World Cup travel bans begin for English hooligans

LONDON, May 30: Some 3,300 banning orders introduced to prevent known English hooligans from travelling to the World Cup in Germany came into force today.

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.

REUTERS