Hooligans told 'stay away' from final

The FA Cup Final is being played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

Police have written to more than 40 football hooligans telling them to stay away from Saturday's FA Cup Final.

British Transport Police sent letters to 44 Arsenal and Southampton supporters, who are subject to Football Banning Orders or relevant bail conditions, ahead of the match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Officers will also be in the city on Friday and Saturday and said that if anyone is found to have ignored these warnings they could face a custodial sentence.

"We have identified 44 people from both clubs who are subject to Football Banning Orders or bail conditions which would prohibit them from attending the FA Cup final," said Detective Constable Graham Naughton, of the British Transport Police Football Unit.

"Experience tells me that if they were prepared to breach these conditions, the most likely event would be the FA Cup Final, so they have all been sent letters advising them of the consequences of attending the match."

Of the 44 people, 17 are Southampton supporters and 27 are from Arsenal.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said violence among football fans travelling by rail had become more organised and more violent in the past two years.