The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

EM 2021 in London: When prestige counts more than fear of corona

2021-06-23T17:11:39.430Z


In England, the corona numbers are increasing due to the delta variant. Nevertheless, there were now 30,000 Scottish football fans in London - most of them without tickets and without a mask. A lot of rubbish was left behind.


Read the video transcript here

The Scottish National Anthem in Leicester Square, London.

In the British capital, thousands of football fans celebrated the duel with England - and the goalless draw, a success for the guests.

The people were in the streets until late at night.

There are images that run through this EM: The corona pandemic is not over and still masses of football fans are gathering.

This is particularly problematic in London.

In England, the more contagious and dangerous Delta variant of the virus has long dominated.

Despite the high vaccination rate, the number of infections is increasing, and easing has been postponed.

But many football fans don't seem to care.

London Mayor Sadiq Kahn wanted to prevent public gatherings and asked people to stay at home.

That didn't work out at all.

Around 30,000 Scots traveled to London, most of them even though they did not have a ticket.

Because only 22,500 spectators are allowed here.

But for many the game was too important to stay at home.

It is about a lot of prestige, also due to the political explosiveness.

Unlike England, Scotland had rejected Brexit, and many Scots themselves are striving for independence from Great Britain.

In London there were now also minor riots between fans - and also with the police.

The semi-finals and the final of the European Championship are to take place in London's Wembley Stadium, and even more spectators are planned.

But that is now up for debate.

Also because Uefa wants the quarantine rules to be relaxed so that more sponsor representatives can enter.

Otherwise there could be a move to Budapest.

Full utilization of the stadium is permitted there; exceptions apply to ticket holders when entering the country.

The next game at Wembley will take place on Tuesday, when England will face the Czech Republic in the final group game. Then it should stay a little quieter than against the Scots. They left quite a devastation in the British capital. What the game and the tournament will leave behind with a view to the corona pandemic will only show in the next few weeks.

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-06-23

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.