England soccer supporters warned to brace for "inferno" in the next European Championship venue
In recent weeks, a British newspaper cautioned English tourists about Frankfurt Bahnhof quarter. It described this area as a drug-ridden slum, yet English fans turned it into a lively party zone despite the European Championship match against Denmark.
Football anthems like "It's Coming Home" and "Sweet Caroline" filled the Frankfurt Bahnhof quarter before the England vs Denmark game. English fans were already singing their hearts out in the afternoon. Almost every pub, bar, or club was packed with fans of both teams, creating an uncontrollable football party right in the heart of Frankfurt.
However, the same British newspaper had issued severe warnings about Frankfurt Bahnhof quarter, using terms like "Zombieland" and "Hellhole". Even on the match day itself, it labeled the Bahnhof quarter as a "No Go Zone" and Frankfurt as the worst city of the European championship. The newspaper claimed that the Bahnhof quarter is a dangerous slum filled with 5000 drunk junkies and 300 drug dealers.
What does Zombieland mean?
Many English fans, however, have little interest in such a dangerous quarter. "I can't see why Zombieland is even used here," says a fan to the German Press Agency. "It's quite nice here." "The food is good, the beer is great - I'll definitely come back," adds another.
Approximately 50,000 English fans are estimated to arrive in Frankfurt in the lead-up, according to the police. Most of them are likely to have found accommodation in various pubs around the main station. Steve has been there since 2 am, and despite the creepy atmosphere at that hour, he finds it nice and praises the atmosphere now that it's daylight.
Two more fans from Manchester find the drug problem visible but not overly dramatic. "There are some junkies at the station, but it's not that bad," says one. "But they're everywhere, otherwise it's quite nice." Even on a Wednesday, the pub was a popular meeting spot for many fans-two from Birmingham were there enjoying their beer while watching the station. "It's a terrifying place," says one of the two about the quarter. "The junkies are everywhere. It's a little unsettling, but they don't really bother me."
Risky Business in Frankfurt
The police are prepared for potential trouble and have set up a special task force to ensure security during the European Championship. Their focus is on preventing violence and drug-related offenses. They are also increasing patrols in areas where fans are expected to gather.
Despite the warnings, many English fans are enthusiastic about the party atmosphere in Frankfurt and are eager to make the most of their time there. Some have even booked accommodation in the heart of the Bahnhofsviertel, eager to be part of the action.
However, the risks cannot be overlooked. The drug problem in Frankfurt is a severe issue, and fans are advised to be cautious and aware of their surroundings. The police recommend avoiding any areas where drug dealing is known to occur and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Despite the challenges, the European Championship in Frankfurt promises to be an exciting and unforgettable experience for fans from all over Europe. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, and the parties are sure to be memorable. For those who are prepared to take the risks, the rewards could be great. But for those who aren't, there are plenty of other places to enjoy the football and the European Championship atmosphere.
The police view this encounter as a risky game. One must be well-prepared to handle any scenario. In the first place, the police focus on a de-escalating and communicative approach. Belgium and Slovakia played in Frankfurt on Monday. The Belgian police had warned about the notorious quarter beforehand. The use of hard drugs, directly on the street, is common there, and passers-by are harassed, said Jan Vanmaercke from the Belgian Police to the newspaper "Nieuwsblad".
Fans who traveled by train were advised to leave the station quarter as quickly as possible and go to the fan zone. For the rest of the city, the police see no problems, said Vanmaercke, who had come to Frankfurt with a few colleagues in advance. For Alexander Zochowski, founder of the initiative "Auf ins Viertel", articles like the one in the "Sun" only cause head shaking. "That's just making me very angry. In addition, it's disrespectful to call sick people zombies", says the gastronome and entrepreneur.
For him, the station quarter stands for diversity, life, and internationality. "Of course, it's also problematic, clear, we don't want to sugarcoat it." But primarily, it's about a colorful diversity, which there is probably nowhere else in Germany on such a small scale. And how can one counteract the problems? It's about a positive activation, about not being afraid of the station quarter, but about showing presence, says Zochowski. The city presented a catalog of measures. The video surveillance was expanded, the weapons prohibition zone was extended, the police presence was increased, the street cleaning was stepped up, there are more public toilets, a new paving and street painting at the entrance to the quarter.
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In light of the European Football Championship 2024, some England supporters might be surprised to find out that Frankfurt am Main, the venue for several matches, has been described as a potential "inferno" by a British publication. Despite these warnings, fans are looking forward to the lively atmosphere and the chance to sing popular soccer anthems like "It's Coming Home" and "Sweet Caroline" in Frankfurt Bahnhof quarter, even if it has been labeled a "No Go Zone" by certain sources.
