England fans monitored at airport

Officers will be at the airport until after the game has finished

Police are at Manchester airport to try to prevent football hooligans travelling to Spain for the England 2010 World Cup qualifier.

Plain clothes and uniformed officers will be enforcing football banning orders in Operation Hillingdon.

Greater Manchester police said they will be monitoring all available routes fans can take to Barcelona for the game against Andorra on Saturday.

Ch Insp Alan Wood said official spotters will also be at the airport.

The Football Banning Order Authority (UKFBOA) has sent out letters to specific people who are subject to Banning Orders.

'Clear message'

During the Champions League Final earlier this year, Greater Manchester Police officers working as spotters secured the conviction of a known troublemaker who travelled using a false passport.

Ch Insp Wood said: "We are sending out a clear message to people intending to travel to commit violence to think again.

"Plain clothes officers will be working to spot known troublemakers and uniformed officers will be providing a high-visibility presence at the airport, talking to fans and monitoring the situation.

"Football banning orders are in place for a reason.

"They are there to stop people who are known troublemakers from going to football matches and behaving in an anti-social way, spoiling it for those genuine fans that want to enjoy the match."