Football fans banned from leaving UK

Tuesday 05 June 2001 00:00 BST

Hundreds of suspected football hooligans have been ordered to hand in their passports in an attempt to stop any trouble at tomorrow's World Cup match between England and Greece

More than 450 people have been banned from leaving the country in the first use of new powers under the Football Disorder Act which was introduced after trouble involving hooligans at Euro 2000.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Under the Football Disorder Act 2000, over 450 individuals subject to the banning orders will be prevented from travelling to Greece. This comes into force five days before the match takes place.

"There hasn't been any significant disorder involving England fans since Euro 2000 last August, but the police will now look closely at this."

Many England fans have already arrived in Athens fr the match, but there have been no reports of any clashes.

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