Bilbao police chiefs have kiboshed all leave ahead of this week’s Europa League clash involving Rangers as they mount a major security operation.
Around 5,000 Rangers supporters are expected in the Basque city, although only around 2,600 have tickets for the quarter final second leg.
The Spanish city is also expecting the arrival of hundreds of Greek fans for the FIBA Europe Cup basketball final first leg between Bilbao Basket and PAOK Thessaloniki.
And reports in Spain have revealed the entire Basque police force have been told to cancel all leave for this week as Barry Ferguson‘s side arrive hoping to win to tee up a return for the Final.
They are on full alert for both nights following ugly clashes in the last Europa League round involving Roma fans both inside and outside the ground.
Rangers supporters will be marched into the San Mames stadium three hours before kick off at a location beside the famous Guggenheim Museum and will have to stay in the ground for an unspecified time after full time.
Athletic Bilbao have also issued security advice for their own fans ahead of the game.
They stated: “There will be a coordinated operation between the Municipal Police, the Ertzaintza – the Basque Country Police – and the club ahead of this Thursday’s Europa League match
“The planned operation will primarily affect the area surrounding San Mames, with the aim of establishing a series of measures aimed at ensuring the safety of both fans, as well as the general public.”
The Spanish city are planning to use the visit of Rangers and PAOK basketball fans this week as a dress rehearsal for the security operation they will mount for the Europa League Final which will be held in Bilbao next month.