The sight and sound of a crowd in the stadium at an international football tournament can provide the defining memory of that competition in the hearts and minds of supporters. You can’t picture the 2010 World Cup in South Africa without vuvuzelas – whether you want to or not.
But fans will have to find another way to create the atmosphere at Euro 2024 in Germany, as UEFA revealed the full list of items that will be banned at stadiums this summer.
What items are banned at Euro 2024?
If you’re still holding onto your vuvuzela from 14 years ago, then I’m afraid to say that you won’t be able to bring it to Euro 2024. Understandable, I suppose.
Less understandable is the revelation that supporters will be banned from bringing any and all food and drink into the stadiums. That includes water, and UEFA even specifically prohibit food “including fruit, such as apples, bananas, oranges, etc.” You are allowed to bring in certain foods for medical reasons, but you must apply in advance to do so.
Sausages will be on sale inside the ground for the reasonable price of £3.77 (£4.77 at the final), but it is hard to justify stopping supporters from bringing in a cereal bar or sandwich.
Those hoping that Germany’s more relaxed attitude to certain drugs will allow them to bring in cannabis will be disappointed, as it is also banned alongside all other drugs. Smoking and vaping are also prohibited, with e-cigarette refills also on the banned list.
As is to be expected, Nazi flags are banned from the tournament. Slightly more controversially, flags expressing support for Israel or Palestine are also not allowed.
Alongside these items are the usual: weapons, pyrotechnics, drones, ladders, laser pointers, whistles and megaphones are all also banned from the stadiums.
But fear not, Scotland fans – UEFA have approved the entry of bagpipes into the stadiums, provided they are registered with the SFA!
What is the punishment for trying to bring in a banned item?
There will be a strong steward and police presence at each of the 51 matches taking place at the tournament, and the punishment for being caught with any of the above items could be quite severe.
UEFA have warned that anyone guilty could face “expulsion from the stadium with a report to the police or a stadium ban for the whole or part of Euro 2024”.
It’s hard to picture someone being banned from the whole of the tournament for trying to bring in a banana, but I suppose you’ve been warned!