UEFA perform another U-turn on special rule for England vs Slovakia Euros match

England fans will be served normal strength beer at their Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia on Sunday night after UEFA performed another U-turn ahead of kick-off.

The Three Lions return to Gelsenkirchen on Sunday evening, the ground at which England's Euro 2024 campaign began against Serbia - and fans were served low-alcohol, 2.8% pints after the contest was deemed "high risk" by local authorities.

The lack of full-strength beer led to transport chaos in the hours leading up to the match as fans attempted to reach the ground after drinking elsewhere.

The Football Supporters' Association (FSA), along with the local council, argued ahead of the game that England's designation as "high risk" was undeserved given the praise fans have received while being abroad, while the designation would only exacerbate potential transport issues.

And heading into Sunday's clash, it was believed fans were going to have to prepare for another round of similar debacles with UEFA confirming to the Times that only low-alcohol beer would be available at the game just hours after a spokesperson said full-strength beer would be served to fans. But now there seems to have been another U-turn to add to the list, with it being reported that regular beer will now be served, albeit with restrictions.

According to the Mail, fans will be limited to the number of beers they can buy and will not be permitted to take beers to their seats, as they have been able to do at other matches.

Gelsenkirchen’s local council reportedly voted in favour of selling normal strength beer, having been impressed by the conduct of England fans during the Serbia match.

However, UEFA and local police are said to have initially overruled the council's wishes until their persistent arguments - aided by the FSA - eventually led to compromise.

A general view as fans of England make their way through the security check points as they are searched before entering the Stadium prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Serbia and England at Arena AufSchalke

Gelsenkirchen’s council, who noted how well England’s fans had behaved at the Serbia match, had voted in favour of selling normal strength beer but were understood to have been overruled by UEFA and local police.

However, they continued to argue the point, along with the FSA. And, as a result, a compromise has now been reached.

Following England's 1-0 win over Serbia, the FSA issued a furious statement about the "serious issues in Gelsenkirchen" that affected fans' travel plans. "We are dismayed at what fans have had to go through," they said.

"To see fans stranded three hours after the game has finished due to transport problems at a major tournament is quite simply ridiculous. Ahead of the tournament we made it clear to Uefa and the authorities that many, many thousands of England fans would be travelling to Gelsenkirchen from the outer towns and cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, and that transport back to Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof [the railway station] from Arena AufSchalke had to be the biggest priority."

England fans cheer

The group also warned that, despite an earlier kick-off, the potential for repeat trouble -- along with the possibility of extra-time and penalties -- could lead to "another late departure in darkness".

"It is clear to us that an urgent and thorough review of arrangements is needed before that event, with lessons learnt and dramatically enhanced provisions put in place," they added.

"The initial defensive response of authorities locally suggests a complacency out of sync with what was required. The FSA, along with the FA and the UK Police, engaged with local authorities in advance of the first game and it is essential that we are involved in any review of plans."

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