Rennes. L’ambassade du Royaume-Uni publie des recommandations à l’usage des Gooners, les fans d’Arsenal FC

L’ambassade du Royaume-Uni à Paris a publié des recommandations à l’usage des Gooners, les fans d’Arsenal FC, qui sont arrivés en masse depuis mercredi (certains même depuis mardi) à Rennes, la capitale bretonne, avant le match Stade Rennais – Arsenal.

Pour nos lecteurs anglophones (ils sont nombreux !), voici les recommandations ci-dessous :

Advice for fans travelling to France for Arsenal’s match with Stade Rennais Football Club on Thursday 7 March

Date: Thursday 7 March 2019

Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes

Kick off time: 6.55pm (French time)

As well as this advice, please check out our travel advice for France and follow us on Twitter at @BritishinFrance

Passports and visas

Please check your passport details and ensure that it is valid.

• you will not need a visa to enter France
• your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay and you should carry your ID with you at all times
• if you lose your passport, or it is stolen, you will need to obtain an Emergency Travel Document from the nearest British Consulate. UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from France
• remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but also take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel. Even if you’re only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties

Getting to the stadium

• the stadium is at a 30-minute walk from the city centre of Rennes

At the match

• tickets will be sent by post to Arsenal fans. Details and specific instructions will be given by Arsenal to ticket holders to access the stadium
• all official Arsenal supporters (except VIPs and sponsors) will enter the stadium via Gate 14 and will be located in the upper and lower tiers of the East stand
• full body searches will be carried out by French police. The process will be thorough and time consuming
• the stadium opens 2 hours before kick-off, you are advised to arrive well before the start of match as ticket and security checks can take up to a good hour to complete before admittance to the visitors’ section
• supporters with disabilities are advised to arrive at the stadium no later than 2 hours before kick-off time
• no left-luggage facilities are available. Leave your articles on the coaches or at your hotel
• alcohol is banned inside the stadium
• if you appear drunk you may be refused entry to the stadium
• please note that Arsenal fans will be held back for around 30 minutes while the home supporters disperse

Tips

The following items are banned in the stadium and will be confiscated (and are unlikely to be returned):

• banners and flags displaying anything which can be construed as racist or homophobic
• flagpoles, sticks
• fireworks and flares
• alcoholic drinks, bottles, glasses, and cans
• megaphones and drums
• knives, belts, chains or any objects which can be thrown or used as a weapon

Smoking is not permitted in the stands.

Possession and use of recreational drugs is illegal in France and any infringement may result in arrest and imprisonment.

Emergency number: 112