Germany is ramping up security ahead of the start of Euro 2024, with England's tie against Serbia seen by police as high risk. The heightened security in Gelsenkirchen for England's opening group game on Sunday means fans will be served lower alcohol beer in the stadium and will not be able to drink in the stands. Policing will be more challenging as UEFA has asked for barriers to be removed and both sides will be seated close together, with two-thirds of tickets going to mixed areas.
'We currently have approximately 2,000 people on the banning order which basically means they can't travel to tournaments and they can't go into football stadiums,' explains Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from UK Football Policing. 'Over 2,000 troublemakers away from football has made it a much safer place. When you play that out over the last eight to ten years the behaviour of football fans has been far, far better.