Travel bans begin for English hooligans
World Cup: Some 3,300 banning orders introduced to prevent
known English hooligans from travelling to the World Cup in Germany came
into force on Tuesday.
The orders, introduced following riots by England fans in Belgium
during Euro 2000, are central to the government's drive to prevent fans
causing trouble during the June 9 to July 9 tournament. Anyone subject
to a banning order has to hand in their passport to police by the end of
the day and must report to a local police station every time England
play.
Failure to do so could result in a six month prison sentence and a
fine.
The Home Office says cooperation between German and English officials
has been unprecedented, with both sides confident they can stop serious
trouble breaking out.
The 1998 World Cup in France - the last time it was held in Europe -
was marred by rioting England fans and almost 1,000 English hooligans
were arrested during Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands. But there
was little trouble at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan while
Euro 2004 also passed off without too much trouble - although some 50
people were arrested in a tourist town several hundred kilometres from
where England were playing.
Many fans have told Reuters that the key to a peaceful tournament is
the approach taken by the police.
Police in Portugal, after taking advice from their British
counterparts, operated a fair but firm approach, and German officials
have said they are keen to do the same.
Under an agreement between the two governments, 79 English police
officers will travel to Germany for the tournament and will be either
working with the host Federal police at ports and on the trains while
others will be based near the stadiums.
A small number of German police officers will also be present at
English ports and airports to monitor England fans leaving for Germany.
LONDON, Tuesday, Reuters |