Thousands of fans ditched face coverings to roar on England and Scotland at Wembley last night despite stadium rules saying they must be worn.
Pictures show the majority of supporters with masks below their chin or not being worn at all while singing and cheering on their team during the 0-0 Euros clash. UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations) stipulates on its website that face coverings should be worn over the nose and mouth at all times while attending a match at Wembley – unless medically exempt.
The administrative body also says that masks can be taken off while seated for eating and drinking.
Other Covid restrictions at the stadium include keeping a distance of at least 3.3ft (1m) to other fans, arriving within an allocated 30-minute time slot and avoiding hugs, high fives and any close contact with others. The images come after raucous clashes in central London last night, which saw 30 people arrested following the tense encounter at Wembley.
Many have questioned why Nicola Sturgeon allowed Scottish fans to travel south as she appealed for them to ‘stay safe’ on Friday and ‘be respectful to our hosts’ amid the spread of the Delta variant. As part of its Covid guidance for Euro 2020 matches at the stadium, UEFA states: ‘You will need to wear a face covering at all times, unless you are medically exempt.
‘Any type of face covering which safely covers mouth and nose is permitted. You can safely take if off while you’re seated to eat or drink.’ It adds: ‘If you’re exempt from wearing a face covering for medical reasons, you will not need to wear one at the stadium.
‘You must be in possession of a doctor’s certificate proving your exemption.
‘Please be ready to show it upon entry and also to security staff in the stadium as required.’
