18 November 2023 , 13:02
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More than 30 Wales football fans have been arrested in Armenia ahead of Saturday’s European Championship qualifier in Yerevan.
The Football Association of Wales confirmed that 32 supporters had been arrested in the Armenian capital and that the Foreign Office was involved. An FAW statement read: “The FAW are aware of the situation regarding our fans in Yerevan and we are in regular discussions with the travelling police and FSA (Football Supporters’ Association) Cymru.
“FSA Cymru are the fan embassy who have contact with the local authorities as well as South Wales Police, who are here to liaise with local law enforcement.
“The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office are also involved.”
Around 1,200 Wales fans are in Yerevan, having made the 2,300-mile journey to one of European football’s distant outposts.
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FSA Cymru’s X – formerly known as Twitter – account Fan Embassy Wales posted before the game: “Lots of tickets touts in streets leading to stadium…be wary of them…the police have stated they no fans will be allowed in wrong ends of stadium.”
Wales face Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday afternoon (Football Association of Wales)Wales will qualify for Euro 2024 should they beat Armenia and Croatia lose to Latvia on Saturday.
The arrests come after a female Wales fan reported that she was asked for 'sexual favours' instead of paying for a taxi Armenia.
Fan Embassy Wales tweeted on Saturday: "A serious incident took place last night when a Welsh fan was in the back of a taxi from (the city's) Beatles Pub.
"The driver pulled into a quiet place and joined her in the back asking for sexual favours as payment. She is okay and got out unscathed, but is obviously distressed and must have felt very vulnerable."