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Friday, 5 May 2006, 16:31 GMT 17:31 UK

German police urge Nazi march ban

March by far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) in Berlin (archive pic) The German police union has urged the courts not to authorise any neo-Nazi demonstrations near the venues for the football World Cup.

Hooliganism is a major concern for police as they prepare for the tournament, which kicks off on 9 June.

The union's president, Konrad Freiberg, said neo-Nazis had already applied to hold five marches during the Cup.

He said police would be fully stretched ensuring security at the matches and did not want an extra burden.

"The neo-Nazis have found the World Cup to be a welcome platform for their propaganda," he told a police security forum in Berlin on Friday.

At a separate World Cup conference on Friday hosted by the British embassy in Berlin, several British and German former players briefed politicians on their experiences of racism and discussed how to overcome it.

A racist attack on a German man of African origin recently raised concerns about the safety of black fans during the World Cup.

Former Spurs striker Garth Crooks and ex-Ghanaian international Anthony Baffoe attended the embassy conference.

On Saturday there will be a game between Muslim imams and Christian ministers in Berlin - part of the anti-racism initiative.

Some human rights activists have warned that black football fans coming to the World Cup should avoid certain areas of the former East Germany for their own safety.



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Related to this story:
Two held over German race attack (21 Apr 06 |  Europe )
World Cup guide for England fans (04 Apr 06 |  UK )
German police 'will protect fans' (22 Mar 06 |  UK )
World Cup plans to stop hooligans (09 Mar 06 |  UK )
Germany beefs up anti-Nazi laws (11 Mar 05 |  Europe )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
British Embassy: World Cup site
German police union
World Cup 2006
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