Tight security for Euro 2000

Police are hoping to avoid a repetition of these scenes in Denmark

By Sports correspondent Harry Peart in Brussels

Concern over football violence has forced the return of passport controls on the eve of the European Championship.

Security forces in Belgium and the Netherlands are preparing for the influx of football fans and are hoping to thwart known football hooligans entering the countries.

The slogan for this European Championship is 'football without frontiers'. But with the known potential for violence from England, German and Turkish fans amongst others, the organisers have had to suspend the European Union rules which give free access across borders.

The authorities had early success when they turned back two known English hooligans trying to enter the Netherlands, and Germany has banned at least 60 known troublemakers and will keep checks on others.

Amsterdam is celebrating the beginning of the festival

British police had circulated the names of about 500 identified as capable of causing violence, and the intelligence services will have spotters travelling with groups of fans to identify those known to them.

But Germany and the organisers have been critical of the absence of British laws enabling the authorities to withdraw passports.

The potential for violence was increased following the stabbing of two Leeds United fans in Turkey.

This led to further disturbances when another English club, Arsenal, played Galatasaray in the final of the Uefa Cup in Copenhagen.

The England-Germany fixture in eight days time has been identified as a high risk, but around the other seven venues, there are plenty of potential flashpoints - not least in Brussels itself.

The numerous bars in the Belgian capital will be a magnet for many fans, including those from Germany, England and Turkey, after they have played their first games.

Brussels is welcoming the influx of fans, but the police warn that they are prepared and ready for anything.