FCInter1908 report (via GIFN) that the Prefect of Milan has banned the sale of alcoholic beverages ahead of the Champions League match between Inter Milan and Arsenal on Wednesday.
The ban will be in place from 8am to 8pm on November 6th in the Centro area of Milan, the Darsena, the Navigli, Corso Como, the Sempione area, and in the San Siro alongside surrounding areas from 12pm to midnight.
Given the Arsenal match kicks off at 9pm local time, the ban will effectively prevent fans from purchasing alcohol in Milan before the game.
Of course, it won’t be possible to stop fans bringing alcohol into the city from other regions, or stocking up on the Tuesday if they arrive early. But the Milan authorities are evidently hoping to at least slow the flow of alcohol in the city on Wednesday.
You’d imagine the reason for doing so relates to the reputation of English football fans in Europe, which certainly wasn’t helped by the 2021 Euros final between England and Italy.
Milan locals were likely watching closely as everything kicked off at Wembley that day, and that could be why Arsenal fans are now paying the price.
Inter have already faced off against one English club in the Champions League this season, playing Manchester City in their League Phase opener.
But the City game was away in Manchester, so the Milan authorities didn’t get the chance to give the City supporters the same treatment.
