Tension ... England fans come up against Ukrainian police
ENGLAND fans fear they could be targeted by Ukrainian hooligans who have been taunted by Russians dressed as Three Lions supporters.
Some are even refusing to wear their national team's strip amid concerns violence will erupt when Roy Hodgson’s side play the Euro 2012 co-hosts tomorrow.
British cops say they expect a "very tense atmosphere" in Donetsk where Ukraine must secure a victory to reach the quarter-finals - while England just need a draw.
It is feared Ukrainian hooligans could go on the rampage against English fans if their team crashes out.
Tensions could also be inflamed as Russian fans - who were last Tuesday involved in ugly clashes with Polish supporters - have been donning England shirts.
Phil Jones, 56, from London, said: “All the supporters from Russia wearing England tops will spark trouble with the Ukrainians - England fans could be caught up in that.
“I think if Ukraine lose then something will happen.”
The head of the British police contingent at the tournament will meet his Ukrainian counterparts as efforts to ensure fans’ safety escalates.
He has admitted it will be a “challenging operation” to ensure England supporters are “appropriately policed”.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt, of the Association of Chief Police Officers which is leading the 18 British officers in Ukraine, said he has prepared for the possibility of the match being an intense affair.
Mr Holt raised concern about the vast amount of Russians wearing England shirts at Euro 2012.
He said: “It poses a challenge because some Russian fans throughout this tournament haven’t behaved particularly well. said.
“What I don’t want is Russian fans wearing England shirts misbehaving, and then England fans being blamed.
“We always knew that if England end up in the last game of the group stage playing Ukraine and both need something out of the game, it would be a very tense atmosphere."
“This will be the most challenging operation in Ukraine thus far."
And there was a cautious mood at the Golden Lion pub – where Three Lions fans are based – about tomorrow’s match, which will be attended by an estimated 4,000 England supporters.
Tony Hixon, 48, from Southampton, is one fan not displaying his country’s colours at the match.
He said: “There’s an unusual nerve about this game. We don’t know too much about the Ukrainians so we’re just wondering what is going to happen.
“Is there going to be trouble kicking off if we knock them out? I don’t know but that is the feeling.”
Tony is refusing to wear his England shirt as he is travelling alone and wants to “slip into the crowd” after the game for safety.
Warren Panter, 44 - from Northampton but now working in Gibraltar - will also be in neutral colours.
He said: “You don’t know what element of thugs are around the corner. They could be preparing for this game.”
Dan Stevens, from Wimbledon, south-west London, was also concerned.
“Since being here the people have been fantastic", he said. "It’s a great place, but tomorrow it could be a bit different.”
The 24-year-old added: “There could be a select few who are looking to hurt the England fans.”
The last time England played in Ukraine was in a World Cup qualifier in 2009 at Dnipropetrovsk, which was twice delayed because flares were thrown at England players.
British cops say they expect a "very tense atmosphere" in Donetsk where Ukraine must secure a victory to reach the quarter-finals - while England just need a draw.
It is feared Ukrainian hooligans could go on the rampage against English fans if their team crashes out.
Tensions could also be inflamed as Russian fans - who were last Tuesday involved in ugly clashes with Polish supporters - have been donning England shirts.
Phil Jones, 56, from London, said: “All the supporters from Russia wearing England tops will spark trouble with the Ukrainians - England fans could be caught up in that.
“I think if Ukraine lose then something will happen.”
The head of the British police contingent at the tournament will meet his Ukrainian counterparts as efforts to ensure fans’ safety escalates.
He has admitted it will be a “challenging operation” to ensure England supporters are “appropriately policed”.
Support ... A Russian boy with a St Georges Flag painted on his face sits atop England supporters
Mr Holt raised concern about the vast amount of Russians wearing England shirts at Euro 2012.
He said: “It poses a challenge because some Russian fans throughout this tournament haven’t behaved particularly well. said.
“What I don’t want is Russian fans wearing England shirts misbehaving, and then England fans being blamed.
“We always knew that if England end up in the last game of the group stage playing Ukraine and both need something out of the game, it would be a very tense atmosphere."
“This will be the most challenging operation in Ukraine thus far."
Clashes
Mr Holt has already warned England fans “watch your backs” after Euro 2012 has been rocked by a series of soccer thug clashes, leaving hundreds in need of medical treatment.And there was a cautious mood at the Golden Lion pub – where Three Lions fans are based – about tomorrow’s match, which will be attended by an estimated 4,000 England supporters.
Tony Hixon, 48, from Southampton, is one fan not displaying his country’s colours at the match.
He said: “There’s an unusual nerve about this game. We don’t know too much about the Ukrainians so we’re just wondering what is going to happen.
“Is there going to be trouble kicking off if we knock them out? I don’t know but that is the feeling.”
Tony is refusing to wear his England shirt as he is travelling alone and wants to “slip into the crowd” after the game for safety.
Clash ... a Russian fan fights with a Polish supporter in Warsaw last Tuesday
He said: “You don’t know what element of thugs are around the corner. They could be preparing for this game.”
Dan Stevens, from Wimbledon, south-west London, was also concerned.
“Since being here the people have been fantastic", he said. "It’s a great place, but tomorrow it could be a bit different.”
The 24-year-old added: “There could be a select few who are looking to hurt the England fans.”
The last time England played in Ukraine was in a World Cup qualifier in 2009 at Dnipropetrovsk, which was twice delayed because flares were thrown at England players.
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