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Euro2020: Where do the Welsh stand with Amsterdam?

The letter urges the UK Government to instigate instead a dual system

Wales fans will not be allowed to travel from the UK to Amsterdam to support their team against Denmark in the next round of Euro 2020, according to the country’s health minister.

Eluned Morgan said police in the Dutch city had said they will not be “letting fans into the country”.

The Netherlands is on the UK’s amber list, meaning travel is not advised, while the UK is not on the list of safe countries compiled by the Netherlands which hosts the last 16 game on Saturday.

Small numbers of Welsh supporters were allowed at their earlier games in Baku, Azerbaijan, and in Rome where they played Italy.

Speaking at Monday’s Welsh government coronavirus briefing, Baroness Morgan said: “We have had some guidance from the police in Amsterdam who have told us that they will not be letting Welsh fans into the country.

“And so that means that we would encourage you of course to stay here and watch the matches carefully.

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“If local authorities come forward and ask us for the setting up of fan zones, then of course we will as a government consider that and publish guidelines for how that could be done in a safe way.”

She said the government was “far more keen” to see people watching the match outdoors if possible, rather than indoors.

“If we can do that in a controlled setting, then that would be much better than people going into other people’s homes.”

Football Supporters’ Association Cymru chairman Vince Alm said fans had been treated like “second-class citizens”.

“It’s very, very disappointing that we weren’t made aware of this at the start of the competition,” Mr AIm said.

“I think Uefa should have looked at these venues and made sure there was a level playing field.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford previously urged Wales fans not to travel to Wales’ group games in Azerbaijan and Italy.

Baroness Morgan added she watched scenes of football fans mixing in England “with horror” at the weekend.

England and Scotland fans gathered in spots in London, including Leicester Square.

“I was watching those scenes with horror on the weekend seeing quite so many people mix in some parts of England,” she said.

“We want to avoid that if we can, and that’s why we will consider proposals from local authorities for fan zones that can be safely regulated.”

However Wales fans who were in Rome for the game against Italy will be able to travel to Amsterdam for the last 16 game if they go directly.

This is because Italy is regarded by the Netherlands as a “safe” country within the EU.

The Dutch government website says: “If you are coming from a country where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low (a safe country) you do not need to show a negative test result.

“You are also not required to self-quarantine when you arrive in the Netherlands.”

The Dutch government guidance does not state that prior travel to “unsafe” third countries (such as the UK and Azerbaijan) will prevent you entering the Netherlands but do make extra certain you are aware of all the local rules before travelling.

Wales fans travelling from any of the following countries will also be allowed to attend the match: Albania, Australia, China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau), Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Vatican City, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, apart from the Sjeverna Hrvatska region including Zagreb, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France: the island Corsica only, Germany, Greece: the South Aegean Region, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, including Sicily, Greece: the North Aegean Region and the Ionian Islands Region only, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain: the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands only, Switzerland, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten

Wales, semi-finalists at the last European Championship five years ago, qualified for the last-16 by finishing above Switzerland, ranked 13th in the world, and a much-lauded Turkey team.

They will play Denmark after the Danes beat Russia 4-1 at home in Copenhagen and Belgium beat Finland last Monday.

It will be an emotional night for the Danish team whose first game was marred by the collapse on the pitch of star player Christian Eriksen who suffered a heart attack.

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