FA turns down Turkey tickets

There are fears England fans may not be welcome in Turkey

The Football Association has turned down its allocation of tickets for England's Euro 2004 qualifying match in Turkey in October.

An estimated 3,000 to 6,000 fans were expected to travel but the FA have cited concerns over safety and security as their reasons for not taking up their allocation.

A similar decision could also be taken concerning England's fixture in Macedonia in September.

"It was the unanimous view of the Board that the FA should not take its allocation of tickets for the match against Turkey," read a statement on the FA website.

"This decision was reached after wide consultation and with a view to the safety and security of all fans, Turkish and English.

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"It was taken early so as to avoid fans making unnecessary travel arrangements.

"The FA strongly urges England fans not to travel to Turkey."

The deaths of two Leeds fans in Istanbul in 2000 resulted in the relationship between the two sets of fans deteriorating.

And there were crowd disturbances during England's 2-0 win against Turkey in April with tensions high surrounding the game.

English football's governing body were fined £68,000 by Uefa for the racist abuse and pitch invasions at that match.

The FA wants to avoid similar trouble at the reverse fixture, especially as the game will be the final one of the group and could decide who goes through automatically to the European Championships in Portugal.