[Ramrod]

What a bunch of a*sholes

A violent mob of England supporters besieged a Portuguese-run pub last night after their team's defeat on penalties in Euro 2004.



Police had to escort a group of Portuguese fans, including children, to safety after they were trapped in the Red Lion hotel in Thetford, Norfolk for more than two hours in what officers described as a "terrifying" ordeal.

Witnesses said that a mixed group of supporters watched the game peacefully inside the pub. But within minutes of England's defeat on penalties, a hostile crowd of around 200 people gathered outside and tried to enter the pub, hurling stones and bottles. Portuguese fans inside barricaded the pub doors with tables.

Sergio Queiroz, the pub manager, said: "It was terrible, there was blood everywhere and people were frightened for their lives. These English fans just wanted to attack us because they had lost the match."

Police reinforcements were called in from neighbouring Suffolk and dogs were used to contain the violence. A number of the pub's windows were smashed and the pub manager's car was set on fire.....