British police officers to travel to Celtic's Europa League date with Zenit St Petersburg
Thursday 14 December 2017 13:35, UK
British police officers will attend Celtic's next European match in Russia as part of preparations for next summer's World Cup.
A delegation will travel from the United Kingdom for the club's Europa League round of 32 second-leg tie against Zenit St Petersburg on February 22.
Russian police will also visit further matches in England to share intelligence and discuss tactics ahead of the tournament.
"A Russian police delegation will visit other football matches in England next year in the run up to the 2018 World Cup," a spokesperson for the British Embassy in Moscow confirmed to Sky Sports News.
"We are currently coordinating the dates and the programme of the visits. A British police delegation will be travelling to Russia as well, for instance for the UEFA Europa League match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Celtic."
Russian police visited Old Trafford and Anfield last week, with a delegation attending Manchester United and Liverpool's Champions League games against CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow respectively.
"A Russian police delegation met with representatives of the UK Football Policing Unit to discuss tactics and exchange ideas on how best to police England fans," said Mark Roberts, Deputy Chief Constable, South Yorkshire Police.
"Together they identified a number of areas where they will have further conversations around best practices and useful information for England supporters, both about the World Cup venues and travelling safely around Russia."
Live SPFL
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has launched 'Be on the Ball', a campaign providing advice and information to British football fans.
"The meeting was another example of constructive cooperation between UK and Russian police," Tom Regan, HM Consul for the British Embassy in Moscow, told Sky Sports News.
"Both parties exchanged their experience in policing large football matches to help ensure safety of British fans during the World Cup in Russia next year."
