Following Scotland in Europe? You’ll be needing a breath test
THEY have a well- earned reputation for enjoying a drink.
After s ome of the recent performances on the pitch, Scotland fans could be forgiven for overindulging.
But it appears the Tartan Army’s partying could be curtailed ahead of one of their next matches – as they face being breath tested before going into the ground.
Fans have been warned they could be turned away if they are over the limit at their crucial game against Gibraltar in Portugal.
Gordon Strachan’s side travel to Faro for their last game in the European Championship qualifiers next month.
If Scotland avoid defeat against Poland at Hampden and Ireland lose to world champions Germany, the game will give the Scots a chance of making the play-offs.
The Tartan Army will descend on Portugal in huge numbers, with 8,000 tickets sold. But any Scotland fan who hits the booze could face a shock at the Estadio do Algarve.
The Gibraltar FA has warned travelling fans that Portuguese police may breath test supporters who are under the influence of alcohol and refuse them entry.
On its travel advice section, it states: ‘Anyone noticeably under the influence
‘It is the law in Portugal’
of drinks or drugs will not be afforded entry into the stadium.
‘Please be aware that not only is this a stadium/UEFA requirement but it is also law in Portugal. Please be advised that you may be subject to a breathalyser test on entry to the stadium.’
In 1993 two football fans were jailed in Portugal after being accused of playing football in the nude on a beach at the resort of Albufeira in the Algarve.
David Beddoe, then 32, and Graeme McDonald, then 31, were in a crowd of up to 60 Scottish fans who were celebrating before Scotland played Portugal in a World Cup qualifying game in Lisbon.
The pair, f rom Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, were later released.
The Gibraltar FA has not made clear what the breath test limit will be. But when English football trialled a scheme last May in a game between Cambridge United and Burton Albion, any fan giving a sample of 70 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – twice the English drink drive limit – was refused admission.
Hamish Husband, spokesman for the West of Scotland Tartan Army, is confident fans will behave.
He said: ‘I would like to thank the Portuguese police for helping make sure that Scotland fans will remember what will be a resound- ing victory against Gibraltar. There have been times where some of the fans have perhaps had a few too many and end up missing half the match, or not remembering much of it.
‘I’m sure that there will be no problem with fans enjoying a few drinks, but the police are saying that people who are really drunk and come to their attention will be refused entry.
‘It is definitely worth fans taking note and making sure that they get to enjoy the match.’
SFA chiefs would not comment on the matter because it is not their home game and policing and security is being provided by the Gibraltar FA and the Portuguese authorities.
But they will include the information in security and guidelines notes sent out to travelling fans before every Scotland away game.