"The Sun" advisories England supporters about the upcoming European Championship's potential "inferno"
Weeks past, a British publication issued forewarnings about Frankfurt Bahnhof district to English spectators. Predicted as an evening arrival in a drug-ridden neighborhood, the English enthusiasts transformed it into a boisterous pre-game party area for the EURO football championship match against Denmark.
"Coming Home" and "Sweet Caroline" will echo in the Frankfurt Bahnhof district, making it a temporary stage for an enormous sing-along before the EURO football championship clash between England and Denmark. English fans are already belting out football anthems loudly in the afternoon. Nearly every pub, bar, or club is filled with fans from both teams - a feverish football party smack dab in the heart of Main metropolis.
Despite the stark warnings from the British publication, using terms like "Zombieland" and "Hellhole," Frankfurt Bahnhof district was declared a "No Go Zone" and Frankfurt the worst city of the EURO on the day itself. The publication labels the Bahnhof quarter as "the most dangerous slum in Germany," teeming with 5000 problematic substance users and 300 dealers.
The Origin of Zombieland
The term "Zombieland" perplexes most English fans. "I fail to comprehend where the Zombieland term comes from here," says a fan to the German Press Agency. "It's quite pleasant here." "Great food, great beer - I'll definitely return," adds another.
Estimated up to 50,000 fans from the island are anticipated in the lead-up, according to the police. Most of them are probable to have secured accommodation in various pubs right opposite the main station. Steve has been in Frankfurt since 2 am; he discovered the station and the surrounding environment a "haunting place" at that hour. In daylight, he finds it pleasing and praises the atmosphere.
Two other fans from Manchester find the drug issue discernible but not overly alarming. "There are some substance abusers at the station, but not that many," says one. "But they're everywhere, otherwise it's quite wonderful." The pub already drew numerous fans - even on a Wednesday, two from Birmingham were there with their beer gazing at the station. "It's a menacing place," says one of the two about the quarter. The drug users are everywhere. One feels apprehensive, "but they really don't bother me."
The Perils of Frankfurt
However, the risks in Frankfurt cannot be overlooked. The police is gearing up for potential riots and violence. The city's mayor, Peter Feldmann, has urged fans to behave and respect the locals. "We want a peaceful EURO," he said. The authorities have also warned of pickpockets and thefts. The German Football Association has advised fans to stay cautious and not to carry large amounts of cash or valuable items. The city's main station and the area around it are considered especially risky. Despite the warnings, many fans are excited about the party atmosphere and the thrill of the EURO.
The police consider the encounter a risky game. One should be fully prepared to respond to all scenarios. The police prioritize a de-escalating and communicate approach, as it's crucial to maintain peace. The Belgian and Slovakian teams squared off in the Metropolis on Monday. The Belgian police had issued a warning about the notorious district beforehand. The use of hard drugs, directly on the streets, is common there, and passersby are frequently harassed, said Jan Vanmaercke from the Belgian Police to the newspaper "Nieuwsblad."
Fans who traveled by train were advised to exit the quarter at the station as swiftly as possible and head 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 elicit head shaking. "That's just infuriating. In addition, it's disrespectful to call ill individuals zombies," says the gastronome and entrepreneur.
For him, the station quarter symbolizes diversity, life, and internationality. "Of course, it's problematic, clear, we don't want to sugarcoat it." But primarily, it's a vibrant diversity that there is probably nowhere else in Germany on such a small scale. And how can one counteract the problems? It's about 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 widened, the police presence was increased, the street cleaning was intensified, there are more public toilets, a new pavement and street paintings at the entrance to the district.
