Before England/Germany game:

"...police have dismissed fears that allowing supporters to drink super-strength beer in bars from 8.30 in the morning on match day will lead to unruly behaviour.

Supporters will be allowed to buy traditional bottled Belgian beer up to a strength of 9% in the 12 hours before what police have described as a "high risk" match. But no draught beer will be sold in glasses. Instead drinks will be served in plastic cups."

and according to reliable sources, coloured straws will be distributed free with beer.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Answers

Where on earth did you find that quote blee?(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

9% lager? That's what the local tramps in London drink! Besides, as if you can't buy Tenants Extra on the boat?!?!

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Press Association. You can read the full article from http://uk.news.yahoo.com/000616/75/aavr3.html or you can read it here:

3,000 Police Braced For Soccer Fans' Arrival A massive security operation is swinging into action ahead of England's crucial Euro 2000 clash with old rivals Germany. More than 3,000 police officers, including 120 on horseback, are set to patrol the streets and squares of the tough industrial town of Charleroi in Belgium, where the countries meet on Saturday night.

Fans have been warned that police will operate a "zero tolerance" policy and have 13 water cannon at their disposal should violence flare.

However, police have dismissed fears that allowing supporters to drink super-strength beer in bars from 8.30 in the morning on match day will lead to unruly behaviour.

Supporters will be allowed to buy traditional bottled Belgian beer up to a strength of 9% in the 12 hours before what police have described as a "high risk" match. But no draught beer will be sold in glasses. Instead drinks will be served in plastic cups.

Charleroi gendarmerie spokesman Major Michel Rompen said fans taking bottles out of bars with them would have them taken away and could be arrested.

The focus of police activity will be to intervene rapidly to stop small incidents becoming more serious. They will punish racist behaviour and minor offences such as urinating in the street.

English supporters are expected to begin arriving in the city today - very few have reached Charleroi so far. It is expected that most of the fans will turn up on Saturday, with the majority of the Germans arriving the same day.

There are fears that tens of thousands of English fans without tickets may decide to travel.

Police revealed that musical bands will parade the streets on Saturday in a bid to defuse the tension.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Ah! My mind is once more being totally boggled! Throw some oompah bands in there too, just to add to the congestion - good thinking! Oh well, we can only hope that nothing too serious happens - but I fear the worst! (:ol

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000