The Atlético de Madrid will be measured this next Tuesday 19 at Liverpool in the third game of the group stage of the Champions League. It will be a great game that you live in Wanda Metropolitano, with more than 3,000 English fans in the stands of the colchonero coliseum. An appointment that has been declared ‘high risk’ by the Government Delegation on Madrid and that it will have a special reinforcement by the authorities and the security forces.
For now, English fans have a guide of recommendations issued by the United Kingdom embassy in Spain that leaves some curious things. This is a series of recommendations such as those that are usually issued in all cases, but it is striking that they highlight some things that nationals already have assumed. Foreigners do not have to know them and they are always useful to avoid problems.
To begin with, they are reminded, in case there are any clueless that they are no longer part of the European Union Therefore, in addition to carrying a valid passport, they may have to queue at border controls, in the non-EU area. “You may also need to show the return ticket, enough money for your stay, proof of accommodation for your stay or proof of an invitation from a friend, relative, etc. if you are going to stay with him.”
BEWARE OF THE POLICE
One of the issues that the UK embassy has the most impact on is the relationship with the police and the authorities. In this sense, they recall that “the police have the right to detain him until his identity is confirmed”, while asking the fans not to “touch” any member of the state security forces, to “not ask them photos ”(in England it is very common to ask them to the ‘Bobbies‘). The issue of physical contact has been a problem on other occasions in visits from opposing hobbies and has generated arrests and altercations.
To avoid problems, the rival fans will arrive in Madrid accompanied by a team of liaison officers from the English police, as is usual in these cases, and will be concentrated in specific areas to avoid altercations. The police have requested that they use the metro line 5 that has stops in the center of Madrid (Gran Vía, Callao, Opera), where the previous hours will pass and go down in Canillejas. The police have designated a ‘meeting point’ for visiting fans in a square next to the metro station of Canillejas call Zephyr Square, which is an area with bars and restaurants 25 minutes walk from the stadium. From where they will be bagged to the stadium.
During this journey, it is recalled that “throwing flares around the city (including the meeting point) is illegal” and that “the Policeman Spanish has the right to intervene, confiscate flares and can deny access to the match if any of these laws are violated ”. “Police officers have the right to prevent people from taking photos or filming if they believe that their personal safety or that of a police operation or a protected area could be compromised as a result,” warns the embassy.
THE MASK AND THE ALCOHOL
As for the rules in the stadium itself, they remember that “access can be slow” because there will be several control circles in which they will be searched, even inside the stadium. It is recalled that they can be requested to enter at any time and it is recommended that they keep it safe because “thieves can target ticket holders as possible targets and if the tickets are lost or stolen, they will not be printed again. and will not be able to access the stadium ”.
By the way, English fans are reminded that “current restrictions on COVID on Spain require that all fans in football stadiums wear a mask at all times ”and that inside the stadium“ they cannot smoke, eat or drink (no alcohol) ”and that“ only bottles of water are allowed without caps ”.
THE PORTFOLIO
Finally, in the general advice section, fans are asked to “be careful with pickpockets and bag thieves in airports, train stations, in the center of Dudad and when using public transport such as the subway” .
“Take only what you need and leave extra cash and valuables in the hotel’s security deposits. Small criminals often operate in areas where there are large crowds, so be vigilant and keep your valuables safe, ”they explain.
Although the embassy of United Kingdom alerts his compatriots that “in Madrid, drinking alcohol on the street and in the subway is illegal and you can be fined or arrested for doing so ”, it will not be strange to see these images next Tuesday in the capital of Spain.
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