England fans are warned they may face a possible beer BAN for their Euro 2024 opener in Germany as top cop says talks are underway over stopping sales in the stadium... and those misbehaving will be sent home

England supporters may be banned from drinking beer at their Euro 2024 opener in Germany next year, a top officer in charge of policing has warned.

Peter Both, the security operations director for the Three Lions' first match against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, is determined to stop boozing inside the stadium and in public areas of the city and has also warned he will send those misbehaving home.

Gareth Southgate's side will begin the tournament at Schalke's 62,000-capacity Veltins Arena and could return there should they progress as group winners.

The tough-talking Both would be in overall charge of both fixtures and responsible for ensuring crowd safety, with alcohol sales currently firmly on his hit list.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Both said: 'We're discussing the possibility of banning alcohol in the stadium and I make no secret of it. 

'Through the ­spectacles of someone responsible for security and in charge of police deployment on that day, I would find it good.

'We are also currently checking at the moment to what extent we can apply banning alcohol in public places.

'In principle you're free to drink alcohol on the street in Germany, but in big areas where fans gather in overfilled spaces we want to forbid it.'

Supporters in Germany are permitted to consume alcohol in their seats at matches, though booze bans have been imposed on Bundesliga matches viewed as high risk. 

Both is set to discuss his grand plans with British police officials and FA bosses, with preliminary talks held during England's match against Malta at Wembley last month.

However, his no-nonsense approach risks angering thousands of supporters set to fly out for the tournament as well as the owners of the Euros' official beer, Bitberger. The beverage giant has paid millions to sell their drinks at stadiums.

Top cop Both is expecting between 50,000 and 80,000 England supporters to be in Gelsenkirchen for their opening game. Many will not hold match tickets.

Police officers will be told to consider the masses 'peaceful', he has insisted, though those who are deemed to have stepped out of line will be dealt with. 

'It's important all police in Germany adopt a mindset of seeing the fans as peaceful rather than a threat, but we will react if something happens,' Both said. 

'You can't exclude the fact that some will be coming with the intention of causing riots. My message to England fans is we will be prepared.

'If anyone does try to cause trouble we will move quickly and they will be sent home.'

Riot police and officers on horses will be on duty, as will dog handlers. Measures such as water cannons have been described by Both as a 'last resort'.