The train’s walls shook as the “hooligans” rampaged inside, singing, chanting and cheering. They burst out of the train when the federal police arrived, setting off loud pyrotechnics that sent clouds of red and white smoke up to the clear blue sky.