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Security has been ramped up at England’s US training ground – with extra screens and signs threatening criminal action against anyone found snooping.
The Three Lions land in Kansas City on Saturday and work has been carried out to ensure Thomas Tuchel and his men can plot their World Cup bid away from prying eyes at their base camp.
A number of additional black screens have been erected around the Swope Soccer Village facility, which is overlooked on one side by a section of freeway.
And a series of signs have also gone up – with a stark warning for anyone thinking of trespassing.
‘Private property’ the signs read. ‘No trespassing, no unauthorised access. No recording, photography or drones. Breaches may constitute criminal and civil offences.’
In May, Daily Mail Sport broke the Spygate story, which eventually saw Southampton thrown out of the Championship play-off final after they sent an intern to spy on a Middlesbrough training session from behind a tree.
England are training at the Swope Soccer Village, around 20 minutes’ drive from their hotel
Warning signs outside promise action against anyone trying to watch training
And it would appear that England should have no such issues in the US. An FA security team has been liaising with the venue, home to MLS side Sporting Kansas City’s academy, and has made a number of adjustments. A no-fly zone is also in place.
That said, Daily Mail Sport was able to drive into the car park of the training ground on Thursday unchallenged. Indeed, a pallet of boxed air conditioners – with temperatures of around 100F (37C) expected – was left unattended. The FA has now moved to rectify that situation ahead of the team’s arrival.
Two new marquee buildings have also been erected at the site, with one thought to contain a temporary, climate-controlled and state-of-the-art gym.
On a previous trip we reported how Argentina, who had first choice because they play a game in the city, had taken the high-end facility Sporting Kansas moved to when they left Swope.
A pallet full of air conditioners is ready to be deployed as the mercury tips 100F
England’s team hotel, a 20-minute journey away, is now surrounded by a ring of steel with concrete anti-terror barriers surrounding the Inn at Meadowbrook. Locals are preparing to roll out the red and white carpet for their guests, with welcome signs and St George’s crosses flying in gardens.
It is understood a shop in Prairie Village, Made in Kansas City, was pitched the idea to make the mini flags by a local woman and they were quick to sell out, with residents in the upmarket community keen to show their support.
Meanwhile, officials are confident that England’s opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday will be close to a 70,000 sell-out.
Swathes of empty seats could be seen at South Korea’s victory over Czech Republic in Guadalajara on opening day but a similar scene is not expected in Dallas on Wednesday.
Tens of thousands of those present are expected to be supporting the Three Lions, although insiders stopped short of saying that it would feel like a home game, thanks to a large Croatian diaspora in the US.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE
