Manchester United and Tottenham fans will be given freedom to roam in Bilbao, despite the region employing the ‘strictest security controls’ for the Europa League final.
That’s according to El Correo, who continue to cover the security plans for the Europa League final and explain what Manchester United and Tottenham fans can expect in Bilbao when they travel over.
The newspaper explains today that security advisor Bingen Zupiria has promised that while their plan is to ensure Manchester United and Tottenham fans do not meet at the entrances to San Mames, they will not face any restrictions in the rest of the city.
Travelling fans will be given freedom to roam as they wish before the final, with it understood that relations between Tottenham and Manchester United fans are good. ‘Hooligans’ looking to disrupt the party are not expected.
The plan is to have two separate fan zones in distinct, separate locations in the city. Tottenham fans will be sent to the Amezola area of the city, while Manchester United fans have been given Etxebarria Park. There will be an official UEFA Fan Zone at the Arenal stadium.
Movement around the stadium will be more restricted, with some hospitality establishments even expected to close. Some bars have already expressed disappointment at that after being forced to close previously.
But the hope is that fans will mingle appropriately, with the match not deemed high risk by UEFA either despite tens of thousands of ticketless fans expected to travel.
“All English fans will be free to move around Bilbao and mingle if they wish,” Zupiria stated.
“The Ertzaintza officials were more afraid of other fans than these. We have an opportunity for the thousands of people who will visit us to leave with a wonderful impression.
Here, everyone who visits us will have freedom of movement to move around the city if they want to mingle with the other fans. The most critical moment, which is the one we must take care of, is access to and inside the stadium.”
