Football: France go-ahead for ticketless fans

THE Football Supporters' Association yesterday rejected the Government's advice for supporters not to travel to the World Cup finals in France without a ticket. The Government had warned fans not to travel if they did not have a valid ticket from either the Football Association or through the telephone hotline.

However, the FSA said it was unrealistic to expect supporters not to travel and said it would be giving advice on the pitfalls of buying black market tickets. They denied that this approach was likely to cause problems and told the Government it should have consulted them before launching its "no ticket, don't travel" campaign.

The FSA will be operating its mobile "Fans Embassy" mini-bus to follow England supporters around France giving advice and assistance and liaising with the local authorities. Kevin Miles of the FSA, who will staff the mini-bus, said: "I think there is a tiny minority of so-called fans who use football as a focus for organising violence. I think the police have that situation under control. I don't think our role is to act as a ticket agency but we will give people advice about what the dangers are."

Fans' hotline: 0870 6060721. FSA Mobile Embassy: 0956 121314.