England facing Italy in their first major final since 1966 on Sunday will be a night of nerve-shredding tension.
And here’s hoping that while millions tune in, England’s fired up fans will behave better than some have done so far this tournament.
We’ve seen some unsavoury incidences during the thrilling Euro games, caused by a minority of course. When the Three Lions triumphed 2-0 against Germany last week, fans booed their rival’s national anthem, and young German girl crying was abused on Twitter.
Uefa has charged England after a laser pen was shone on the face of Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel as Harry Kane stepped up to take an extra-time penalty during Wednesday’s historic semi-final.
England are also charged with causing a “disturbance” during Denmark’s national anthem and setting off fireworks.
So what’s it like to be a steward at Wembley responsible for ensuring there’s law and order?
‘English fans are the rowdiest’
“English fans are the rowdiest,” said Scarlet West, who has worked at every Euro game held at Wembley. “I think the booing of the national anthems was really rude. And the laser pen was disgraceful. I heard about the flares going off but didn’t see it.
“There are all these big men around and they’re tanked up and I’m only 5ft 3 and I do think what am I going to do if anything kicks off?
“But I was stewarding the biggest bar on the England side at the England-Denmark game and there were no fights.”
The 39-year-old from London said she ultimately feels safe because there is plenty of back up. “I know that if I pick up one of the yellow phones around the stadium help will be there immediately.”
But Scarlet thinks her small stature and courteousness helps avoid trouble. “People do what you say then,” she said. “Except they don’t listen when you’re telling them to get off the seats.”
She says that while she’s enjoyed the atmosphere, she says it’s not a job for football lovers. “You’ve got to have your eyes on the people not the game,” she said. “You’ve got to stop people drinking alcohol in the seats, standing on the seats or invading the pitch.
“It is a good buzz working there but it’s so loud in the stadium, you go with your ears ringing and the football chants stuck in your head.
“I’m indifferent about football. I don’t really understand the extreme passion. One fan was wailing like a wounded animal when Denmark scored first.”
Wembley Stadium in stats
- 90,000: the capacity at the stadium, though the stadium was not full for the semi-finals with just over than 60,000 allowed
- 40,000: the number of pints of beer that can be served during half time in a football/rugby league match.
- 4,000,000m³: The space inside its walls and under its roof (equivalent of 25,000 double-decker buses or 7bn pints of milk)
- The Stadium has 34 bars, eight restaurants, 98 kitchens and 688 food and drink service points.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/36pmi70
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