Wild tackle on Magpies star sparks brawl

ENGLAND AND SPAIN U21 PLAYERS CLASH

- By ROSS GREGORY Head of sport [e-mail]

A MASSIVE brawl broke out between England and Spain’s under-21 players following their heated European Championship quarter-final match.

Multiple skirmishes erupted on the pitch after the final whistle, with England emerging as 3-1 victors to secure a semi-final clash against the Netherlands.

The situation escalated in Trnava, Slovakia, as Spanish frustration clashed with English jubilation. Coaches from both sides had to intervene to separate the players, with match officials also stepping in.

Spain’s Rafa Marin was shown the red card after the game ended, while England’s goalscorer James McAtee received a yellow card.

The catalyst for the brawl appeared to be a wild challenge on Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento in the dying seconds.

As Livramento ran the clock down and went to clear the ball a high tackle came in from a Spanish attacker which was fortunate not to properly connect with the Magpies man.

The final whistle seconds later saw a huge scuffle erupt. Harvey Elliott was grabbed by the throat by Spain's reserve goalkeeper, Livramento was at the centre of things as he began celebrating in front of the Spaniards while McAtee was surrounded by furious opponents.