MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK Minister Simmonds to visit Miami and Sao Paulo to support the English team

Simmonds concerned with the safety and security of those travelling to the tournament in Brazil

UK Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds is scheduled to visit Sao Paulo and Miami to promote the travel safety 'Be On The Ball' campaign, preparing fans for the World Cup and to support the English team.

 To promote the Be On The Ball campaign, the Minister will visit the stadium in Sao Paolo where England will take on Uruguay on 19 June. He will also visit Miami to deliver key messages on enjoying a safe World Cup to support England fans, many in Miami for the England vs. Ecuador match.

The Minister will see for himself the experience fans will have in Sao Paulo when England play Uruguay on 19 June. He will tour the FIFA Fan Fest site and the stadium where England will play. He will also meet key World Cup partners and discuss Sao Paulo’s preparations at a meeting with the city’s Deputy Mayor.

In Miami, the Minister will meet staff from the Fans’ Embassy and see the Fans’ Embassy in action, before the England vs. Ecuador game. The Fans’ Embassies are run by the Football Supporters’ Federation, and are meeting, information and help points for England fans attending World Cup and pre-World cup matches.

The Minister will also meet the US Coast Guard to discuss joint UK-US Coast Guard counter-drugs operations.

Ahead of the visit Mr. Simmonds said he was looking forward to an exciting World Cup in Brazil, and to experiencing the fan’s journey first-hand in Sao Paulo and Miami. “My priority is to ensure the safety and security of those travelling to the tournament”.

“It is crucial that fans do their research before they arrange flights to Brazil and, importantly, their onward travel within the country. There are some distinct challenges, notably the vast distances between venues, so I urge fans to prepare for these. I wish England good luck.”