England: Extra security for Champions League final to avoid embarrassment from Euro

source: StadiumDB.com; author: Jakub Ducki

England: Extra security for Champions League final to avoid embarrassment from Euro Alcohol, drugs, lack of tickets and brawls are just a few of the offences of English fans at the Euro 2020 final. After such a major organisational failure and Netflix documents, the organisers are beating their breasts, promising to improve. What will be done about it and will it eventually get better?

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£5m to fight hooligans

The English football federation is taking matters into its own hands. The governing body is preparing the biggest Wembley security operation in its history ahead of Saturday's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Experienced by previous failures in crucial matches, the FA is donating an extra £5m to host the match.

The previous two Champions League finals, in Paris and Istanbul, were overshadowed by serious logistical problems outside the stadiums, leading to dangerous scenes. This is something the FA wants to avoid and erase the bad image from Euro 2020.

Wembley Stadium connected by EE© mcmillant75

What will be improved?

The money will be used to enhance the stadium's security infrastructure, including increasing the strength of all entrances to the stadium with additional magnetic locking systems to ensure there is no repeat of people effectively ripping them off their hinges.

Additional fencing and gates have been provided at Wembley and the area under the iconic Olympic steps has been significantly strengthened since the European Championships. A significant amount of funding was used to improve security by installing security cameras in and around the stadium. A second security control room, capable of accommodating around 18 security officers, has been set up to monitor events outside the stadium perimeter, including underground stations and local pubs.

More than 2,500 stewards will be deployed during the match on Saturday, the highest number ever for a Wembley event. The FA has also improved action plans and training and vetting strategies for selecting suitable stewards for events held at the stadium.

All tickets for this weekend's final will be available digitally via the official UEFA app. Significant improvements have also been made here - fans will be verified by presenting their ticket three times before gaining entry to the stadium.

In addition, there will be a prohibition - alcohol-free zones - in Wembley Way and the surrounding areas around the stadium for match day, and tracking dogs will identify people in possession of drugs.

Wembley Stadium connected by EE© Hugh Nutt

FA director on shameful past

We want this event to be as successful as possible for every reason, not least for the fans and the event in itself, but we know a lot of people will think about the Euros final as well. I can’t help but be incredibly sad when I watch the Netflix documentary (about the Euros final). That wasn’t the day that, be it for the fans or people working here, was right. It was a difficult and disappointing day. It wasn’t the way we deserved to end the tournament. A massive amount of work has gone into this, an event of national significance and a chance to show London is fantastic at delivering big events, that Wembley is a home for big football matches and we do events like this very well - Chris Bryant, FA Director of Tournaments and Events, said.

The final at Wembley during Euro 2020 is primarily remembered as the match in which the cup was not coming home, but especially by the large amount of banditry. There were 49 arrests and 19 police officers were injured in the stadium area alone. Across the whole tournament, there were more than 2,300 perimeter incidents - more than at any time in history - and 622 arrests. We invite you to read an article on this shocking subject.

In early May, Netflix released the documentary The Final: Attack on Wembley, which depicts the day of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy. Curious as to why English can feel shame?

Wembley Stadium connected by EE© Thorsten Weidinger

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