World Cup travel advice from Platt and Brazil

A downloadable desktop caricature of former footballer Alan Brazil will provide news and travel advice to fans travelling to the World Cup in Germany this summer.

The desktop service featuring the former Ipswich and Scotland player is part of a raft of initiatives launched by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to ensure football fans enjoy a trouble-free trip to Germany.

The 'Avoiding Penalties' campaign will remind fans about the essentials such as ensuring you have full travel insurance and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), as well as providing specific information on entry to stadiums and the best places to see games if you do not have a ticket.

Foreign Office minister Lord Triesman said: "The aim of our 'Avoiding Penalties' campaign is to ensure that every fan is given all the advice and support they need to have an enjoyable, trouble-free tournament."

Former England captain David Platt, who was alongside Lord Triesman at the launch of campaign, said: "I hope that the England fans will take the Foreign Office advice both when planning their trip and once they're out in Germany. Just knowing they've prepared properly and have the right information to hand should something go wrong will mean they can concentrate on what's important – and that's supporting our team."

To provide fans with information before they travel, the British embassy in Berlin has launched its own dedicated website with information and news on the host cities, which can be found at: www.britishembassyworldcup.com

Nationwide and the Football Supporters Federation have produced a series of dos and don'ts for those planning to travel to the World Cup, which is available from Nationwide branches, while the Alan Brazil desktop news service can be downloaded at www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Assistance for fans in Germany includes a credit card-sized 'Avoiding Penalties' information card containing local maps and emergency contact numbers, which will be available from all World Cup departure airports and with all England World Cup match tickets.

The Foreign Office has also teamed up with Pixaya UK to provide mobile internet travel advice, which is available to those who text SOS WorldCup to 60999.

A 24-hour hotline will be available for fans who get into trouble during the tournament on 0049 (0) 1805 072006. XXX