Irish bars warned of racist threat

English fans have clashed with police in the Algarve

Irish bar owners in a Portuguese resort have been warned by police of threats against them by the National Front.

The threats follow recent disturbances in the town of Albufeira involving English fans who are in the country for the Euro 2004 football tournament.

The police visited three Irish owned bars warning staff of the danger from English racists.

One of the pubs is close to where most of the rioting took place.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Thursday, landlord Eddy Daly said he and two of his colleagues had been told to shut their premises at 2300 GMT.

"We have had security on and people are being allowed in by invitation only. We were worried when we first got the phone call but the police had told us before the games started to remain very vigilant and watch what was going on," he said.

So far one English fan has been sentenced to a two year jail term for his part in the disturbances in which up to 200 supporters clashed with police on Monday night.

Ten other England fans, seven of whom received suspended sentences, will also be deported from Portugal immediately. A twelfth was found not guilty.

On Tuesday night, another 33 England fans were held after similar scenes which prompted condemnation from Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Many fans had claimed the police were too heavy-handed, an accusation denied by the Portuguese.