FA warn England fans tickets will be confiscated if they misbehave at Euro 2024

The Football Association has warned England supporters they face having tickets confiscated for future Euro 2024 games if they are caught misbehaving in Germany.

England’s opening tournament game against Serbia has been earmarked by German police as one of the tournament’s “high-risk” fixtures and ahead of the game the FA has contacted ticket-holders urging them to “treat the cities and locals with respect”.

As many as 500,000 England supporters are expected to travel to Germany for the tournament and many will make the trip to Gelsenkirchen, the host city of England’s first game.

“We hope that all fans will continue to keep in mind the importance of representing England in the right way whilst abroad,” the FA has written in communication, seen by i, to England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) members, a group of core fans who pay for membership.

“Our presence here is an opportunity to demonstrate the best of England, both on and off the pitch.”

Tournament organisers Uefa, alongside the FA and local authorities, have put in place a comprehensive support system for fans that witness or face anti-social behaviour, discrimination, harassment or threats.

Each of the tournament’s stadiums will have a rapid response team on site that can handle complaints.

Those who report issues will be put in touch with a law firm and have the option to remain anonymous.

The FA’s communication to supporters makes clear that “any unacceptable behaviour whilst following England may result in… withdrawal of future match tickets (including during the tournament)” alongside police involvement and possible criminal proceedings, being issued with Football Banning Orders back in England and having ESTC membership revoked.

The FA has also provided ESTC members with a dedicated email address to send reports and there is a mobile number for urgent requests.

The governing body will have their own security and stewards at all of England’s games — Gareth Southgate’s side face Denmark, in Frankfurt, and Slovenia, in Cologne, in their remaining group fixtures — to assist.

“The FA will not tolerate any excessive behaviour and will always investigate reports of inappropriate behaviour with the utmost urgency,” the communication says.

It adds: “Members are ambassadors for the England team and should act in such a way that will continue to enhance the image of English supporters and the national side on the world stage.”

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There are particular concerns about England’s game against Serbia because both sets of supporters have a history of hooliganism.

Steps have been taken to reduce the chance of trouble, including serving only low-alcohol beer in venues around the stadium and banning drinking in public in the city’s main plaza.

The FA had tried to have alcohol banned in the bars and pubs around the Veltins-Arena stadium, but the request was denied.

British police are sending the most officers to assist their German counterparts at a major football tournament since the 2006 Germany World Cup.

Many fans will travel to Gelsenkirchen without tickets to watch the game on big screens in the fan park, around two miles from the stadium. The Veltins-Arena has a capacity of 62,000.

The last time England played a European Championship final game it was the Euro 2020 final at Wembley against Italy, when supporters rioted and many without tickets forced their way into the stadium.