ENGLAND fans living in Italy have been urged to flood Rome to get behind the Three Lions ahead of our quarter-final clash.
Recruits from a 30,000-strong band of lionhearts dubbed our “Salami Army” are snapping up spare tickets for the big match.
Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
The expats are hoping to stand in for England’s travelling army of fans to cheer on the Three Lions at their Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine.
It comes after Italy’s quarantine rules on UK arrivals scotched fans hopes of flying out to see the game at the Olympic Stadium.
UEFA said 2,560 tickets had been returned by the English FA and they would be made available via their website.
Brits living in Italy have now vowed do their bit to support the team at the next stage.
John Phillips, 65, from Wimbledon, South West London, said: “The expat community will take the England baton from the fans at Wembley. It’s our turn to support the team and we’ll come from all over Italy and neighbouring countries, with 5,000 to 10,000 being a good estimate.
“England fans will also be in the bars in Rome’s main square before the game and to party on after it.”
Steph MacGillivray, 28, who is originally from Watford and now lives in Rome, said: “I feel like Cinderella — I’m going to the ball.
“As soon as the Germany match finished I was straight on my phone looking for tickets. I had loads of people offering me theirs and I actually managed to get one at face value of 150 euros.
“I’ve heard from lots of expats in Rome who are doing the same and I hope we can make our voices heard on Saturday.”
Chelsea fan Max Heinemann, 29, originally from Clapham, South West London, and now based in Rome, got two tickets at 75 euros each face value from a pal in London who couldn’t make the game because of the quarantine rules.
He said: “I am so ecstatic. The call has gone out for all the expats in Rome and the surrounding area to get their hands on as many tickets as they can so we can cheer the Three Lions to victory.”
England roared through to the next stage of the tournament after a stunning 2-0 victory over rivals Germany.
They will now take Ukraine on in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Saturday at 8pm.
But England fans arriving in Italy won’t be able to watch the game under the country’s strict Covid rules.
Anyone who travels from the UK , or has been in the UK for the past 14 days, will be ordered to self-isolate for five days.
To get into Italy, fans will also need to take a rapid test in the 48 hours before travelling and a further rapid test after five days to end self-isolation.
And reports suggest Italian police will intensify checks on motorways and at the country’s borders to stop England fans travelling to the game.
Italy is also on the UK’s amber list so anyone who does make it over will be required to quarantine at home on arrival back home.
