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5 months ago
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The German police have issued a warning to English fans ahead of the Euros and encouraged them to smoke cannabis instead of drinking alcohol, according to reports.
Mail Sport revealed earlier in the week that the German police force had demanded the VELTINS Arena serve Three Lions fans low-alcohol beer ahead of their opening game with Serbia.
They are concerned that both the English and Serbian fans could cause issues in and around the stadium in Gelsenkirchen, the home of Schalke 04, if they are intoxicated.
The Sun have now revealed that the Gelsenkirchen police force would prefer for England fans to smoke cannabis than drink as it would make them 'calmer' and 'chilled out'.
A Gelsenkirchen Police spokesman reportedly told The Sun: 'It's no problem for fans to smoke cannabis on the street.
The German police have issued a warning to English fans ahead of the Euros and encouraged them to smoke cannabis instead of drinking alcohol
Police have advised that low-percentage beer should be served during Sunday's match but are still said to be concerned about intoxicated fans
It is expected around 40,000 England fans will travel to Gelsenkirchen for this Sunday's match
'If we see a group of people drinking alcohol and looking a bit aggressive, and another group smoking cannabis, of course we'll look at the group drinking alcohol.
'Drinking alcohol can make someone more aggressive, and smoking cannabis puts people in a chill mood. We want to prevent violence and keep people safe.
'Our focus will be on fans who are drinking and potentially getting violent — that's why we in place safety precautions on alcohol.'
On April 1 earlier this year, Germany joined the list of countries who have legalised cannabis for personal use.
The country's parliament passed a law that will legalise the cultivation and consumption of a limited amount of the drug.
The decision was made in an effort to regularise the behaviour of the 4.5 million Germans who are estimated to use it.
Cultivating up to three plants for private consumption and owning up to 25 grams (0.88 oz) of cannabis has been legalised.
However, fans will be prohibited from smoking cannabis inside the 62,000-seat Veltins Arena and will be prevented from lighting up in the fan zones.
Therefore, the police have encouraged fans to smoke cannabis instead as it will 'chill' them out
On April 1, Germany joined the list of countries who have legalised cannabis for personal use
Cultivating up to three plants for private consumption and owning up to 25 grams (0.88 oz) of cannabis has been legalised
Fans have also been asked to refrain from smoking weed in bars or city squares during the Euros this summer.
It is expected around 40,000 English fans will travel to support Gareth Southgate's side, with only around 5,000 to 8,000 Serbian fans set to travel to Gelsenkirchen.
Speaking about the threat to civilisation earlier in the week, Chief Inspector Christof Burghardt told Sky News England's opening game would be 'high-risk'.
'I think it's a very high-risk game because of the history, because of the hooligans both sides have,' Burghardt said.
'Serbia has many hooligans. The English guys, with alcohol, they are very aggressive. So it's a great job to do this, to prepare, so that hopefully nothing will happen.'
He added: 'The biggest challenge for us will be to identify violent, disruptive groups at an early stage, to separate them from peaceful and law-abiding fans.'
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