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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matthew Dresch

Scotland football fans splash naked and sing in the rain in London-wide party

Scottish football fans gave bystanders an eyeful as they stripped off in the capital today ahead of their nation's match against England.

Most of the supporters who gathered in London before the EURO 2020 game were well-behaved, but some got carried away and displayed shocking behaviour.

One man was filmed 'doing the worm' in a kilt on the tube, revealing his bottom and genitalia, while another took off all his clothes in Hyde Park.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a 25-year-old man had been arrested for indecent exposure in the park and was taken into police custody, before being cautioned and released.

Meanwhile, a Scotland fan was also seen being knocked down by a motorbike while stumbling across a road in the capital, although he managed to get to his feet and walk away.

Scottish fans stripped off in the capital ahead of the match (Avalon All rights reserved.)

Despite this, the vast majority of fans seemed to be on their best behaviour, although social distancing rules appeared to be generally ignored.

Thousands of Scottish fans flocked to Leicester Square, where they wore their country's shirts, kilts, waved flags and set off blue smoke bombs while chanting, singing and playing the bagpipes.

England fans were also seen nearby wearing their team's shirt and draped in England flags.

Others were seen climbing into the fountain of William Shakespeare in the square and splashing around in the water while others climbed on top of the statue and put a cone on the playwright's head.

Others rolled around in the mud and threw paper cups up into the air.

Dozens of police were seen lining the outside of the crowds and keeping an eye on the fans. Shortly before 6.30pm, they disappeared from the centre to find a spot to watch their team.

Some supporters began gathering at the ticketed fan zone in Trafalgar Square.

The area has been set up in a socially-distanced way for 750 key workers, with two large screens either side of Nelson's Column.

People draped in their country's flags outside the fan zone sang and chanted in what one fan described as an "electric" atmosphere.

Inside, England supporter Jamie Powell predicted a one nil win for the Three Lions but said whatever the result it will be an "enjoyable night".

One fan stumbled across a road and was knocked down by a motorcyclist (dailyrecord.co.uk/)

The 24-year-old sales representative from London said: "The atmosphere on the way here was electric. Everyone was singing.

"It was really positive vibes. You see both sets of fans singing. It'll just be quite an enjoyable night for everyone.

"Even though it's a big game I don't think it matters with the England/Scotland rivalry, it's going be a good one."

Crowds packed into Leicester Square ahead of the match and appeared to ignore social distancing rules (Phil Harris)

Police officer and fellow England fan Marni Oldfield, 23 and from London, said: "It's nice to be out and to be able to watch it here (in the fan zone) like this."

Tonight's much-anticipated match, which started at 8pm, is the 115th in international football's oldest rivalry.

It is the first time the two sides have met in a major tournament since Euro 96, when Paul Gascoigne's famous goal sealed a 2-0 win.

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