UEFA have confirmed that the stadium media centre in Lille was evacuated ahead of Wednesday’s Republic of Ireland v Italy game amid a bomb scare.

It is understood people were asked to leave the media facility at the Stade Pierre Mauroy as a precaution after police using sniffer dogs discovered a suspicious package hours before the Euro 2016 Group E fixture was due to kick-off.

However, a UEFA spokesman later revealed that the item was innocent and was no danger to anyone present.

There'll be 15,000 Irish supporters behind this goal tonight! Get in early and let's get behind the team! ☘ #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/QKESoQwrws

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) June 22, 2016

Asked about the evacuation, the spokesman said: “This is correct. It was a false alarm.”