Fan expelled from World Cup

The authorities want to protect fans from trouble

South Korean officials have detained an England football fan who tried to enter the country for the World Cup.

He is the first England supporter to be refused entry to the country.

The Derby County supporter, Andrew Cooper, 38, has served a four-month jail term for possessing CS gas, but did not have a banning order against him.

People without banning orders who think they get in behind the backs of the authorities are finding out they cannot

Criminal Intelligence Service

He is expected to be sent home on the next available flight.

It is believed he was warned his details had been sent to the South Korean and Japanese authorities.

A spokesman for the UK National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) said: " People without banning orders who think they get in behind the backs of the authorities are finding out they cannot."

Hooligans banned

He said: " British law enforcement is totally serious about making every effort to prevent known hooligans ruining the tournament for others."

A total of 1,007 alleged hooligans have been banned from travelling to the World Cup, under the Football Disorder Act.

It was introduced after trouble at Euro 2000.

Intensive checks

Those banned have had to surrender their pasports until the tournament is over.

Other potential troublemakers have been warned their details have been sent to Japan and South Korea.

They face intensive checks in either country and are likely to be refused entry.

England play all their first round matches in Japan, against Sweden on 2 June, Argentina on 7 June and Nigeria on 12 June.