Cologne has been forced to cancel all events in the Euro 2024 fan-zone amid severe weather warnings in the region.
Droves of Scotland supporters made their way to the west Germany city ahead of the game against Switzerland tomorrow.
But after officials issued a severe weather warning, claiming that hailstones up to five cm wide could fall on the city, organisers of the fan-zone in Heumarkt, the Public Viewing at the Tanzbrunnen and the Football Experience will remain closed for the entire day.
On top of this, the European Championship Rhine ferry service will also be suspended.
Organisers said in a statement: ‘Due to an official storm warning from late morning with expected heavy rain, hail and heavy gusts of wind, all events and functions of the Host City Cologne associated with the European Championships have to be cancelled for today.
‘The necessary talks with the security partners were already held yesterday evening and the preparatory measures to secure the venues were initiated. The decision to cancel all events was made on Tuesday morning after further consultation with the German Weather Service.’
The German Weather Service said on its website that Cologne, which is hosting the Scotland v Switzerland game tomorrow night, will tonight face ‘severe thunderstorms with (extreme) storm potential.’
The weather agency added: ‘Supercells can form, which are accompanied by severe squalls, sometimes even hurricanes between 90 and 120 km/h (55mph to 75mph) and larger hail between 3 and 5 cm.
‘Heavy rain with amounts of around 30 l/sqm is also possible locally within a short period of time. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.’
It is not currently known whether UEFA will cancel tomorrow’s game, given the severe weather expected in the region.
has contacted UEFA for comment.