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UEFA have advised tens of thousands of England fans to book hotels for Euro 2024 in an area of Germany plagued by drug addicts known as ‘zombies’.
The area is located near Frankfurt’s railway station, or Bahnhofsviertel, and UEFA have given the green light for Three Lions supporters to be based there.
Gareth Southgate’s men are due to play their second group game against Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20, but the area recommended by UEFA for supporters has been branded ‘the most dangerous slum in Germany’, as reported by The Sun.
The drugs on offer have led to addicts becoming aggressive, which has meant police protection has been stepped up in the area for road sweepers, while multiple schools have also asked for dedicated security and US firms have urged their employees to take taxis when travelling, even for short journeys.
UEFA have reportedly advised England fans to stay in an area plagued with drug addicts for Euro 2024
Heroin and cocaine are the main drugs dealt in the area by Frankfurt railway station
The streets in the area reportedly are reportedly inhabited by 5,000 junkies and 300 dealers
England are set to play their second group game – against Denmark – at Deutsche Bank Park
Despite this, UEFA have told fans: ‘You’ll discover a variety of accommodation in close proximity to the Central Station or throughout the entire Bahnhofsviertel area.
‘From here, you can easily and conveniently access other key transportation hubs within the city.
‘This makes Bahnhofsviertel an especially appealing choice if you’re considering trips to explore the city or its surroundings.’
However, the former head of the command and situation service of the city police, Gunter Tauber, told The Sun: ‘Aggression is increasing sharply. This new mixture causes users to lose control and they become more aggressive than ever.’
A security consultant added: ‘I don’t think it’s OK of UEFA to make a recommendation for fans to stay in this area.
‘Passers-by walking through the Bahnhofsviertel have been robbed and threatened.’
James Monks, organiser of the Supporters Club’s West Midlands branch, has booked a room in the area, but admitted he has some concerns ahead of his trip to Germany.
He said: ‘It seems an odd decision from UEFA to recommend fans stay in such a dangerous area. I do wonder if UEFA executives will base themselves in Bahnhofsviertel!
‘Hopefully the authorities will clean up the area in time but it doesn’t sound good.
‘I just hope the thousands of England fans travelling to Germany remain safe.’
Fans now face a decision over whether to book accommodation in the Frankfurt area, with England set to play there in a little over two months. Uk and German authorities have estimated that more than 500,000 supporters will follow England to Germany this summer.
More than 500,000 England fans are expected to travel to Germany this summer for the Euros
Police protection has been stepped up in the area due to addicts becoming aggressive
Gareth Southgate’s England are due to play in Frankfurt against Denmark on June 20
England’s other two group matches against Serbia and Slovenia will be played in Gelsenkirchen and Cologne, respectively.
UEFA’s decision-making on accommodation has been called into question, and they still have to make a key call regarding the tournament itself, as they are yet to clarify the size of the squads allowed for each nation.
They had originally determined that squad sizes would be cut to 23 after previously being increased to 26 for the last Euros due to the implications of strict Covid-19 restrictions.
But international bosses met on Monday afternoon in Dusseldorf to discuss the possibility of permitting 26 players to be named once again after managers raised fears over having depleted squads following a high number of injuries across Europe this season.
The subject has split opinion across the participating countries, with Southgate concerned that having more players could disrupt squad morale.
