June 14th 2024.
Hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic England fans are currently making their way to Germany, eagerly anticipating the start of Euro 2024. As they prepare to cheer on their beloved Three Lions, they have been given a special code word to use in case they feel unsafe or threatened during their travels.
It is estimated that up to 500,000 supporters from England and Scotland will be arriving in Germany over the next few weeks, all hoping to witness their team lift their first major trophy since the legendary victory of 1966. The national team has been on an impressive streak, making it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and reaching the final of Euro 2020 before a heartbreaking defeat to Italy.
With such high expectations and a large number of fans expected to descend on Germany, authorities are taking precautions to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The upcoming match between England and Serbia has been deemed a "high risk" event by German police, who have implemented a code word system for English fans in case of any danger.
According to The Telegraph, supporters have been instructed to use the word "Panama" with police or tournament staff if they feel in danger. This will prompt immediate assistance from a team specially trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. This protocol has been successfully used at Bundesliga games and music festivals in Germany, but concerns have been raised about its effectiveness against the expected influx of 500 Serbian hooligans.
Wilhelm Wessels, the project manager for Gelsenkirchen where the match will take place, has assured that all law enforcement and Euro staff are familiar with the "Panama rules" and are ready to react accordingly. The Football Association (FA) has also urged fans to be on their best behavior and represent their country with pride, following incidents involving England supporters during the 2018 World Cup.
FA chief Mark Bullingham has reminded fans that their support can make a huge difference to the team's performance, and he hopes they will continue to be a "tribute" to their country just as they were during the 2006 World Cup. He also expressed confidence in the German police's ability to handle the tournament, but emphasized the importance of fans behaving in a responsible and respectful manner.
After their match against Serbia, England will face Denmark in Frankfurt and then Slovenia in Cologne, with hopes of progressing to the later stages of the tournament. As the country holds its breath and the fans prepare to show their unwavering support, all eyes will be on the Three Lions as they strive to bring home the trophy and make history once again.
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