England fans attending their first World Cup match have received a stern warning about passengers drinking beer in cars while traveling to the game. In Texas, this practice is strictly forbidden, and supporters risk arrest and missing the match. In England, it is common for one person to be the designated driver, consuming only soft drinks, while friends enjoy cans of beer en route to the stadium. However, this is against the law where England will face Croatia in Arlington, near Dallas, on June 17.
Chief Constable's Warning
Head of football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, stated: "In Texas, you cannot drink in a car, even if you are a passenger. Our understanding is that the police will enforce this." He urged traveling fans to consult the official Foreign Office website to familiarize themselves with local laws in Texas for the first game, Massachusetts for the second, and New Jersey for the third. He emphasized: "Fans need to know this legislation because we don't want them hiring a car, thinking they can drive to the station with the driver on soft drinks and everyone else having a beer. They could get pulled over by state troopers, and inadvertently, there could be a conflict with law enforcement."
Complexities of Local Enforcement
Roberts added: "The complexity is that I cannot brief you on all law enforcement agencies fans will encounter. We always advise: be a good guest, be sensible, be respectful of law enforcement if you engage, and recognize that they may not handle things the same way as British police. You are in a different country, and our supporters understand that."
Tournament Details
England opens their tournament next Wednesday in the sweltering Texas heat. They will be based in Kansas City and fly in and out of match venues. The tournament begins with a glittering opening ceremony on Thursday in Mexico City and concludes with the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York, on Sunday, July 19.
Additional Costs for Fans
The Mirror has revealed that England fans will pay an extra 20 percent on their beers at the World Cup. Many pubs and restaurants are adding compulsory gratuities to supporters' bills, fearing low-paid staff will end up out of pocket. Bars serving food and drink have implemented a simple service charge on everything. While some England fans have complained, others have welcomed the move as "common sense."
Establishments participating in the new scheme include those in Kansas City, where many WAGs will spend time with partners at the England HQ. Dallas, Boston, and New York—where England plays their group games—are also seeing more restaurants adopt this policy. American bar staff and waiters are notoriously poorly paid and rely on gratuities from customers, typically between 15 and 20 percent.
