Warning over more soccer rioting

Copenhagen's rioting could be repeated next month

An organisation co-ordinating anti-hooligan activity in Britain has warned that if there is any violence during the European soccer championships, English people are "guaranteed" to be involved.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) issued the prediction following violent clashes in Copenhagen between soccer fans of Arsenal and Galatasaray.

Danish police have told the BBC that the 15 British people arrested during Wednesday's city-centre street fighting will not appear in court.

They are due to be deported by the end of Thursday.

The NCIS has criticised that decision not to prosecute the hooligans.

UK help offered

NCIS spokesman Mark Steels told the BBC that his organisation would have helped the Danish authorities to identify and monitor troublemakers if prosecutions had been made.

Philip Astley, the British Ambassador to Denmark, said he did not think Wednesday's violence had tarnished the English game.

'Terrifically regrettable'

He told the BBC that the violence was "terrifically regrettable" but that most people had behaved well.

He said he regarded the "relative peace" after the Uefa Cup final as "extremely satisfactory".

The European Parliament is due to hear British MEPs highlight fears about security measures for next month's European soccer championships on Wednesday afternoon.

Their concerns are specifically about England's fixture against Germany in Charleroi.