The Federal Police warns Diables Rouges supporters against going to Lille Friday before for the match against the Country of Wales and instead encourages them to watch the match from home. The fan zone in Lille can hold 20,000 spectators, but the metropolitan area expects many more. Police has also reminded fans that firecrackers and alcohol are prohibited on the street. The exact number of Belgians who will make to trip to Lille for the match between Diables Rouges and the Country of Wales on Friday at 21:00 is unknown, but municipal authorities expect a surge of black, yellow and red in the city centre. “We are talking about approximately 160,000 Belgium supporters,” said the press attaché of the European Metropolitan Area of Lille, Julie Cousein. “If there are too many people in the fan zone, we will close it for security reasons,” she added.
Supporters should moreover consider long queues, given that the security measures taken following the attacks in Paris are also in force in the area of Lille. “The city is expecting a large number of fans, many of which will likely have to return home, possibly missing the match. In order not to take risks, it’s best to watch the game on a big screen in Belgium,” recommended the Federal Police.
Those who nevertheless decide to go to Lille must be aware that alcohol is not authorized in public streets and firecrackers are forbidden. Checks will be made at the border and at Lille. Police also suggests motorists not to return via highway E42 in the direction of Tournai following the match, but rather to take E19 towards Mons and/or E17 in the direction of Courtrai.
(Source: Belga)
