Naples bans sale of alcohol ahead of England-Italy match
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An order signed by the mayor of Naples prohibited the sale of alcoholic drinks in the area around the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and other central parts of the southern Italian city of from 7am until midnight ahead of the Italy-England match on Thursday evening.
The alcohol ban was the latest safety measure reported after England’s Football Association on Tuesday warned fans not to bring belts or phone chargers to the match.
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The FA published an advisory for fans stating that belts could be confiscated when passing through the policed ticket checkpoints at the stadium over concerns they could be used as a weapon.
READ ALSO: Champions League: Eight arrested after fans clash with police in Naples
Police in Naples said 23 buses would be laid on to transport some 2,500 England fans between the port area and the stadium as a safety measure, and a heavy police presence was expected around the port and seafront on Thursday according to Italian media reports.
Flags and scarves decorating a street in the Spanish Quarter district of central Naples. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Concerns about potential violence around the match were heightened after German and Italian fans clashed with police in Naples last week following the Champions League match between Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt.
A planned friendly football match between England and Italy supporters was cancelled after Garford Beck, the boss of England men’s supporters’ team, said he received a “sinister” threat by email allegedly from Napoli ‘ultras’ or hooligans, Sky reported.