The Football Association are to speak to UEFA after transport chaos marred England’s Euros opener.
Thousands were left waiting for trains into the early hours while others had to abandon public transport and walk four miles to the ground on foot from the fan park amid abysmal scenes in Gelsenkirchen.
Ahead of the game, representatives from the Football Supporters’ Association had to step in and plead with organisers to send shuttle buses to the fan park, which was at a racecourse on the outskirts of the city. With queues stretching to one-and-a-half-hours, many who believed they would not make it in time for kick-off abandoned the wait and set off on foot.
It was a similar picture post-match with an inadequate system clearly overwhelmed. More than three hours after the nervy 1-0 victory over Serbia, Gelsenkirchen’s main station was described as ‘bedlam’ while fans spoke of two-hour waits in pouring rain to get the tram to the city from the stadium.
With 50,000 present, a two-carriage tram arriving every 15 minutes was simply inadequate. No information was provided to those waiting who have been praised for their patience and restraint.
If England win the group, their path takes them back through Gelsenkirchen and FA officials are aware of the issues. While their options are limited, they are expected to relay detail of the problems to UEFA.
Similar experiences have already been reported across a tournament that is only three days’ old.
An FA spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of the issues our fans experienced in Gelsenkirchen last night and will ensure their feedback is passed on to the organisers. The FSA and police will do this too.'