Hooligans warned: ‘You will be caught’

FOOTBALL hooligans are being warned not to travel to Barcelona for tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier between Andorra and England.

Operation Hillingdon will target known or potential troublemakers travelling from Manchester Airport.

Plain-clothed football intelligence and uniformed police officers will be stationed at the airport from today until the game is finished.

Greater Manchester Police will also be monitoring other routes which fans may take and letters have been sent to people who are subject to banning orders.

During the Champions League final in Moscow earlier this year, GMP officers secured the conviction of a known troublemaker who travelled using a false passport. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

Chief Inspector Alan Wood, from Manchester Airport police, said: “We are sending out a clear message to travellers intending to commit violence to think again.

“Football banning orders are in place for a reason. They are there to stop known troublemakers from going to football matches and behaving in an anti-social way, spoiling it for those genuine fans who want to enjoy the match.

“The message is clear: you will be caught and you will be punished.”