Euro 2016: Football fans face 24-hour alcohol ban ahead of England-Wales clash
French Police have issued an alcohol ban from 6am to 6am during all Euro 2016 games taking place in the small northern city of Lens
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Your support makes all the difference.Football fans attending England’s match against Wales at Euro 2016 will face a 24-hour town centre drinking ban amid concerns of drunken misconduct.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) confirmed French police have issued an alcohol ban from 6am to 6am during all Euro 2016 games taking place in the small northern city of Lens, including the Group B tie on 16 June.
During the 24-hour period alcohol will be banned in all public areas, including car and coach parks and shuttle buses, according to the NPCC.
The ban is understood to be down to concerns from French police that the city, which has a population of 36,000, could be inundated with football fans during the tournament.
Alcohol will still be severed in bars and cafes.
Between 300,000 and 500,000 British football fans are expected to travel to France for the major tournament.
Police from across the UK will be travelling to France to work with French officers and the UK’s football policing unit have unveiled radical plans to ensure the Euro 2016 matches remain orderly.
Plans have already been implemented to prevent known trouble makers from attending the competition.
Nearly 2000 people across the UK who are subject to football banning orders have been contacted by authorities to surrender their passports by 1 June. All police forces will be running proactive operations for those who don’t comply by this date.
A large scale operation at UK ports will run throughout the tournament across 27 locations with experienced officers on hand to identify and prevent high risk individuals travelling.
Social media will also be monitored by police for evidence of fans misbehaving and ticketless supporters have been urged to stay away from the event, according to the Telegraph.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Football Policing, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “More fans are expected to travel to France than any previous tournament and we are working with the French police for a trouble-free competition.
“There is no excuse for violence, disorder or anti-social behaviour at football matches – troublemakers will be dealt with by French police in line with their laws and can expect a banning order on return to the UK.”
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