England fans in ‘Zombieland’ Frankfurt forced to run gauntlet of drug addicts in ‘Euros’ worst city’ for Denmark game
ENGLAND fans will face “the most dangerous slum in Germany” in drug-riddled Frankfurt today for the Three Lions Euros clash against Denmark.
German cops raided the city’s “Zombieland” drugs slum in April in a frantic bid to clean up the hellhole area before England’s Euros visit.
Five Euros clashes will be played in Frankfurt – and most football fans will arrive at Frankfurt Central Station in the heart of the drugs slum.
The station area, Bahnhofsviertel, has been branded “the most dangerous slum in Germany” — with its streets packed with 5,000 shuffling junkies and 300 dealers.
Heroin and cocaine had been the traditional drugs of choice – but crystal meth and a new crack cocaine mixture has hit the streets.
The no-go zone is so dangerous that kids are escorted to schools and even road sweepers receive police protection.
Officials in the city have been desperate to clear up the area before Euro 2024.
England will play Denmark at Deutsche Bank Park ground – dubbed by some as the “worst stadium” of Euro 2024 – on Thursday evening, four miles out of the city centre.
Fans will be forced to wade through “the worst drug hell in Europe” to get to the stadium via trams, buses and trains for the 6pm kick-off.
They have even been advised to cycle to the ground instead of trying to make their way through the nightmare station.
Clueless football bosses have also advised England fans to stay in the station area plagued by violent drug addicts dubbed “zombies”.
Uefa have earmarked hotels in Bahnhofsviertel as the base for tens of thousands of Three Lions supporters.
Peter Postleb, adviser to the mayor when Frankfurt was a World Cup city in 2006, said pimps and dealers were indiscriminate and would attack even in broad daylight next to packed cafes.
The security consultant told The Sun: “I don’t think it’s OK of Uefa to make a recommendation for fans to stay in this area.
“Passers-by walking through the Bahnhofsviertel have been robbed and threatened.”
He added: “Situations can quickly escalate. As a passer-by, you unfortunately quickly come into conflict with the scene, which has become very aggressive. You are harassed and pushed.”
Mr Postleb said the area went downhill during the pandemic when businesses and bars closed, allowing more space for junkies and dealers to move in.
Situations can quickly escalate… you are harassed and pushed
Peter Postleb
He added: “Police are very aware of the problem. They have been carrying out raids recently, big raids, and the whole of Bahnhofsviertel has been cordoned off.
“I have no doubt they will step it up before the tournament.”
Uefa advice tells fans: “You’ll discover a variety of accommodation in close proximity to the Central Station or throughout the entire Bahnhofsviertel area.
“From here, you can easily and conveniently access other key transportation hubs within the city.
“This makes Bahnhofsviertel an especially appealing choice if you’re considering trips to explore the city or its surroundings.”
Yet half of all the crimes in Frankfurt are committed on just three streets in the area, with four violent attacks every day.
One video shows a man being shot during a daytime gun fight. In another, a pedestrian is knocked out with a single punch, then robbed of his wallet and possessions while he is sprawled on the ground.
On the day of Belgium‘s clash against Slovenia, Belgian police warned: “Consuming hard drugs on the street is normal.
“Passers-by are harassed, drug users demand money. Foreign media are describing the area as a zombie land, and that is exactly what it is. It is not safe there.”
COP CRACKDOWN
In April, a major operation saw cops in bulletproof vests storm the station district, arresting dozens of dealers.
Pictures show suspects pinned to the ground while having their bags searched for drugs and weapons during the hours-long raid.
Others were patted down against walls and were ordered to take off their shoes to check for concealed bags of crack cocaine.
Dozens were said to have been handcuffed and arrested – with local brothels also raided by cops.
According to German newspaper Bild, more than 10,000 people have had their details checked by cops in the station area since February.
James Monks, organiser of the England Supporters Club’s West Midlands branch, has followed the official advice from Uefa and booked a room in the area.
The Wolves fan, 31, fumed: “It seems an odd decision from Uefa to recommend fans stay in such a dangerous area. I do wonder if Uefa executives will base themselves in Bahnhofsviertel!
“Hopefully the authorities will clean up the area in time but it doesn’t sound good.
“I just hope the thousands of England fans travelling to Germany remain safe.”
Politicians have described the area as “the open wound of Frankfurt”.
Cornelia Bensinger, from the Pro Altstadt association, said: “You almost have to be ashamed to be from Frankfurt.
“The gateway to the city looks like Harlem in the 1970s.”