Police arrested seven Croatian football hooligans prior to Sunday's match between the Croatian and Icelandic national teams in the World Cup Qualifiers in Reykjavík. Police maintained tight security during the match, with 120 officers standing guard at Laugardalur stadium. Iceland went on to a surprise win in the game 1-0, bringing Iceland one step closer to a seat in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
At least 50 Croatian hooligans came to Iceland
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed in an interview with the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that police arrested the seven hooligans prior to the game to ensure safety of guests at Laugardalsvöllur stadium. Several people were arrested for public intoxication.
According to intelligence shared by Croatian authorities at least 50 known Croatian football fans who have been involved in hooliganism at football matches came to Iceland to support their national team.
Croatian police officers who came to Iceland alongside their national team worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure safety and helped monitor suspected hooligans.
Read more: Armed police patrolled the weekend's events in downtown Reykjavík, sparking criticism
120 Police, 140 ICE-SAR provided security
The local TV station Stöð 2 reports that at least 120 police officers were at the game. The officers from the Metropolitan Police received reinforcements from Akureyri in North Iceland and the Keflavík, as well as 20 armed special forces officers.
A spokesman for the Police told Stöð 2 that the decision to have armed officers at the game was primarily based on the increased risk of terrorist attacks following recent events in Europe.
In addition to the 120 police officers 140 members of ICE-SAR provided security at the game.
Police arrested seven Croatian football hooligans prior to Sunday's match between the Croatian and Icelandic national teams in the World Cup Qualifiers in Reykjavík. Police maintained tight security during the match, with 120 officers standing guard at Laugardalur stadium. Iceland went on to a surprise win in the game 1-0, bringing Iceland one step closer to a seat in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
At least 50 Croatian hooligans came to Iceland
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed in an interview with the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that police arrested the seven hooligans prior to the game to ensure safety of guests at Laugardalsvöllur stadium. Several people were arrested for public intoxication.
According to intelligence shared by Croatian authorities at least 50 known Croatian football fans who have been involved in hooliganism at football matches came to Iceland to support their national team.
Croatian police officers who came to Iceland alongside their national team worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure safety and helped monitor suspected hooligans.
Read more: Armed police patrolled the weekend's events in downtown Reykjavík, sparking criticism
120 Police, 140 ICE-SAR provided security
The local TV station Stöð 2 reports that at least 120 police officers were at the game. The officers from the Metropolitan Police received reinforcements from Akureyri in North Iceland and the Keflavík, as well as 20 armed special forces officers.
A spokesman for the Police told Stöð 2 that the decision to have armed officers at the game was primarily based on the increased risk of terrorist attacks following recent events in Europe.
In addition to the 120 police officers 140 members of ICE-SAR provided security at the game.
