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Dutch police arrest 28 England fans before Netherlands friendly in Amsterdam

View of a canal in the red district in Amsterdam on April 12, 2017
Image: Police say riot police were deployed to downtown Amsterdam

Dutch police have arrested 28 England fans in Amsterdam ahead of the Netherlands v England friendly.

English supporters have been detained for a range of drunken disturbance offences including throwing beer bottles at officers.

Riot police were deployed to the downtown area of the city to deal with the situation, after fans were filmed throwing beer over tourists riding boats along the canals.

Netherlands v England preview
Netherlands v England preview

England travel to the Netherlands on Friday as Gareth Southgate's side step up preparations for the World Cup.

Police confirmed to Sky Sports News the number detained for offences including public disorder had risen from 25 to 28 by early Friday evening.

Police refused to give a total number of their presence due to the ongoing nature of their operation, but admitted there is "a large police presence" in the capital.

There will also be a visible presence at the Amsterdam Arena ahead of kick-off at 20.45 local time.

Sightseeing boats and canal boats demonstrate by blocking the canals of Amsterdam, on June 20, 2016 against the new policy of the municipality to ensure that all 135 boats over 14 meters will be banned from the canals
Image: England fans were seen pouring beer over boat passengers

Around 5,200 England fans have bought tickets through the official channels for the match in the Dutch capital but it is predicted up to double that number will be in the city.

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The arrests come with fears fan trouble could be an issue during this summer's World Cup in Russia - following the clashes which occurred during Euro 2016.

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