England fans to be served full-strength German beer on Gelsenkirchen return in the last-16... after being hit by alcohol restrictions for Serbia game over hooligan fears

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England fans will not be subjected to the same alcohol restrictions – including low-strength beer – when they return to Gelsenkirchen for their last-16 match.

Earlier this month, when the Three Lions opened their Euros campaign in the city against Serbia, supporters could only buy 2.8 per cent pints with the match deemed ‘high risk’. However, aside from one incident outside a restaurant, the fixture passed off relatively peacefully.

England’s support has been praised throughout the tournament so far for its behaviour with few arrests, despite the huge numbers that have travelled to Germany. And when they head back to Gelsenkirchen for the knockout match on Sunday they will be able to buy full-strength ale and will not be limited to buying two drinks at a time.

The game with Serbia was designated ‘high risk’ with local police chief Peter Both warning of the prospect of ‘500’ Serbian hooligans turning up to cause trouble. That suggestion perplexed UK officers who have travelled to Germany to assist, and Gelsenkirchen police later admitted they did not have evidence to back the claim.

Fans groups reacted with dismay at the restrictions, with some pointing out the potentially damaging effect of them keeping England fans in local bars and delaying their arrival at the stadium.

England fans will not be subjected to alcohol restrictions on their return to Gelsenkirchen

Fans had been limited to low strength beer in Gelsenkirchen for their group stage opener

Supporters will not be limited to buying two drinks at a time like they opening fixture with Serbia

Indeed, one bar in the town reported that Three Lions supporters had sunk over two months’ worth of beer after starting to ‘pre-load’ at 9am, 12 hours before kick-off. Only one major flashpoint occurred, when two groups of fans fought at a restaurant where Serbia fans had congregated.

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It is hoped that the move will help ease the transport chaos endured by England’s supporters on their last visit. Following the 1-0 win, hundreds of fans were stranded at the city’s station deep into the early hours with the Football Supporters’ Association branding the situation ‘ridiculous’ and highlighting ‘dangerous overcrowding’. Earlier in the evening many missed kick-off thanks to inadequate links from the racecourse fan zone to the stadium.

The FSA hailed the behaviour of those impacted, adding: ‘It was those same England fans who were singled out for a supposed ban on public alcohol consumption in parts of the city centre, a measure that the FSA had warned was unnecessary and potentially counter-productive.’

UEFA are expected to confirm the alcohol restrictions will not be repeated in the near future. However, it remains to be seen whether improvements will be made to transport provision for the clash.