That failure has been viewed by those overseeing Saturday’s game as justification for the alternative approach the FA and UK Football Policing Unit have been trialling after repeated failures to stamp out offensive chanting by England’s fans.
Requests for comment made by Telegraph Sport to multiple agencies on either sides of the Irish Sea on the potential for such chanting this weekend have failed to elicit a response. But the UKFPU issued a statement from the head of its delegation to Dublin.
Superintendent Gareth Parkin said: “Following on from the Euros in Germany, we’re once again expecting that the vast majority of the England fans attending the match in Dublin will behave responsibly.
“Thousands of UK residents and sports fans visit Dublin every year and the Garda and the stadium management team are well used to dealing with large-scale events at the Aviva.
“Ahead of the match, we’ve been in constant dialogue with our colleagues at the Garda and a security visit has already taken place. We will have teams from the UKFPU out on the ground throughout the weekend to assist our colleagues.
“We’ve also been working closely with the Football Association and the Football Supporters Association to ensure that everyone attending the match can have a safe and enjoyable time.
“As always, all fans attending the match are urged to drink responsibly and respect local culture.”
Garda will use stag party experience
The Garda’s Operation Dearóil will use its experience of policing stag parties to keep order among supporters this weekend.
The FA has published official “ticket-holder information” for fans expected to travel to the Aviva Stadium amid fears demand for tickets may vastly exceed the official allocation. Fans were reminded “drinking is not allowed in the streets or public spaces in Ireland. This will be enforced by local police”.
In the Dublin City Council area, it is not allowed to “consume or attempt to consume intoxicating liquor on a road or in a public place within the functional area of the council” and alcohol can be seized by police.
The FA instructions add that “supporters who are visibly drunk may be refused entry into the stadium by local authorities”.
Some 3,000 fans without tickets are expected to travel to sample the atmosphere in Dublin and the early evening kick-off will offer the potential for all-day drinking in the city centre. There have been reports in Ireland that 350 specialist officers will be deployed over the weekend.
Fans with tickets for Saturday’s clash have been told they must pick them up from certain locations in Dublin at specific times. They have also been warned that flares and smoke bombs are prohibited.
“It is important to highlight that these items are not only illegal inside a football stadium, but these prohibited items can also cause great harm to people. These pyrotechnics and flares can burn at up to 2,000C and can cause significant injuries to carriers and fellow spectators,” the FA said.
“We have also seen several incidents that have resulted in people experiencing breathing difficulties, distress, and discomfort.”