Scuffles mar big match build-up

Belgium police: Double zero tolerance policy

Skirmishes have broken out between football fans and police in Belgium ahead of England's crucial match against Germany.

The trouble started in the main square in Charleroi, the venue for the game, around lunchtime, with scuffles between English and German fans.

Police brought in water cannon to separate the fans, who responded by throwing chairs and bottles.

Lines of riot police sealed off England fans at one side of the square and Germans at the other.

The atmosphere in the main square had remained largely upbeat and trouble-free before scuffles started between a minority of soccer supporters.

Belgian police said 131 people had been arrested following Saturday's violence.

The first of more than 300 England fans sent back to the UK after violence on Friday landed at Manchester International Airport at about 1530 on Saturday.

Around 40 people were brought back on board a Belgian Air Force Hercules transport plane, wich was taken to a remote part of the airfield and was met by Greater Manchester Police.

Others are returning on a ship specially chartered by the Belgian government, due to arrive in Dover on Saturday afternoon.

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A total of 374 England supporters were arrested by Belgian police in Charleroi and the capital, Brussels, after disturbances on the eve of England's Euro 2000 clash with Germany.

An England football fan stabbed in the back during violent clashes with local youths in the centre of Charleroi on Friday is in a stable condition in hospital.

Police in Belgium, who fired tear gas to control the violence, had warned of a "double zero tolerance" policy towards troublemakers.

Combat 18

The number of Britons being refused entry to Belgium, Holland and Germany continues to grow.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service in London confirmed that three members of fascist group Combat 18 were turned back from Brussels airport on Friday.

The three men, all in their 30s, are believed to have over 60 convictions between them for public order and violence offences.

Others fans are expected to be returned on six flights to an undisclosed UK airport, while authorities may also turn away some soccer fans arriving in Belgium by Eurostar.

Rioting fans in Charleroi used chairs as ammunition

The mayor of Brussels, Francois-Xavier de Donnea, described the behaviour of English fans as "disgusting" and defended the hardline approach taken by police to round up the troublemakers.

About 31 fans could appear in court in Brussels on criminal charges ranging from causing injury to inciting violence, and vandalism.

Tougher measures

Home Office minister Lord Bassam supported the police action and said that yet more could be done.

"I would like to see tougher measures with regard to travelling restrictions for those with football-related convictions. That's something we will have to look at the end of the tournament," he said.

The violence overnight is likely to increase tensions in Charleroi, where at least 16,000 England fans are expected for the vital game against Germany, which kicks off at 1945BST.

Authorities are hoping to quell any disturbances by posting 3,000 officers, including 600 riot police, on the streets ahead of the game.

Belgian police have promised zero tolerance

The stabbing of the English fan, who has not been named, is thought to have been carried out by a member of Charleroi's sizeable Turkish population.

The trouble in Brussels is believed to have started after police closed an Irish pub in the Place de la Bourse.

Riot police fired tear gas into the bar to force out rowdy England fans who had barricaded themselves inside, chanting and throwing chairs and beer bottles at police.

Concerns have been raised that the 30,000-seat Stade du Pays de Charleroi stadium to be far too small for one of Euro 2000's hottest games.