England Football Fans in Dublin To Be Monitored by British Police

British police will be in Dublin this weekend for the Nations League match between the Republic of Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium.

The game, which kicks off at 5pm on Saturday is a sell-out event, and authorities are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and orderliness of the occasion.

Officers from Britain will be present to observe English supporters traveling to Ireland, though they will not have any formal policing powers while in the country. 

However, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has confirmed that the British police could assist Gardaí in the event of any public disorder involving England fans.

Commissioner Harris also highlighted that certain individuals are on travel ban lists imposed by British police and the English FA, aimed at preventing known troublemakers from attending international matches.

The English Football Association has also issued warnings to fans making the trip, urging them to behave responsibly.

The increased presence comes in light of past incidents, most notably the violent clashes caused by a section of traveling supporters during a 1995 friendly between the Republic of Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, which led to the match being abandoned.

However, recent encounters between the two teams have been trouble-free. They met at Wembley in 2013 and 2020, and at the Aviva Stadium in 2015, with no significant incidents reported during these fixtures.

Authorities hope that this weekend's game will follow in the same vein, with fans enjoying the occasion peacefully.