Manchester United are set to begin their Europa League campaign with a tricky away game against Dutch side Feyenoord.
According to John Scheerhout of Manchester Evening News, the United fans travelling to Rotterdam for the Europa League tie have been requested to “dress conservatively” amid the possibility of encountering Dutch hooligans.
The report states that the club has written to all of its 1,400 supporters who are expected to travel to Holland for the game to take care of themselves. They have been warned against wearing scarfs or the club jerseys to avoid any confrontations.
It also states that the fans will not be allowed to collect their tickets from the ground due to ‘safety concerns from both the UK as well as the local authorities’. Instead they have been asked to keep their ticket safe as they make their way to the stadium.
Fans have also been advised to carry their passport with them at all times due to the regulations in Netherlands.
The club letter read:
“For your own safety it is advisable to maintain a low profile and avoid areas of potential conflict and by dressing conservatively.
“Once the game has ended, and Manchester United supporters are all out of the stadium, a special 1,200 seat train service will be provided from the stadium rail station. The service will stop at both Rotterdam and Amsterdam train stations.
“Please ensure that you carry your passport at all times, as required by law in the Netherlands. There is currently a general high threat level from terrorism in Europe and you should ensure that you are mindful of your own personal safety and security whilst travelling.
“Finally, we hope that you enjoy your visit to the Netherlands and thank you for your support.”
The reason for the warnings is due to the incident that occurred in 2012. According to the Guardian, a total of 76 Ajax supporters were arrested as they attacked a group of Manchester United fans ahead of their Europa League tie.
The men reportedly possessed weapons including knives, brass knuckles, tear gas and clubs as well as “a large amount of narcotics”. They were held overnight and faced varying fines of up to €600 (£500).