The FA are preparing to roll out largest EVER security operation in Wembley history for Champions League final in the first UEFA showpiece since drink and drug fuelled Euros chaos in 2021

The Football Association has pumped £5million into bolstering Wembley security to avoid a repeat of the shameful scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final.

The governing body are preparing to execute the largest security operation in the stadium’s history ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

It is the first UEFA final to be held at Wembley since the deplorable drink and drug fuelled behaviour that unfolded outside the national stadium in the build-up to the European Championship final between England and Italy in 2021.

Similarly, the previous two Champions League finals, in Paris and Istanbul, have been overshadowed by major logistical problems outside the stadiums leading to chaotic and dangerous scenes - something the FA are desperate to avoid.

Indeed, it has now emerged that the FA have injected a seven-figure sum to ensure yobs do not ruin another Wembley showcase.

The investment has been used to solidify the stadium’s security infrastructure, including the increasing the strength of all Wembley’s doors with additional magnetic lock systems to ensure there is no repeat of people successfully ripping them of their hinges.

Additional fences and gates have been delivered throughout Wembley’s parameters, while the area underneath the iconic Olympic steps has been significantly bolstered since the Euros final.

A significant part of the money has been spent on improving CCTV in and around Wembley, while a second security control room big enough to house around 18 officers has been opened with the specific remit of monitoring events outside the stadium’s perimeter, including tube stations and local pubs.

The FA have also invested in providing additional body cameras for event stewards.

On Saturday, over 2,500 security stewards will be deployed, the largest number ever for a Wembley event.

One of the criticisms of the security operation for the Euro 2020 final was the apprehensive approach from sections of the stewarding staff that day, although many have since insisted they did not have the level of expertise to handle the sort of intoxicated fan that arrive at Wembley intent on causing trouble.

But the FA insist they have since improved their training and vetting strategies regarding steward selection for Wembley events. There is also a sense that the selection pool of stewards for the Euros in 2020 was lower due to the ongoing impact of Covid.

All tickets for this weekend’s final, which is a sell-out, will be digital, available through the official UEFA app.

Supporters will have their tickets checked on three occasions before being allowed access to their seats.

Wembley Way and the surrounding areas around the stadium will become alcohol-free zones, while sniffer dogs will be in operation to identify anyone in possession of drugs.

Chris Bryant, the FA’s director of tournaments and events, said: ‘It’s vital we deliver and do everything we can control in the best possible way.

‘We want this event to be as successful as possible for every reason, not least for the fans and the event in itself, but we know a lot of people will think about the Euros final as well.

‘I can’t help but be incredibly sad when I watch the Netflix documentary (about the Euros final). That wasn’t the day that, be it for the fans or people working here, was right.

‘It was a difficult and disappointing day. It wasn’t the way we deserved to end the tournament. A massive amount of work has gone into this, an event of national significance and a chance to show London is fantastic at delivering big events, that Wembley is a home for big football matches and we do events like this very well.’