Three Lions firepower in defence ..of WAGS
Top security agents to guard families at secret villas
THE England WAGs will spend Euro 2016 holed up in secret locations following fears they could be targeted by terrorists.
The players’ families have been told that they can travel to France for the tournament but they will not be allowed in the team hotel in Chantilly.
Gun-toting members of France’s GIGN – the nation’s special ops police – will guard the squad and extra security has now been taken on for their families.
Top security agents will watch over them at private villas in the countryside and they have been told in an FA briefing to be wary of what they post on social media.
The WAGs expected to travel include skipper Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen, Joe Hart’s missus Kimberly, and Rebekah Vardy – who wed Leicester City ace Jamie last month.
A source said: “There’s been an intense security briefing and the arrangements should ensure players’ families are kept safe at all times, so that the guys can focus completely on the football.
“It’s a very tense time and nobody is taking any chances. The wives and girlfriends will be made fully aware of the risks and dangers, and the advice has been to avoid anything which could potentially increase that risk.
“The biggest thing is keeping their locations under wraps. They’re going to be staying out of the way in low-key places, and the official transport and security staff will ensure the players are able to travel to see them in safety.”
The tournament kicks off on Friday and the Three Lions squad will be staying at the Auberge du Jeu Paume hotel in the grounds of the Chateau de Chantilly.
Players will be chauffeured to meet their families in designated time slots determined by manager Roy Hodgson after each of their games.
Earlier in the year, Hodgson revealed he would allow players’ families to attend the tournament because he felt a more relaxed approachap would help boost their p performances. H He said: “I trust the players, I think they do their work anda when they are not working, they are still thinking and preparing for games.g I don’t want to lock t them away.”
But many of the WAGs in intend to travel to France just for games, then jet home after each meeting with their fellas. The arrangements will ensure that there is no repeat of the scenes at the infamous 2006 World Cup in Germany, where the players’ partners attracted huge amounts of attention in Baden-Baden.
But Rebekah Vardy recently told the People the attitude is now very different, adding: “It’s to be there to support him, not to join a fashion parade.”