England's Euro 2024 opener will be only game affected by one-of-a-kind rule in huge blow to fans
A new rule for fans watching England's clash with Serbia on Sunday (16 June) is set to be hugely unpopular - and it's set to be the only game affected.
If there’s one thing we can guarantee England fans will want to do at the first game of the Euros - it’s drink copious amounts of beer.
But a new rule is being brought in just for the first game, which might make that first Euros beer of the summer just a little underwhelming.
The new rule has been announced after German police intelligence warned that gangs of up to 500 Serbian hooligans could target the first match.
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The security risk rating for Sunday’s clash has been labelled 'high risk', and concern was raised that gangs could clash with boozy England fans.
As a result, football fans have been banned from drinking 4.8 percent strength Bitburger Premium lager in the Veltins-Arena at the game.
Instead, it has been replaced with a weaker alternative, in the form of a German shandy.
And just to rub salt in the wounds, it will only be the England game that this rule is in place for.
Gelsenkirchen police spokesman, Stephan Knipp, told The Sun: “It is just the England game which will have the low-strength beer.
“The other games at the stadium will have 4.8 percent.”
And if the rules weren’t stringent enough already, fans will be subjected to a last-minute booze ban before the kick-off in the city centre.
Knipp added: “Fans are not allowed to drink alcohol in the city’s main square, Heinrich-König-Platz.
“An England fan with a can or bottle of beer in the square will be asked to put it away, or it will be taken away.
“They will not immediately be arrested.”
It seems as though the city is particularly worried about England vs Serbia this weekend, as the same square will be used as a fan zone for all other games.
He explained: “The square will be a fan zone for other games in the city, but not for England.
“Fans can however drink alcohol in the city’s bars and in a fan zone for England fans at the racecourse.”
An estimated 40,000 England fans are expected to travel to Sunday’s game, along with 8,000 Serbs, plus more from Serbian communities in Germany.
Topics: Alcohol, Food And Drink, Football, Sport, Euro 2024
Mia Williams