Evangelos Marinakis covers Forest fans’ Istanbul coach costs amid Europa League travel warnings | OneFootball

Evangelos Marinakis will cover mandatory coach travel for Nottingham Forest fans at next week’s Europa League play-off in Istanbul, Türkiye. Coaches will run to and from the Chobani Stadyumu for the first leg against Fenerbahce on Thursday, February 19.

The club said in a statement that local authorities require all away supporters to use official coaches, which would cost about £53,500. Marinakis will cover the amount so fans are not charged on top of their match ticket.

Forest have an allocation of 2,337 tickets, including 12 wheelchair positions. Supporters must gather at the German Fountain in Sultanahmet Square by 15:00 local time to board coaches to the stadium.

The away end is only accessible via these coaches. Buses arrive several hours before kick-off and fans can be held back for up to two hours after full-time.

Power banks are prohibited and will be confiscated without return before boarding or at entry. Fans are advised to bring only phones and passports.

As matchday is the first day of Ramadan, eating food and drinking alcohol outdoors at the meeting point, opposite the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, will be forbidden. Police will take a firm approach to breaches of local customs.

Supporters without a ticket are strongly advised not to travel, given the unique operation for this fixture. Tickets are £26, kick-off 20:45 local time, 17:45 UK time.

Source: Nottingham Post