Hooligans face Euro 2000 ban

Worries over hooligans overshadow championships

Two football hooligans could on Friday be banned from travelling to the Euro 2000 Championships under new legislation.

The bans, if issued by Oxford Magistrates, would be the first imposed by a British court to stop known hooligans travelling to matches outside the country following a conviction.

The Oxford United fans, Patrick Vigilante, 32, and Graham Lewis, 40, were convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court earlier this year following violent clashes at the Scotland versus England match last November in the Euro 2000 play-off.

The action comes just days before England's first match in the finals and amid fears that hooliganism at the tournament could wreck the UK's chances of hosting the 2006 World Cup.

The International Football Banning Orders could be issued under the Football and Offences Disorder Act 1999.

Surrender passports

Mr Vigilante, from Witney, Oxfordshire, and the subject of four previous domestic football bans, was fined £5,000 for his role in running battles with Scottish fans in Glasgow.

Mr Lewis, from Cowley, Oxford, was fined £200 for breach of the peace following trouble outside the stadium.

Under the new Act, courts now have the power to issue the International Football Banning Orders forcing individuals to surrender their passports up to five days in advance of an international fixture.

Offenders can also be made to attend police stations during matches.

Failure to comply with banning orders can result in immediate arrest.