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England supporters could be banned from drinking beer during their Euro 2024 opener next year.
The Three Lions kick off their tournament against Serbia in German city of Gelsenkirchen, and the security officer in charge of the match has pledged to crack down on boozing both inside the stadium and in public areas. He has also warned fans that they'll be sent home if they're caught misbehaving.
Tens of thousands of England fans are expected to make the short trip over to north-west Germany for the tournament opener next summer and many of them are likely to base themselves in Gelsenkirchen due to the fact Gareth Southgate's side could play in Schalke's 62,000-capacity Veltins Arena twice – once on the opening day, and potentially for a second time in the last 16 should they win the group.
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Speaking to The Mirror, Gelsenkirchen's chief of police Peter Both revealed a ban on booze during games is being considered, and that his team are prepared to use water cannons to combat troublemakers. He said: "We’re discussing the possibility of banning alcohol in the stadium and I make no secret of it.
"Through the spectacles of someone responsible for security and in charge of police deployment on that day, I would find it good. We are also currently checking at the moment to what extent we can apply banning alcohol in public places. In principle you’re free to drink alcohol on the street in Germany, but in big areas where fans gather in overfilled spaces we want to forbid it."
Would a booze ban stop you going to the Euros next summer? Let us know in the comments section below.
Beer bans in football are far from unusual in German. While supporters are usually allowed to drink beer in their seats, unlike in England where booze is only permitted in the concourse, bans often come into effect during matches that are considered high risk, such as cup finals or derby games.
Both said he will discuss the possibility of a booze ban with British police officials and FA bosses in the coming weeks before a concrete decision is made. He said he expects between 50,000-80,000 England fans to travel to Gelsenkirchen, even though a fraction of them will have match tickets.
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He added that police officers will be told to consider them as "peaceful", but warned that if they step out of line they will be swiftly dealt with. "It’s important all police in Germany adopt a mindset of seeing the fans as peaceful rather than a threat, but we will react if something happens, and we’re prepared for that.
"You can’t exclude the fact that some will be coming with the intention of causing riots. My message to England fans is we will be prepared. If anyone does try to cause serious trouble we will move quickly and they will be sent home."
Both added that riot police will be on duty alongside dog handlers, and officers on horses. He also that water cannons could be used as "a last resort".
After kicking off their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, England will face Denmark at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt four days later before wrapping up the group stage with a clash with Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on June 25.
If England win the group they'll return to Gelsenkirchen for their round of 16 tie, but if they come second they'll travel to Dortmund's Westfalenstadion.
- England Football Team
- Euro 2024
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