Traces of the class-A drug were found in around half of toilet cubicles tested by Telegraph reporters. Photo / Getty
Traces of the class-A drug were found in around half of toilet cubicles tested by Telegraph reporters. Photo / Getty
A Sunday Telegraph investigation has revealed an alarming presence of cocaine in toilet cubicles during England's opening European Championship qualifier at Wembley.
Traces of cocaine were found in half the toilet cubicles tested in the stadium during Friday night's game (Saturday morning NZT) despite "enhanced" security checks.
Telegraph reporters testedaround 20 cubicles in two areas of the stadium, with traces of the class-A drug already found on top of wall-mounted toilet paper dispensers shortly after the gates had opened.
Further cocaine was then detected after England's 5-0 Group A win over the Czech Republic.
The Football Association has since confirmed that five fans were denied entry to the match, including three who showed positive drug indications but said there were no drug-related arrests.
A Football Association spokesperson told the Telegraph that Wembley Stadium had a strict drug policy and anyone found in possession of illegal drugs would be refused entry or be ejected from the stadium.
The UEFA European Championship Group A Qualifying match between England and Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium. Photo / Getty
"We deploy 14 search dogs with trained handlers at every event, each accompanied by a response team of five Security Industry Authority officers. Everyone entering the stadium is also subject to security checks at the turnstiles.
"Incidents of anti-social behaviour are very rare, however, we work closely with the authorities to take swift and decisive action when required."
The shocking findings come just weeks after warnings were issued by the police that an increase in the use of the drug was fuelling riots amongst England supporters.
The national lead for football policing in the UK, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, confirmed that arrests for cocaine had more than doubled in the last season and revealed that there had already been one Championship match where 15 arrests were made in relation to the drug.
Roberts called for football to invest more in combating cocaine at games, particularly those involving Premier League clubs.
Chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, who attended the game on Friday, has called for constructive conversations between the Football Association and the police and suggested they discuss what level of response would be needed.
