Tottenham security on high alert after Europa League news, tickets to be reduced
Tottenham’s security team are set to be tested in March after Ange Postecoglou’s men drew AZ Almaar in the Europa League last-16.
The Dutch side secured a 6-3 aggregate victory over Galatasaray on Thursday night (20 January) to set up Europa League clashes against Spurs in March.
AZ Alkmaar will host Tottenham on 6 March before the second leg, in North London, is played on 13 March.
However, AZ’s track record means Tottenham’s security will be working overtime in order to ensure the game can go ahead with a full stadium.
West Ham incident on AZ record for clash v Tottenham
AZ were fined £68,000 by UEFA after a group of their fans tried to storm an area where West Ham players’ friends and family were seated at their AFAS Stadion for the Europa Conference League in May 2025.
Fights broke out with West Ham fan Chris Knoll – better known as Kollsy – went viral on social media for helping to stop the so-called ultras from getting closer to the Hammers support.
Former FIFA and Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes that due to that incident two years ago, Tottenham will ramp up their security checks for AZ’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 13 March.
And, if there are any issues, AZ could have their ticket allocation reduced.
“Every game played throughout Europe and in domestic competitions is reviewed on a match-by-match basis,” Hackett told Tottenham News.
“Club security has to meet laid-down requirements and the Head of Security at each club and the designated police officer for that club go through a detailed process. This covers ticket allocation, travel arrangements of fans, teams and match officials and the intelligence of any potential trouble spots.
| Game | Date |
| AZ v Tottenham | 6 March |
| Tottenham v AZ | 13 March |
“There is a countdown clock approach right through to kick off.
“Meetings take place on the morning of the game at the stadium with arrangements discussed in detail. Police and fire brigade placement and numbers of stewards, paramedics, ambulances, et cetera.
“Even the inspection of generators to ensure no power failures.
“Teams and referees have allocated police protection to and from the ground.
“If there is any level of exposure then ticket allocation for travelling away fans will be reduced.
“Let’s hope that with all these proactive arrangements the game goes ahead.”
AZ fans heavily monitored in London last time v Tottenham
Spurs beat AZ 1-0 in North London on 24 October in the Europa League’s league stage.
Richarlison scored the only goal of the game for Spurs from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute.
While there were no major incidents in that game, the Metropolitan Police did have a strong handle on the travelling Dutch fans, especially their Ultras, before and after the game.
Footage on YouTube showed them being escorted to and from the game by the police as they blocked off roads, sang chants and waved their flags.