MOSCOW, June 4 The Football Association (FA) failed to get a ban on alcohol sales near the stadium before the match between England and Serbia in the group stage of the European Championship due to concerns about unrest among fans, The Telegraph reports.
The match will take place on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and will be the opening match for both teams in the tournament.
According to the publication, the FA sent a letter to UEFA asking for a ban on alcohol sales, except inside the stadium, before the match, which the city police chief called «the riskiest» match of the tournament. However, such a ban was deemed illegal.
«We have enquired about the possibility of a ban on the sale of alcohol in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, similar to the ban in place around Wembley Stadium, which has been successful. We have not asked for a ban on the sale of alcohol in the stadium,» a spokeswoman for the FA said.
Only low-alcohol beer will reportedly be sold in the stadium, and drinking in public areas of the central square in Gelsenkirchen will be restricted. The measures will not apply to the city's two other group games — Spain v Italy and Georgia v Portugal.
England will play in Group C at the upcoming European Championships, which will take place from 14 June to 14 July in Germany, against Serbia (16 June), Slovenia (20 June) and Denmark (25 June).