The Police Force, in collaboration with the Malta Football Association, has made special arrangements on the occasion of next Friday’s World Cup qualifier between England and Malta.

Addressing a news conference yesterday, Angelo Chetcuti, MFA general secretary, said that this was a massive match to organise, but the association was convinced everything will go smoothly, especially if everyone cooperates.

He appealed to the public to follow the instructions issued by the Police and Transport Malta even if there will be several restrictions in most, if not all, the areas around the National Stadium.

The ring road around the stadium will be closed from early Thursday 31 August. But with this coinciding with the final day of the summer transfer market, to serve the clubs, the MFA will keep its offices open till midnight.

He went on to say that Friday will be a special day as, apart from the Malta-England World Cup qualifier,  two other national teams will be playing away – the Under 21 facing Cyprus in a Euro qualifier and the Under 19 side will be in action in a friendly match in Liechtenstein.

He thanked all those (about 1,000 persons in all) who have given and still have to give their contribution towards the organisation of the match, among them the Police, the various Ministries and many other persons most of whom are connected with the game of football.

He said the Stadium doors on Friday will open at 6.30pm and went on to appeal to everyone attending at Ta’ Qali stadium to be there early.

He went on to say that the West Stand and Millennium E sectors are on an allocated seating basis, but otherwise, that is in the rest of the Millennium, North and South stands, it will be on a free seating (first come first served) basis.

Chetcuti added that the MFA has allocated around 2,000 seats to local club nurseries with dedicated parking for the coaches and vans carrying the children.

The Stadium will be packed – all the tickets were sold in just a few days. In the 18,000 crowd, there will be at least 6,000 English fans.

Chetcuti also said that the association’s Chief Communications Officer, Kevin Azzopardi, has produced an official matchday programme which can be purchased from ticket booths at West C, Millennium D and the Centenary Stadium. MFA-accredited salespersons will be selling official matchday programmes in every sector of the national stadium on matchday.

The MFA general secretary also launched another appeal at the end of his speech, telling those who are not in possession of a ticket to stay away as it will be useless to try and enter the Stadium.

Police Inspector Robert Vella said there will be a good number of Local Wardens and officials from Transport Malta to help the Police officers on duty in this Friday’s extraordinary task.

He said that certain roads will have to be closed – all the areas around Ta’ Qali (on the inside) will be controlled by the Police and only those accredited with a special car park ticket will be allowed access, though not in close vicinity of the Stadium.

He made it clear that the MFA car parks as well as other car parks (not all) will not be open to the public. But those making use of a wheelchair and who have purchased their tickets are to follow the arrangements made for them by the Malta FA.

The police will be conducting security checks and body searches on spectators outside the turnstiles to ensure

1.   Spectators enter the correct area of the stadium.

2.   Spectators do not bring any objects/substances into the stadium that are likely to be used in acts of violence, or alcohol or fireworks of any kind.

3.    Access is prohibited to known or potential troublemakers, or persons who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

4.   Flags and banners will not be permitted if attached to solid sticks, etc.