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ENGLAND IN ZOMBIELAND
England fans at Euros told by Uefa to book hotels on street with zombie drug addicts in ‘Germany’s biggest slum’
One video shows a man being shot during a daytime gun fight
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CLUELESS football bosses are advising England fans at the Euros in Germany to stay in an area plagued by violent drug addicts dubbed “zombies”.
Uefa have earmarked hotels in Frankfurt’s railway station area, or Bahnhofsviertel, as the base for tens of thousands of Three Lions supporters.
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But it has been branded “the most dangerous slum in Germany” — with its streets packed with 5,000 shuffling junkies and 300 dealers.
Heroin and cocaine had been the traditional drugs of choice, but crystal meth and a new crack cocaine mixture has hit the streets.
A drug aid worker said: “It’s mixed together differently. It makes them angrier.”
Günter Tauber, former head of the command and situation service of the city police, said: “Aggression is increasing sharply. This new mixture causes users to lose control and they become more aggressive than ever.”
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The area is so bad that road sweepers are given police protection, two schools have begged for a dedicated security force and US firms have told employees to take taxis even for short trips.
Peter Postleb, adviser to the mayor when Frankfurt was a World Cup city in 2006, said pimps and dealers were indiscriminate and would attack even in broad daylight next to packed cafes.
The security consultant told The Sun: “I don’t think it’s OK of Uefa to make a recommendation for fans to stay in this area.
“Passers-by walking through the Bahnhofsviertel have been robbed and threatened.
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“Crack users who take it for a long time, they all have some kind of damage in their psyche and are very aggressive.
He added: “Situations can quickly escalate. As a passer-by, you unfortunately quickly come into conflict with the scene, which has become very aggressive. You are harassed and pushed.”
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Mr Postleb said the area went downhill during the pandemic when businesses and bars closed, allowing more space for junkies and dealers to move in.
He added: “Police are very aware of the problem. They have been carrying out raids recently, big raids, and the whole of Bahnhofsviertel has been cordoned off.
“I have no doubt they will step it up before the tournament.”
But they face a race against time — with Harry Kane and his teammates facing Denmark in a crucial group tie on June 20.
Uefa advice tells fans: “You’ll discover a variety of accommodation in close proximity to the Central Station or throughout the entire Bahnhofsviertel area.
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“From here, you can easily and conveniently access other key transportation hubs within the city.
“This makes Bahnhofsviertel an especially appealing choice if you’re considering trips to explore the city or its surroundings.”
DAYTIME GUN FIGHT
Yet half of all the crimes in Frankfurt are committed on just three streets in the area, with four violent attacks every day.
One video shows a man being shot during a daytime gun fight. In another, a pedestrian is knocked out with a single punch, then robbed of his wallet and possessions while he is sprawled on the ground.
James Monks, organiser of the England Supporters Club’s West Midlands branch, has followed the official advice and booked a room in the area.
The Wolves fan, 31, fumed: “It seems an odd decision from Uefa to recommend fans stay in such a dangerous area. I do wonder if Uefa executives will base themselves in Bahnhofsviertel!
“Hopefully the authorities will clean up the area in time but it doesn’t sound good.
“I just hope the thousands of England fans travelling to Germany remain safe.”
It seems an odd decision from Uefa to recommend fans stay in such a dangerous area.
Newcastle United fan David Airey, 39, a member of the England Supporters Travel Club, said: “Uefa must rectify their guidance immediately. As someone travelling to the Euros with my young son, it is worrying that Uefa are offering guidance without fully doing their research first.
“Their naivety in this situation could put unsuspecting fans and families in danger. The first they realise there may be problems could be when they arrive.
“By this time, it will almost certainly be too late to book somewhere else that is either available or not extortionately priced.”
Politicians have described the area as “the open wound of Frankfurt”.
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Cornelia Bensinger, from the Pro Altstadt association, said: “The gateway to the city looks like Harlem in the 1970s.”
A spokesman for the city said they would need until the end of the week to respond.
But Frankfurt Chief Supt Björn Thies insisted: “The Frankfurt police are on duty around the clock in the Frankfurt railway station area with numerous police officers from various departments, both in uniform and in civilian clothes.
“In addition to the daily presence, large-scale checks are carried out at regular intervals.”
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Uefa said: “Accommodation options indicated on the event guide are aligned with the host cities and reflect the offers provided on all major accommodation booking platforms.
“For any updates and further information, we also refer fans who plan to travel to Germany to the respective tourism pages of the respective cities or regions.”
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