Euro 2020: Italy bans EVERYONE who was in the UK in last two weeks from attending England v Ukraine

Italy has banned anyone who has been in the UK in the last two weeks from attending England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final clash with Ukraine.

Its embassy in London today confirmed that those who have been in Britian in the past fortnight will not be allowed into Rome’s Stadio Olympico – even if they have a ticket.

Officials say the rule is ‘irrespective of nationality or residency’ and warned anyone found flouting the rules ahead of Saturday’s match would be ‘punished’.

In a further blow to optimistic Three Lions fans, Italy has also shut off any potential loopholes in the legislation – including by driving into the country or flying indirectly.

The move comes after Italy placed a five-day quarantine on arrivals from the UK, amid fears about the spread of the Delta variant.

But it means England supporters – who only found out their side would play in Rome after winning on Tuesday – will not be able to complete self-isolation before the next match.

Ukraine fans will also not be allowed to attend, because all non-essential travel from the Ukraine to Italy is banned under Italian law.

The Italian Embassy in London said in a statement today: ‘As the England-Ukraine football match approaches this Saturday, we would like to highlight that, according to the current Italian legislation, anybody who has been in the UK in the previous 14 days, irrespective of nationality or residency will not be admitted to the stadium, even if they have a ticket.

Italy has banned everyone who was in the UK in the last two weeks from attending England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final clash with Ukraine. Pictured: Harry Kane scores the second goal in England’s win over Germany on Tuesday night

Its embassy in London said no one who was in Britain at any point in the past fortnight would be allowed into the Stadio Olympico - even if they have a ticket

Its embassy in London said no one who was in Britain at any point in the past fortnight would be allowed into the Stadio Olympico – even if they have a ticket

Officials said it was 'irrespective of nationality or residency' and warned anyone found to flout the rules would be 'punished'

Officials said it was ‘irrespective of nationality or residency’ and warned anyone found to flout the rules would be ‘punished’

Are you an expat or able to go to the game another way? 

We want to hear from you!

Contact me: james.robinson@mailonline.co.uk 

‘Only those who can prove that they have arrived in Italy at least six days previously have observed five days of quarantine, and have taken a post-quarantine Covid-19 test with a negative result, will be allowed into the Stadio Olympico.

‘Being exempt from quarantine in Italy for any legal reasons will not translate into permission to enter the stadium.’

‘Anyone who is found to be failing to observe quarantine will be punished as laid down by law.’ 

Meanwhile, The FA has said it will not sell any of the 2,500 tickets made available for England fans to anyone with a UK address.

They have handed their allocation back to UEFA, who are working with the British embassy in Rome to ensure the tickets are sold exclusively to ex-pat supporters.

Under Italy’s border controls all arrivals from the UK have to isolate for five days in a hotel or private residence making it impossible for them to attend the quarter-final tie at the Stadio Olimpico.

Meanwhile, anyone tempted to make the trip would also have to isolate for 10 days at home upon their return.

A further deterrent is provided by the Italian government’s stringent policing of the regulations, with fines of up to £2,500 on individuals found to have broken the rules.

In a statement issued to the England Supporters Travel Club the FA confirmed that no tickets will be made available to their members.

‘Unfortunately the FA will not be selling any tickets via the ESTC for this fixture given the travel restrictions in place across both countries, and as such are working with Uefa and the British embassy in Italy to facilitate as many ticket sales to English residents in Italy as possible,’ it read.

The Government moved to reinforce that message by asking fans to stay at home.

‘We’re asking fans to watch from home and to cheer the team on as loudly as you can,’ Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said.

‘I think the challenge is can they hear us from Rome? And I’m sure we’ll take up that opportunity to be as supportive as we can of our amazing England team.’

England’s expat army to the rescue as fans living in Europe snap up tickets for Rome clash with Ukraine – because they are exempt from Italy’s Covid restrictions

By Rachael Bunyan for MailOnline

England’s expats living in Europe have snapped up tickets to the Three Lion’s crunch Euro 2020 match with Ukraine in Rome as quarantine rules means fans in the UK are banned from travelling. 

Britons living in countries including Malta, France and Germany managed to get tickets to fill up the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday with fellow supporters in the UK forced to miss the game because they would need to self-isolate for five days. 

Meanwhile, expats living in Dubai were also able to get seats at the stadium after taking advantage of a bilateral travel corridor that opened between United Arab Emirates and Italy earlier this month.

The England fans living in Europe were able to buy their tickets on social media from Brits living in the UK who will have to watch the game from their home or beer gardens.  

Under Italy’s Covid rules, arrivals from the EU or countries such as Dubai can enter freely if they have either been fully vaccinated, recovered from the virus or presented a negative Covid test less than 48 hours old. 

But for visitors from Britain, they are subject to a five-day quarantine after presentation of a negative test. A second test is required after quarantine. 

As the quarter-final in Rome takes place on Saturday, fans have no time to quarantine for the required five days and still be able to attend the game – even if they do test negative. 

Britons living in countries including Malta, France and Germany managed to get tickets to fill up the Stadio Olimpico (pictured) on Saturday with fellow supporters in the UK forced to miss the game because they would need to self-isolate for five days

Britons living in countries including Malta, France and Germany managed to get tickets to fill up the Stadio Olimpico (pictured) on Saturday with fellow supporters in the UK forced to miss the game because they would need to self-isolate for five days

England's expats living in Europe have snapped up tickets to the Three Lion's crunch Euro 2020 match with Ukraine in Rome as quarantine rules means fans in the UK are banned from travelling. Pictured: England fans in Wembley stadium as they celebrate their win against Germany on June 29

England’s expats living in Europe have snapped up tickets to the Three Lion’s crunch Euro 2020 match with Ukraine in Rome as quarantine rules means fans in the UK are banned from travelling. Pictured: England fans in Wembley stadium as they celebrate their win against Germany on June 29

The England fans living in Europe were able to buy their tickets on social media from Brits living in the UK who will have to watch the game against Ukraine from their home or beer gardens. Pictured: Ukraine fans before their match against Austria on June 21

The England fans living in Europe were able to buy their tickets on social media from Brits living in the UK who will have to watch the game against Ukraine from their home or beer gardens. Pictured: Ukraine fans before their match against Austria on June 21

David McAdam, a tech worker who lives in Malta, said he managed to buy two tickets from an England fan living in the UK on Twitter ‘within five minutes’. 

‘I decided to try and go this morning,’ McAdam told The Telegraph . ‘I can’t think of a better way to spend my weekend.’ 

Another lucky England fan has said he will be attending the match on Saturday in Rome without fear of Covid quarantine as he will be travelling from Germany.

Luke Curner, who lives in Helmstedt but is originally from Folkestone, Kent, bought the tickets in 2019 as the match fell on his birthday weekend – which it still does despite rescheduling.

‘I’m excited to be seeing England in a major championship but at the same time I’m sad that it won’t have the same atmosphere due to the lack of English supporters being allowed to travel,’ the 36-year-old German language student said.

‘I’m very lucky to be in an EU country allowing me to travel with few restrictions. It was great watching the game in Germany, although my whole neighbourhood knows I must be English and my wife hates me for waking our children up when England scored – luckily I am taking her to Rome for the match so she can’t hate me for too long.’  

Mary Handley, who is originally from Halifax but has lived in Italy for around 40 years, said there was now ‘quite an army’ who would show up to cheer on England. 

‘There’s a big network of English residents in Italy and you can travel (within Italy) pretty easily,’ she said. 

‘I think the expats will respond to this, especially as the expat community tends to be, how can I put this, in the older bracket, so we probably all have our Italian vaccinations and we can get into the stadium without jumping through any more hoops.

Handley said the reported estimate of the 30,000 British expats in Italy ‘seems pretty low’ and added: ‘I do think there’s quite an army out there that might show up.’ 

However, for many England fans living in the UK, they have been left disappointed by Italy's Covid rules

However, for many England fans living in the UK, they have been left disappointed by Italy’s Covid rules

Vadym Prystaiko said supporters will fly into Italy for the match on Saturday because they are a 'green zone' travel country due to a lack of Covid cases there

Vadym Prystaiko said supporters will fly into Italy for the match on Saturday because they are a ‘green zone’ travel country due to a lack of Covid cases there

In reference to his side's game against Sweden in Scotland on June 29, he said: 'I was actually surprised yesterday how many of us were here at the Glasgow stadium'

In reference to his side’s game against Sweden in Scotland on June 29, he said: ‘I was actually surprised yesterday how many of us were here at the Glasgow stadium’

Can England fans travel to Rome for Euro 2020 quarter-final?  

England’s 2-0 victory over Germany booked them a slot in the Euro 2020 quarter finals in Rome – but don’t go booking yourself a city break just yet.

Italy’s Covid-19 restrictions mean that most England fans will struggle to get to the showdown with Ukraine.

Here is what you need to know before jumping on a plane.

– I just want to be in Rome, can I book a flight?

Before you splash the cash, bear in mind you have to have proof of a negative coronavirus test taken in the 48 hours before you travel.

Upon arrival, UK passengers must fill in one the of the European Union’s passenger locator forms, before hunkering down for five days of isolation.

Even if you touch down first thing on Wednesday, the earliest you will be out is Sunday – subject to a second Covid-19 test – meaning you will probably be watching the game from a hotel room.

– Are there any exceptions?

The only way you are likely to avoid the isolation requirement is if you are a member of transport crew, or can prove that you are in Italy for ‘work, health or emergency’.

If you fall into any of those categories, you can enter Italy but must leave within five days.

Passengers transiting through the country are also exempt, as long as they have left Italy within 36 hours, as are EU officials, diplomats and international students returning to study.

– If things had been different, would the German fans have had the same trouble?

No. Germany is participating in the EU digital Covid-19 certificate scheme.

The scheme proves that the carrier has been vaccinated against the virus, or that they have returned a negative test in the 48 hours before travel.

As long as the traveller then fills out the EU passenger locator form, they would be free to enter Italy without five days of quarantine.

– What if I decide to flout the rules?

Breaking the rules could be pricey; anyone caught trying to end their five day quarantine period without proof of a negative test risks a 450 euros fine (£386), the Times reported.

Those who skip quarantine all together could face a much tougher penalty – last year, Italy introduced fines of 3,000 euros (£2,580) for anyone who even tried to travel between regions, let alone cross its borders.

– If I can get myself there, where can I get a ticket?

That could be tricky. The FA has said it will not be selling tickets for the match to the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) – the official body of away support – due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Instead it is hoping to get as many as tickets to England expats in Italy to make sure the team isn’t playing in front of silent stands on Saturday, the Guardian reported.

The statement said: ‘Unfortunately, the FA will not be selling any tickets via the ESTC for this fixture given the travel restrictions in place across both countries, and as such are working with Uefa and the British embassy in Italy to facilitate as many ticket sales to English residents in Italy as possible.’

– What do I have to do on my way home?

Fans who overcome all obstacles to get themselves to Rome by Saturday will still have to self-isolate for 10 days upon return, as Italy is on the UK’s amber list.

Returning travellers will have to book a Covid-19 test for day two and day eight of their quarantine before flying.

Passengers can also use the ‘test to release’ scheme where they pay for a private Covid-19 swab on day five of their quarantine – if the results on both day two and day five are negative, you can end your quarantine.

The Government website says people should not travel to amber list countries or territories.

There was a mad rush for tickets from expats this week. The British Embassy in Rome even released a statement saying it was not selling tickets for the quarter-final game after being swamped by calls from British expats living in Italy. 

However, for many England fans living in the UK, they have been left disappointed by Italy’s Covid rules.   

Warrick Howard, from Leicestershire, purchased tickets through the ballot system in 2019 for 140 euros each, but his plans for the match have been curtailed by Italy’s five-day quarantine requirement for UK arrivals.

‘Given the huge push to have everyone vaccinated there were ways of making this work for fans attending this tournament, but Uefa and the EU have made no effort to do so,’ the 37-year-old said.

‘I guess they were too busy organising thousands of ‘no quarantine required’ exemptions for their couple of thousand VIPs. I thought about flying out to Italy on Sunday June 27 and doing my five-day quarantine in an AirBnB apartment so I’d be free for the game if England did make it through… but that would have required a week off work.’ 

On Wednesday, a source told The Telegraph that the British Embassy in Italy would promote the sale on its social media channels. 

The Football Association (FA) had originally been given 2,560 tickets for the match, which will mean those cheering for England in attendance will make just 16 per cent of the agreed 16,000 capacity at the Stadio Olimpico in the Italian capital.

But on Wednesday, the FA handed back those tickets to UEFA who agreed to sell them to British fans who do not live in the UK.    

Downing Street has also urged fans not to travel to Rome for England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final tie with Ukraine on Saturday as Italy is on the amber list, which means anyone who has travelled to the country has to self-isolate for 10 days on their return to Britain. 

And travel experts also warned fans against trying to take advantage of loopholes, including for business, because they risk watching the game from their hotel rooms and even missing the semi-final and final. 

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘People should not be travelling to amber list countries.

‘Obviously we appreciate how fans will want to do everything possible to support the England team but we do need to balance that against the need to protect public health.

‘We would urge everyone to comply with the guidelines and rules that we have in place.’ 

Commenting on the ticket chaos on Tuesday morning, as many expats rushed to buy tickets, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK taunted England supporters who are banned from travelling to Italy for the huge match.

Vadym Prystaiko bragged his supporters could get into the country ‘easier’ and claimed there are ‘close to a million’ Ukrainians working and studying in Italy who could be piling into the Stadio Olympico in Rome.

‘We have so many Ukrainians to support them,’ he said. ‘We already have so many of them working and studying in Italy, the number I believe is close to a million people.’

Expats in Dubai have revealed their hopes of cheering on the national team from the stadium on Saturday.  

One fan wrote on Twitter: ‘It’s okay, plenty of expats heading from Dubai since we can’t go home but can go to Italy!’ Another added: ‘Dubai-Rome-Dubai on Saturday is feeling very tempting.’

The UAE and Italy signed a bilateral travel corridor which opened at the start of this month, meaning passengers do not have to quarantine on arrival.

All flyers have to have a rapid Covid test two days before they leave and if they test negative can move into the country without hassle.

But if their result comes back positive then they have to isolate at a quarantine hotel in the country like other passengers.

It means Britons who live in the UAE or have been there for the past two weeks can fly into Rome and attend the game on Saturday if they test negative.

Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan urged people not to travel from the UK. She said: ‘The ask is to watch from home and to cheer on the team as loud as we can.

‘I think the challenge is can they hear us from Rome and I am sure we will take up that opportunity to be as supportive as we can of our amazing England team.’

Travel experts also warned against anyone trying to game the system and get to Rome from the UK for Saturday’s match.

And in a blow for any Britons tempted to try loopholes, it was reported on Wednesday that the Italian authorities were tightening up their borders.

La Repubblica said officials were working to ‘intensify’ restrictions on motorways going into the country to stop England fans from sneaking in.

The newspaper said the Interior Ministry in Italy was working on strengthening controls at airports, stations and roads to thwart any rulebreakers – as well as handing any offenders a €450 (£386) fine.    

‘It must be remembered that, in order to fight against the delta variant, there is a five-day quarantine rule in place for everyone coming from Great Britain, and this must be respected,’ warned Alessio D’Amato, health councillor for Lazio region. 

Head of The Points Guy UK Nicky Kelvin told MailOnline: ‘For those looking to head to Rome for England’s match against Ukraine this Saturday, it won’t be as easy as jumping on the next flight.

‘Italy currently requires all UK arrivals to take a test within 48 hours of departure and then isolate for five days and fill out an online digital form.

‘You must test again at the end of the five days to release from quarantine. The quarantine will be ten days if a negative test can’t be provided on arrival.

‘So, even if you board your flight today, you will still have to isolate until Monday – meaning you’ll be watching the game from your hotel room.

‘It’s also important to note Italy is currently on the amber list – meaning that although it isn’t against the law, the UK government discourages travel to and from such destinations.

‘Upon your return in the UK you will need a test before flying, tests booked and paid for on day 2 and day 8, complete a passenger locator form and isolate at home for 10 days.

‘There is the opportunity to use the ‘test to release’ scheme on day five of your quarantine for an extra cost.

‘If Italy is added to the red list, which looks unlikely, you could even have to undergo a hotel quarantine for 10 days at a price of £1750 per person.

‘With the need to quarantine both on arrival and return, you’re much better off watching the match on home.

‘If you’ve got your heart set on heading to Rome – you could even lose your chance of watching England in the semi-final (or even the final) if they win this weekend back at Wembley in July.’

England crushed Germany 2-0 at his first international football match - as an estimated 25 million fans tuned in to watch the Three Lions storm to a glorious victory (the team, celebrating) on the pitch

England crushed Germany 2-0 at his first international football match – as an estimated 25 million fans tuned in to watch the Three Lions storm to a glorious victory (the team, celebrating) on the pitch

England football fans celebrate the opening goal in the England vs Germany game at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, Birmingham. The England fans will have to continue watching from a beer garden for the match on Saturday against Ukraine in Rome

England football fans celebrate the opening goal in the England vs Germany game at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, Birmingham. The England fans will have to continue watching from a beer garden for the match on Saturday against Ukraine in Rome 

Paul Charles from the PC Agency added: ‘If you’ve been in UK in last 14 days you can’t enter Italy unless special exemption applied – e.g. journalist/Gary Lineker! But then you would have to quarantine in the UK on your return from Italy.

‘So if in France for the last 15 days you can go into Italy. Can UEFA not get special exemption from Italian government for England fans in the same way they have got exemption for entering UK for sponsors?’

Despite the woe for England fans, the Ukrainians appeared jubilant at the Italy destination as the country’s ambassador to the UK claimed on Wednesday they can get there in time for Saturday.

Mr Prystaiko told the BBC: ‘Sorry to say but our people will find it easier travelling in. We are in the green zone for Europeans and we have so many Ukrainians to support them.’

In reference to his side’s game against Sweden in Scotland on Tuesday night, he said: ‘I was actually surprised yesterday how many of us were here at the Glasgow stadium.

‘We already have so many of them working and studying in Italy, numbers I believe is close to a million people. I don’t believe all of them will come to Rome, but we will have significant numbers to support our football team.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk