'Zero tolerance' warning to soccer thugs

Brussels police used tear gas to disperse rowdy crowds

Dutch police are warning potential troublemakers ahead of England's Euro 2000 match with Portugal that they will meet violence with violence.

We will arrest them or we will come down on them hard

Johann Beelan
Eindhoven Police

Up to 17,000 England fans travelling without tickets are expected in Eindhoven for their team's opening game on Monday.

It is expected to be a major test of Euro 2000's security arrangements and police are warning that tear gas and batons will be used if there is any trouble.

Over £10m has been spent by police on extra security measures for the tournament.

Eindhoven Police spokesman Johann Beelen said: "Eindhoven police is known as friendly but strict so we will be there in normal dress. But if there is trouble we will arrest them or we will come down on them hard."

Suspected hooligans

The Dutch police warning came as their Brussels counterparts used tear gas to disperse crowds after a stand-off with fans after Belgium's 2-1 win over Sweden.

Brussels police arrest a man during disturbances

Officers in riot gear fired tear gas to disperse thousands of rowdy soccer fans when flag-waving turned into bottle-throwing within hours of Belgium's 2-1 win over Sweden.

City centre streets were cordoned off late on Saturday night and riot police tackled crowds trying to reach the Grand' Place after it was declared a no-go-zone.

Earlier on Saturday about two dozen suspected English football hooligans were turned back at the Dutch and Belgian borders.

Their names were on a list of known or suspected hooligans passed to police in the host counties.

Two UK soccer thugs travelling to Belgium on the Eurostar were also turned back after being spotted by British Transport Police.

Other convicted hooligans were ejected from Holland after being intercepted at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

Zero tolerance

Eindhoven has so far been peaceful as hundreds of fans used local cafes and bars.

However with thousands more fans expected before Monday's match, police are operating a zero tolerance policy.

Mr Beelan said offenders would be arrested for comparatively minor offences such as swearing at police, urinating in the street or not carrying a passport.

Over 2,000 police officers will line Eindhoven's streets to prevent trouble erupting between rival fans.

As yet no English fans have been arrested in the city.

A spokesman for the UK National Criminal Intelligence Service said the security operation to stop known thugs from going to the championship was already working.

Hooligans who might normally have attempted to sneak through border controls were staying at home because they knew they had already been identified and would be trapped, the spokesman said.

'Poor reputation'

Many English supporters are expected to head for Amsterdam, where police have 1,100 officers on duty over the weekend.

Despite various court measures aimed at banning convicted hooligans from travelling, England fans arriving in Amsterdam have predicted there will be trouble at various stages of the tournament.

Members of the England Travel Club said violence was deplorable but inevitable.

"Unfortunately our reputation goes before us, and it's not only the European Championship for football, but the European Championship for violence," said Phil Jones, 34, a transport manager from Grimsby.

There are also fears of the potential for violence at England's high-profile game against Germany on 17 June.