A recent England match at Wembley sparked frustration among home fans as large groups of Albanian supporters were spotted sitting in sections meant for England fans.
The situation has led the Football Association (FA) to take action, reinforcing rules about wearing away team colors in home stands.
Albania Fans in England Sections—What Happened?
During England’s comfortable 2-0 victory, hundreds of Albanian fans were seen wearing their national team’s colors in areas designated for England supporters.
While there were no major incidents, many England fans took to social media to express their annoyance, with some calling it a “takeover.”
FA Plans to Crack Down on Away Colors in Home Stands
In response, the FA is now set to send clearer warnings to ticket holders.
Anyone found wearing away team colors in England’s designated areas could face ejection from the stadium.
The FA had already worked with Albanian officials before the match, providing them with 5,600 seats—one of the largest allocations for an away team at Wembley.
Why Were So Many Albania Fans in England Sections?
One reason for the unexpected number of Albanian supporters in home sections is the ticketing process.
To buy a seat in England’s area, fans only needed to provide proof of an English address.
Given the significant Albanian community in the UK, it was relatively easy for many to secure tickets.
Additionally, while England matches at Wembley typically sell out, the stadium’s massive 90,000-seat capacity means tickets are often available, making it possible for away fans to slip into home sections.
Security and Future Preventative Measures
Security officials were prepared for the situation and estimated that fewer than 1,000 Albanian supporters managed to get into England sections.
Moving forward, the FA plans to strengthen its policies, including sending out clearer pre-match warnings and ensuring rules are printed on all tickets.
Fans on social media voiced their frustration, with one user posting, “Can we stop letting away fans get tickets in the home end? Albania are taking over Wembley!” Another added, “Absolutely tonnes of Albania fans in the home ends.”
What’s Next?
England’s next match, against Latvia, isn’t expected to have the same issue.
However, with increasing concerns over ticketing and security, the FA is determined to ensure that home matches truly feel like home games for England supporters moving forward.