England fans travelling to Dublin this weekend have been warned Irish police will enforce a ban on public drinking as thousands prepare to visit the city for the Uefa Nations League clash.
Garda, the Irish police force, has cancelled all leave for officers ahead of the 5pm fixture on Saturday, according to local reports last week, and Operation Dearóil will use experience of dealing with stag parties to keep order among supporters as the fixture returns to the Irish capital for the first time in nine years.
The English Football Association have published their official “ticket-holder information” for those among the 3,000 travelling to the Aviva Stadium, with the demand many times over the official allocation. Fans were reminded that “drinking is not allowed in the streets or public spaces in Ireland. This will be enforced by local police”.
In the Dublin City Council area it is not allowed to “consume or attempt to consume intoxicating liquor on a road or in a public place within the functional area of the council” and alcohol can be seized by police.
The FA instructions add that “any supporters who are visibly drunk may be refused entry into the stadium by local authorities”.
Thousands of fans are expected to travel without tickets to sample the atmosphere around Dublin, with the early evening kick-off meaning there is potential for all-day drinking in the city centre. Reports in Ireland say 350 specialist officers will also be deployed over the weekend.
The FA, however, has not yet repeated their warning issued in 2015 when they wrote to fans to warn them not to chant anti-IRA songs. That fixture was the first clash between the nations since 1995 when their friendly was abandoned after crowd trouble. Under Roy Hodgson, England played out a goalless draw nine years ago in a lunch-time match, with the kick-off time selected with public order in mind.
Fans with tickets for Saturday’s clash have been told they must pick them up from specific locations in Dublin with time slots to collect. They were also warned over flares and smoke bombs being prohibited.
“It is important to highlight that these items are not only illegal inside a football stadium, but these prohibited items can also cause great harm to people. These pyrotechnics and flares can burn at up to 2,000C and can cause significant injuries to carriers and fellow spectators,” they said.
“We have also seen several incidents that have resulted in people experiencing breathing difficulties, distress, and discomfort.”
