The sale of alcoholic beverages during the Champions League quarter-final between Inter and Benfica on Wednesday evening has been banned in certain areas of the city of Milan by local authorities.
The city’s prefect Renato Saccone signed the order ‘to ensure the smooth running of the event and to avoid disturbances to public order and safety.’
The temporary prohibition will put a halt to the sale of alcohol and spirits in cans and glass bottles, in restaurants, bars and in shops for those hoping to take a drink with them for the road.
The affected areas will include Corso Como and in the vicinity of Darsena in the city centre, as well as near Sempione, San Siro and the surrounding streets in those particular areas.
Over 6,000 travelling Benfica supporters are expected to arrive in Milan ahead of the last eight tie at the Giuseppe Meazza and only a few thousand of those will be in the stadium itself.
There is expected to be a heavy police presence in the city in the build-up to the game, especially in the Piazza Duomo, where travelling supporters to the city tend to congregate before matches at San Siro.