Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Europa League Final: Police Urge Fans to Stay Home Without Tickets
Ahead of the upcoming Europa League final, the head of English football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, is strongly advising Tottenham and Manchester United supporters without tickets not to journey to Bilbao. Concerns are mounting about the potential influx of ticketless fans, and authorities are keen to avoid a repeat of the disturbances witnessed at previous Champions League finals.
Concerns Over Influx of Ticketless Fans
Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of fans without valid tickets may travel to the city. Chief Constable Roberts emphasized that UEFA, local organizers, and the police share a “real desire” to ensure the event is successful for genuine supporters, learning from the challenges faced at recent Champions League finals in Paris and Istanbul.
Advice for Supporters
- Stay Home: “We’d really encourage fans without tickets not to travel,” Roberts stated.
- Limited Access: He highlighted the challenges of accessing the stadium area and the scarcity of affordable accommodation.
- Alternative Viewing Options: Roberts suggested fans would be better off watching the game at designated venues in Manchester and London.
Potential Fan Numbers and Ticket Allocations
Roberts acknowledged that fears of as many as 80,000 English fans descending on the city were “not unreasonable.” Despite official allocations being capped at 14,700 per club, the 53,000-capacity stadium is expected to be filled with Tottenham and United fans. “There will be plenty of people out to get there and British people tend to be very good at acquiring tickets for any sporting event,” he added.
Commitment to a Successful Final
“There’s a real desire on behalf of everyone, and particularly UEFA, to have a very successful final,” Roberts affirmed.
Lessons Learned from Past Events
Roberts pointed to the issues encountered by Liverpool fans in Paris and the logistical challenges faced by Manchester City fans in Istanbul. He stressed the determination to ensure the Bilbao final proceeds smoothly, with meticulous planning in place.
UEFA’s Stance on Ticket Resales
UEFA has cautioned that tickets acquired through unofficial secondary markets will not be valid for entry to the stadium. Resale sites are offering tickets for upwards of £400, but UEFA will only recognize tickets purchased directly through its official “mobile tickets app,” which allows for ticket transfers between individuals. The organization has also warned ticketless fans against traveling to the stadium and has already cancelled some tickets, with further cancellations anticipated.
Collaboration and Safety Measures
Roberts highlighted the strong working relationship between English and Basque police forces, emphasizing their shared approach to policing, which prioritizes fan engagement and de-escalation strategies. He noted a visit by Basque officers to Wembley, which resulted in the implementation of additional safety measures around the perimeter of the San Mamés stadium.
Promoting a Positive Experience
“We want everyone to go to Bilbao and have a great time first and foremost – it’s a big event people should enjoy it,” Roberts said, adding that English fans are proving their reputation as troublemakers is a thing of the past.
Addressing Stereotypes
“We still go to some venues where people’s automatic reaction to an English team is: ‘Hooligans,'” he acknowledged. “We have to then respond that it’s an old image, that we don’t generally see people traveling with the intent to cause violence.”
Focus on Proportionality
Roberts clarified that while incidents do occur, they often involve antisocial behavior linked to excessive alcohol consumption rather than organized violence. He contrasted this with the actions of hooligan groups from other countries who are intent on causing serious harm.
Long-Term Goal
“The more big events we can get without issue it makes it easier to reassure police forces around Europe that treat the England well because generally they’re going to come and spend more money than most and they’re not going to cause you the sort of serious issues that a lot of other fan groups cause.”