EURO 2024 is set to be the wokest tournament yet with vegan food, unisex toilets, gender-neutral searches – and floodlights switched off STRAIGHT after final whistles.
UEFA is implementing the changes as part of a major “diversity and inclusion” drive and has outlined its moves in a 36-page edict.
Tournament organisers have demanded all stadiums in Germany have unisex toilets and offer up “healthy” vegan food – despite being in meat-mad Germany.
Gender-neutral security means fans will be allowed to pick who searches them.
In other major moves, floodlights will be used sparingly outside game action – and staff at stadia will even have their electricity consumption limited.
England fan Danny Moss, 38, of Nottingham, is heading to Germany on Saturday and has tickets for the group stages.
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He said: “I suppose this is football in 2024 for you. It will be a very different feel to previous tournaments, that’s for sure.
“I actually don’t mind vegan food, but I hope the usual burgers and pies will be on offer too, as well as some German sausage, which I’m really looking forward to trying at the games.
“As for picking who searches you – can you imagine that at some of the tougher grounds in England?
“The same goes for gender-neutral toilets. It is hard to picture happening back home, but I guess this is what they call progress, and they will come in one day.
“It all sounds very ‘woke’, and I’m not quite sure how England fans cope with it all to be honest. But we like to have a laugh and I’m sure everyone will just take it in their stride.”
“Reporting points” will be set up for spectators to record incidents of discrimination and staff working at Euro 2024 must “advocate diversity and inclusion”.
Uefa’s Euro 2024 Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy states: “Environmental aspects are one of the core priorities for the organisation of the event.
“As an organiser, we are aware that the organisation of such a major event, gathering football stakeholders and fans from all over the world, involves a significant footprint.
“We are therefore determined to be part of the solution to reduce as much as possible our impacts on the environment.”
A Uefa spokesman said: “Gender-neutral entrances represent one dedicated channel at the stadium entrance, where ticket holders can decide if the security check is performed by a male or female steward and no questions will be asked.
“Male and female stewards voluntarily agreed to search people of any sex or gender identity.
“Gender neutral public toilets can be used by people of any sex or gender identity.”
Germany will secure the opening Euros game with a robust ring of steel made up of thousands of armed cops to shield against potential attacks.
Security expert Will Geddes, who has worked with Premier League clubs, told The Sun 22,000 cops will be dispatched for today’s match alone.
The UEFA Euro 2024 championship presents a “wide spectrum of potential risks and issues” amid a “very high level of risk” from ISIS, he warned.
Will explained that the country’s special forces, intelligence services and armed police will be called up to help prepare for and defend against any possible attacks.
Crowds will be monitored closely under widespread CCTV, AI, the watchful eye of “super spotters” and plain-clothed officers, he said.
Will, who leads a team of security experts at International Corporation Protection (ICP), closely monitors ISIS chatter.
Working with analysts who have experience in military, intelligence and law enforcement, his team have seen ISIS make “very specific references to Germany”.
The prolific death cult has hurled out repeated threats against events like the Euros, Champions League and Paris Olympics in recent months.
Will explained that the mammoth security op will range from snipers spread around the stadium to “super spotters” hidden in amongst the public.
“There’s going to be a number of different layers of security”, he said.
“You have some 22,000 federal police that will be assigned particularly to the games… including hostile behaviour detection personnel.
“These are specialists looking for those indicators for individuals that may have malintent.”
Scotland crumbled before a blistering display from Germany as Steve Clarke’s 10-man team lost badly in Munich to start Euro 2024.
After barely ten minutes, Florian Wirtz waltzed on to the ball to steer in the first goal, setting the tone in an electrifying Allianz Arena.
Nine minutes later, Jamal Musiala’s fierce strike nearly tore through Angus Gunn’s net and the hearts of the startled Scots behind the goal.
And with Ryan Porteous’ red card, Kai Havertz scored the third goal from the spot just before the half ended, leaving Scotland with the highest mountains to climb.
After Antonio Rudiger’s own goal deflected late in the game, Germany’s fourth goal was scored by replacement Niclas Fullkrug, who struck high into the goal.
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The suffering Scotland supporters were ecstatic at the strike, but as the game approached injury time, Emre Can silenced them.
That made it certain that this would be the largest victory in a Euros opening game.
‘Acute’ terrorist threat across Europe
By Jessica Baker, Foreign News Reporter
THE threat of terrorism to the security of Europe is “acute”, the EU’s law enforcement agency has warned.
Europol said the top concern of EU countries is “jihadist terrorism” and foreign terrorist fighters who travel from conflict zones.
Some fear the terror group ISIS could be looking to leverage conflict in the Middle East to launch a fresh of attacks across Europe.
Ten jihadist attacks have been foiled by cops in Europe in the past 12 months alone, according to Dutch intelligence agency AIVD.
The agency claimed attacks planned and intercepted included stabbing rampages at major events and assaults on specific groups and venues.
Israel’s spy agency meanwhile alleged Iranian terror cells are plotting attacks across the continent ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The Olympics chief has promised a ring of steel at the Games’ opening ceremony and insisted “security is the priority” to ensure the safety of an expected 15 million fans and more than 10,000 athletes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
