Jersey prepares for England v Portugal rematch

BERLIN, June 27 (Reuters) Police on the normally tranquil British island of Jersey are mounting a major security operation to prevent a repeat of trouble that flared after England's match with Portugal at the 2004 European Championship.

About six percent of the population of Jersey were born in Portugal, more than 5,000 people on a 45-square-mile (116 square km) island of just less than 90,000 inhabitants. Many come to work in the agriculture or hotel and catering industries.

Portugal and England play in the last eight of the World Cup on Saturday, two years after Portugal's quarter-final victory on penalties in Lisbon in June 2004.

Hundreds of rival fans gathered after that match in the centre of St Helier, the island's main town, close to several Portuguese bars and restaurants.

England supporters chanted racist abuse and threw bottles, cans and coins at Portugal supporters and riot police deployed CS gas and made 14 arrests, a troubling incident for an island rarely afflicted by serious crime.

''We urge all football fans in Jersey to continue enjoying the World Cup in the right spirit and in the manner we have seen so far,'' Jersey police Chief Inspector Shaun Du Val said in a statement today.

A significant number of extra officers would be on duty and large groups of opposing fans would be kept apart. A car park near where trouble occurred in 2004 would be closed off.

''Anyone seeking out confrontation or taunting rival fans will be considered to be causing a breach of the peace which is likely to result in their arrest,'' Du Val said.

''We will take a firm line on any disorder and will deal robustly with any outbreaks of violence or threatening behaviour.'' HIGH SPIRITS Carlos Santos Costa, Portuguese consul for Jersey, said he did not expect any serious trouble on Saturday and was confident the police would control the crowds.

But he said it was important to keep the two sets of supporters apart as far as possible.

''I don't think it would be wise to mix the two crowds watching this match as obviously there may be some high spirits,'' Costa told Reuters by telephone.

''You'd be taking a big risk especially given the time of the match which is right after lunch if you know what I mean.'' Portuguese communities elsewhere in Britain also experienced trouble after the 2004 match.

Portugal fans at a Norfolk pub had to be led to safety by police after about 300 people threw missiles and laid siege to the building, trapping people inside for more than two hours.

Norfolk police Superintendent Jo Parrett said they would be taking a tough stance with potential troublemakers this time.

''''Our message is to have fun, be responsible but do not get involved in violent or anti-social behaviour -- such conduct will simply not be tolerated,'' Parrett said in a statement.

There was no trouble reported on Sunday in Jersey when hundreds of England and Portugal fans were in St. Helier watching their teams play Ecuador and Netherlands.

REUTERS DH RS1937