Hundreds of thousands of England supporters are expected to descend into Germany over the next few weeks as the Three Lions look to win their first major trophy since 1966.
England fans have high hopes of ending 58 years of hurt, with Gareth Southgate’s side threatening to lift a trophy at the last three major tournaments.
After a run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, England cruised into the Euro 2020 final before suffering an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Italy at London’s Wembley Stadium. The Three Lions then reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in Qatar.
German authorities believe as many as 500,000 fans from England and Scotland could arrive in Germany this summer and there are major concerns over fan trouble ahead of several group games.
Sunday’s fixture between England and Serbia is deemed ‘high risk’ by German police, who have given a code word to Three Lions supporters who feel unsafe.
England fans in Gelsenkirchen this weekend have been told to say ‘Panama’ to police or any staff working at the tournament if they feel in danger, according to The Telegraph.
The idea is that staff hearing the word – or phrase ‘Wo geht’s nach [Which way to] Panama?’ – will ‘immediately offer the possibility of a place to retreat’ for the supporter, who will then be offered ‘a multilingual, multi-professional team trained in crisis intervention, non-violent communication and de-escalation’.
A similar protocol has been used at Bundesliga games and music festivals at Germany but there are fears it will be insufficient as 500 violence-seeking Serbian hooligans are expected to arrive in the country.
Wilhelm Wessels, Euro 2024 project manager for Gelsenkirchen, said: ‘All of the city’s law enforcement partners, such as the fire brigade, the police and the municipal public order service, as well as the entire Euro staff on the grounds, are familiar with the Panama rules and can react accordingly.’
England fans were involved in altercations during the 2018 World Cup and FA chief Mark Bullingham has urged supporters in Germany to be a ‘tribute to their country’.
‘Over the last few years our England fans have been absolutely brilliant support to us, particularly in the stadium,’ he said this week.
‘There are a lot of people going to come out here. The best thing that the fans can do to help us do well in this tournament is be a tribute to their country.
‘We want them to do that, reminding them that in 2006 we were the fans of the tournament. They were brilliant then.
England’s possible routes to the Euro 2024 final
AS GROUP WINNERS
Round of 16: England vs Austria/Romania/Turkey/Georgia – Sunday, June 30 (Gelsenkirchen)
Quarter-final: England vs Italy – Saturday, July 6 (Dusseldorf)
Semi-final: France vs England – Wednesday, July 10 (Dortmund)
Final: Spain vs England – Sunday, July 14 (Berlin)
AS GROUP RUNNERS-UP
Round of 16: Germany vs England – Saturday, June 29 (Dortmund)
Quarter-final: Spain vs England – Friday, July 5 (Stuttgart)
Semi-final: England vs Netherlands – Tuesday, July 9 (Munich)
Final: England vs France – Sunday, July 14 (Berlin)
‘We’ve got all the environment to do that. The German police have proved they are really good at policing football tournaments so there’s no reason why that shouldn’t be the case again.
‘But really the main message is: get behind the team and support in the right way.’
After facing Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener, England travel to Frankfurt to face Denmark and then head to Cologne for their final group game against Slovenia.
Looking ahead to the Serbia clash, Alan Shearer tipped England to have ‘far too much’ for Dragan Stojkovic’s side and believes the Three Lions will make a strong start to the Euros.
‘I think England should win the game,’ he told Betfair. ‘Serbia have Mitrovic and Vlahovic up front, if they decide to go with those two.
‘I think Mitrovic will definitely play, they will look to rain crosses in because that’s what he wants and demands, and he gets all the goals for them.
‘England should have far too much for them in forward positions so I would say England to win by two or three.
‘Opening games are never easy, a lot of the time they’re always cagey affairs, but I would think England can score two or three and win.’
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