Hooligans face Euro 2000 ban

Fans with a history of hooliganism will be turned away

Football fans arrested during violent clashes in Copenhagen could be banned from the European Championships this summer.

Home office minister Lord Bassam is confident European police will turn away the 15 arrested fans and any troublemakers identified from the riots surrounding the Uefa Cup final between Arsenal and Galatasaray.

This type of sickening behaviour has no place in a sport

Lord Bassam

Fans with a history of violence and hooliganism will also be targeted.

"Following the events in Copenhagen and in the light of any incidents during Euro 2000, consideration will be given to the possibility of withdrawing the passports of known hooligans," said Lord Bassam.

"It is our expectation that the Dutch, Belgian, German and French authorities will immediately return any English fans to the UK whom they suspect of being likely to be involved in hooliganism.

"They will do this from the moment they arrive."

Security review

Details of 504 fans already subject to domestic football banning orders will also be sent to the European authorities.

Lord Bassam: Violent fans will not be tolerated

Five fans were seriously injured in the violence in the Danish capital before the match on Wednesday - which the Turkish side won on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Police arrested 43 people, including 15 Britons, but no one was charged.

"There will be no tolerance of the type of incidents seen in Copenhagen and the police in Belgium and Holland have our full and unqualified support," said Lord Bassam.

"This type of sickening behaviour has no place in a sport and no place in civilised society."

He said extensive security preparations for Euro 2000 matches involving England would be reviewed and international co-operation between police forces would continue beyond the championships.

The English Football Association's executive director, David Davies offered an apology to the people of Copenhagen after the violence.

But Lennart Johansson, president of European football's governing body Uefa, has said he is considering sanctions against Turkish and English football associations.

Anyone with information on hooligans is urged to ring the National Criminal Intelligence Service hooligan hotline on 0800 515 495.