Around 100,000 Rangers fans are expected to descend on Seville today ahead of the club’s Europa League final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Ibrox side were able to secure their place in the European showpiece fixture after defeating RB Leipzig in an incredible 3-2 aggregate win earlier this month.
It will be the club’s first European final since 2008, which saw the Glasgow team lose 2-0 to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.
But the violent scenes that broke out following that UEFA Cup final remain fresh in the memory of the authorities in Spain.
There has also significant concern over the Eintracht Frankfurt side, after casuals attacked West Ham fans after the German side dumped their English counterparts out of this year’s competition.
Last night saw five Germans arrested after scenes of carnage saw Eintracht Frankfurt ultras try to attack Rangers fans.
Balaclava-clad thugs reportedly launched a series of red flares and lobbed glass bottles at Gers fans who had gathered in the street to party.
A total of 150,000 fans from both sides are set to spend time in Seville for the fixture tonight.
Spanish National Police chief Juan Carlos Castro has admitted that the policing operation will be “one of the most difficult challenges it has ever faced”.
A number of Rangers legends - including the likes of Ian Durrant, John Greig and Ally McCoist - have urged fans to behave themselves over in the Spanish city.
Light Blues’ boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has also pleaded with fans to be on their best behaviour.
He said yesterday: “I think it’s not about the numbers. You can bring 50 people and they can bring chaos.
“I know we have a lot of people travelling with us and enjoying the final.
“We have to enjoy this occasion. We as managers, players, staff and fans inside and outside the stadium, it’s not often you get to reach a European final.
“It’s not just for Rangers, it’s also for Frankfurt and we have to enjoy it and make sure we are not causing any problems.
“Let the game decide who wins this game.
“One half of the people will go home really home and the other half will go home angry, but we should respect the whole city and all the people who have worked so hard to accommodate us.
“Enjoy it and don’t leave anything negative behind.”
What police will be doing in Seville today
More than 5,500 police and private security officers are expected to be mobilised throughout Seville to guarantee public safety.
The “pre-critical” phase of the security operation began from 8am on Tuesday and will last until Wednesday at 3pm.
Authorities will then move to its “critical” phase from 3pm to 9pm tonight.
A spokesperson for the Spanish government sub-delegation in Seville confirmed on Monday: “More than 5,500 agents will guarantee security at the Europa Cup final in Seville.
“An operation specially tailored for the needs of this event has been designed in which National Police and Civil Guard officers will act in conjunction with local police employed by Seville City Hall and the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan’s Stadium’s private security service.
“The National Police will provide around 3,000 officers, with groups which will include Prevention and Reaction units, bomb disposal group TEDAX, aerial units and mounted police.
“The Civil Guard will be in charge of security at San Pablo Airport and the transfer of the teams and their officials from the airport to the city.
“They will also monitor social media to detect any issue that could alter the normal development of the event before it occurs.”
The government sub-delegation in Seville added in a statement: “The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium will provide 1,210 private security officers and assistants, a number which could increase, as well as 24 dogs and guides specialising in the detection of pyrotechnic material and drugs.”
Authorities have also confirmed that ‘some sensitive areas’ in Seville’s Old Town will be fenced off - including the sculpture of San Fernando in Plaza Nueva, Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, Plaza del Triunfo, Puerta de Jerez and the Prado Fountain.
