Letter from Germany: Reduce alcohol levels, cool down hooliganism

As of now, around 40,000 England fans are expected to arrive in Gelsenkirchen. According to German media, some fans who have not yet secured tickets or even have no intention of buying tickets will still come to Gelsenkirchen to "soak up the atmosphere" of the match.

It is no coincidence that Germany is more concerned about the match between Serbia and England. After all, England fans have a history of causing trouble at major tournaments. Football fans around the world still remember the chaos at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final.

Authorities have decided to halve the alcohol limit at the opening match of Euro 2024 because the match between Serbia and England is fraught with high risks.

Accordingly, England fans will only be allowed to buy low-alcohol beer at the opening match of Euro 2024. The pure Bit-burger Premium beer (4.8% alcohol) usually served inside the Arena AufSchalke stadium in Gelsenkirchen has been replaced with a beer with 2.5% alcohol content. This policy is to minimize potential disturbances and disorder at the match between Serbia and England. More importantly, fans will only be allowed to buy two beers at a time.

German police said there would be around 500 Serbian hooligans in the stands of Gelsenkirchen to watch the Serbia-England match. (Photo: REUTERS)

"It's not just the England-Serbia match that will see the reduced alcohol policy. Fans will also not be allowed to drink alcohol in the city's main square. England fans with cans or bottles of beer in the square will be asked to put them away or they will be confiscated. If they resist, they will be arrested immediately," said a Gelsenkirchen police representative.

The square will be a fan zone for other matches in the city but probably not for England fans. However, fans will be able to drink alcohol in the city's bars and in the England fan zone at the racecourse, police added.

The decision comes as local authorities prepare for an influx of around 500 Serbian hooligans who are expected to attend the England-Serbia match. Serbian football has faced challenges over the rise of far-right nationalist groups. The national stadium was partially closed in November 2023 after racist behaviour by fans during a match against Montenegro. There were also reports of Manchester City supporters being attacked in Belgrade before a Champions League match last year.

Security plans have also been tightened. More than 1,000 police officers have been deployed in a security operation during the matches.

As of June 14, Euro 2024 is not as bustling as before. The atmosphere in Germany is not much different from normal days. Perhaps there are just a few more posters about the most prestigious European tournament for national teams on some streets or public squares in Munich.

In Berlin, we don't even feel the Euro 2024 atmosphere. The German capital is pretty quiet, although there are a few matches here and the tournament will end with the final. Some of my acquaintances say that "West Germans are probably more excited about football than East Germans". That's half-true, half-true because football matches always have a strong attraction for some people.

But there will be no street celebration, cheering, screaming... The audience can gather at a bar, have a few beers, sausages... laugh and discuss while the ball rolls. Then when the referee's whistle blows to end the match, everyone goes home, quietly.

It's not that they don't love football, it's just that their personalities are always like the weather here...

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thu-tu-duc-giam-nong-do-con-ha-nhiet-hooligan-19624061420151944.htm