9 cops injured in clashes ahead of Denmark-Serbia match in Munich

At least 10 people, including nine police officers, were slightly injured in clashes with Serbia fans in central Munich ahead of the Euro 2024 group stage encounter between Denmark and Serbia, police said early Wednesday, reported dpa.

One stadium steward was also injured in a separate incident, it said.

Denmark drew 0-0 with Serbia late Tuesday to eliminate the bottom side and snatch second spot from third-placed Slovenia in Group C.

Officers checked a fan at Munich's Marienplatz square on suspicion of having fired off pyrotechnics at around 5 pm on Tuesday, with more than 5,000 Serbia fans assembled on the square at that point, according to police.

The check triggered a "solidarity effect," police said, and people threw bottles and a chair at the officers.

Police responded by deploying pepper spray and used batons.

A spokesman was unable to say on Wednesday morning whether any fans were injured in the clashes.

Fans also illegally set of pyrotechnics both near the Marienplatz underground station and inside the football stadium, according to police.

The steward was injured when trying to prevent a fan from storming the pitch, according to the statement.

Several people were charged with offences including breach of the peace, grievous bodily harm and assaulting police officers. Seven people were taken into custody. They will be brought before an investigating judge on Wednesday.

According to police, some 15,000 spectators crowded the fanzone inside Munich's Olympiapark before and during the match, with some 2,000 officers deployed.