Belgian police in strike threat

Dutch and Belgian police will be aiming to prevent scenes like this

Nearly half the Belgian police force is threatening to strike during the European Championships, raising fears about fans' safety.

Host nations Belgium and the Netherlands had made thorough preparations to cover potential trouble at next month's competition, with both countries promising draconian measures against hooligans.

We may not be the biggest police union but we're very influential in a number of places where Euro 2000 matches will be played

Police union spokesman

But the possible strike action by one of Belgian's police unions could undermine all the hard work.

After last week's violence before the Uefa Cup Final between Arsenal and Galatasaray in Copenhagen, ensuring fans safety at Euro 2000 is paramount.

The police wing of the SLFP public sector union, which represents about 6,000 officers around the country, has given Interior Minister Antoine Duquesne two days to agree to talks about police reforms, or it will recommend strike action.

Union spokesman Vincent Gilles said: "We may not be the biggest police union but we're very influential in a number of places where Euro 2000 matches will be played.

Nearly half the Belgian force could strike

"We could represent up to 40% of the people who will be on duty on given days during Euro 2000."

Police unions in Belgium have been in dispute with the government over the terms of sweeping reforms of policing in the wake of a number of scandals.

The three biggest unions have already reached agreement with Duquesne, while SLFP is still holding out for a better deal.

Gilles admitted that under Belgian law, Duquesne has the power to oblige policemen to work, even if they are theoretically on strike.