The Foreign Office has distributed information leaflets at Heathrow and Gatwick airports urging football fans bound for South Africa to ‘Be On The Ball’ during their stay.
People boarding flights to South Africa were handed the information cards, which warn revellers that consular services should be requested only in emergencies.
Campaign manager Phil Lord explained: “British nationals need to understand what the FCO can and can’t do for them, so our staff in the consular office and … at the football matches can focus their resource on situations where people really need our help.
“It is important for football fans about to travel to support England in South Africa to understand that we can’t provide you with free flights home or issue you a replacement football match ticket.”
The FCO said that in previous tournaments Brits have bombarded consular staff with unreasonable requests for help. It cited the recent case of some Champions League supporters who harangued embassy staff for a free flight home after drinking heavily and missing their connection.
Mr Lord said that assistance will only be provided to people who experience a “serious problem” during their stay, and he reiterated the need for fans to take out full travel insurance.
The FCO’s last-minute campaign comes as British Airways prepares to carry more than 2.5 million customers on flights to South Africa during the World Cup. The airline operates direct flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as internal flights via franchise carrier Comair.
