Southampton student's mission to get to England game in Rome

An England fan from Hampshire currently in France is planning to attend the Three Lions' Euro 2020 quarter-final in Rome on Saturday.

Italy's Covid-19 restrictions mean that most England fans will struggle to get to the showdown with Ukraine, with people arriving from the UK required to isolate for five days.

However, for those already living in Europe, Rome is reachable.

Fans unable to attend the quarter-final have advertised their tickets for sale on social media.

Student Jack Francis, 20, from Southampton, plans to travel to Rome from France, and secured his ticket on Twitter for £145.

"Hearing Brits coming from the UK would struggle to get into Italy, I knew there would be a chance that a lot of people would be trying to flog their tickets,'' he told PA.

"(I) contacted a nice gent on Twitter, within five minutes I sent him the money and he transferred me the ticket.

"The guy just wanted to cover the ticket, travel and hotel cost which I think was totally acceptable.''

The Southampton fan said he had planned to travel to nine games in five countries for the tournament, but had his ticket money refunded in April due to the pandemic

"If all goes to plan, (this) would be worth replacing those nine games!'' he said.

The Embassy of Italy in London said that only travellers who can prove they arrived in Italy six days previously, had gone through fives days of quarantine and had a negative post-isolation Covid test will be allowed into the stadium.

Its statement added that even travellers who are not required to quarantine - such as those passing through Italy for less than 36 hours or for brief work visits - will not be allowed entry to the Stadio Olimpico.

It added: "Anyone who is found to be failing to observe quarantine will be punished as laid down by the law.

"Fans based in the UK should therefore not travel to Italy to attend the match on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.''