From Graham Thomas in Dinard
Wales fans without tickets have been advised to stay away from Lens and the Euro 2016 clash with England.
Even though Wales manager Chris Coleman has voiced his sympathy for Welsh supporters who would like to make it to the French city to continue their own tournament party, the Football Association of Wales have urged them to go elsewhere.
It follows repeated violent scenes involving both English and Russian followers that have marred the tournament so far and appalled the French public.
FAW security staff have suggested Wales fans without tickets watch Thursday’s match in the nearby cities of Amiens and Arras. Fans who have tickets have also been advised to use those cities as a potential stopping-off point instead of heading to Lens or neighbouring Lille before the game.
Russia face Slovakia in Lille less than 24 hours before Wales meet England, leaving the potential for all four sets of fans to be on the streets of the city, which has a population of less than 37,000.
FAW national security officer Wayne Nash said: “We were encouraging Wales fans to go to Bordeaux, have a great time and enjoy the festival of football, but in terms of Lens if you haven’t got a ticket, then do not travel to Lens.
“The fanzone is very small compared to the 60,000 one in Bordeaux and it won’t be a good experience in the same way.”
He added: “We’re not saying not to go to Lille, but we know – because of close proximity to Eurostar – it could be dominated by England supporters, and then there is the Russia and Slovakia game the night before and we have got to be cognoscente of the events of the weekend. Everyone will have to have a personal risk assessment in a way.
“But on the way to Lens we have suggested to stop off at Amiens or Arras which are to the south of Lens, which would make sense for those coming from the south and both serve Lens directly by train.
“If you do intend to go, on the day or pre-game, we suggest them as the best places to go to enjoy it before making the final journey onto the game.
“We have been working with the British police – both the Welsh and English delegations – and UEFA to make it a game remembered for the right reasons. We have been over and met the prefect in Lens and we can see it will be a difficult venue to host such a big game and our advice all along to Welsh fans has been the same.”
There are hopes to avoid a repeat of the scenes witnessed in Marseille over the weekend, which saw widespread clashes involving England, Russia and Marseille supporters.
