Fans protest at Euro beer 'rip-off' (From Cotswold Journal)

Fans protest at Euro beer 'rip-off'

4:12pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

England fans at Euro 2012 took over part of the Uefa fan zone in Kiev in response to "rip-off" bar prices and the huge Swedish presence in the city.

They claimed the cost of a pint of beer almost doubled overnight at a bar designated as the base of the official England supporters' club.

Fans were also keen to make themselves seen and heard by the Swedes, who will vastly outnumber the English in the Olympic Stadium on Friday night.

Builder Ian Allsop, 41, from Luton, said: "It was £2.20 for a beer but now it costs £4.10. They are trying to rip us off."

More than 100 supporters moved into the fan zone - directly opposite an area set aside for Sweden fans - where beer costs £1.50.

They hung large England flags from beer tents and serenaded rival fans with a rendition of the national anthem.

Project manager Chris Banks, 24, from Reading, said: "Sweden have got their own bars and restaurants so they all congregate in the same place.

"But England fans are making themselves known. We're loud!"

Travel agent Phil Davis, 34, from Nottingham, said: "They're pretty much everywhere, it's a little part of Sweden but we've set up camp opposite them. It doesn't match up, but it's a decent effort."

Around 20,000 Swedish fans are set to attend the match, compared with 5,000 cheering for England.