Football hooligans going nowhere

TROUBLEMAKERS trying to travel to Holland to watch England take on the Dutch in tomorrow’s friendly match will be shown the red card.

Operation Clough will target known or potential soccer hooligans travelling from Manchester Airport.

Anyone identified will be stopped from travelling, have their passport seized and appear before magistrates within 24 hours.

Greater Manchester Police will make an application to the court for a football banning order, which if granted, lasts between three to five years.

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

GMP will also be rigorously enforcing banning orders that restrict the movements of known troublemakers. The Football Banning Order Authority (UKFBOA) has sent out letters to specific people who are subject to banning orders.

The recipients must follow certain courses of action, such as reporting to a police station on the day of the match and surrendering their passport. Any breaches of the conditions will be treated seriously.

Det Insp Kevin Fitzpatrick, of GMP’s Football Intelligence Unit, said: “We are committed to preventing known or potential troublemakers from travelling to Holland for this fixture. On a regular basis we have previously identified and subsequently banned these individuals at court.

“The message is clear: anyone who is trying to travel who is either subject to a football banning order or a known troublemaker will be identified and punished appropriately.

“We are determined to stop known troublemakers from spoiling the enjoyment of matches for genuine fans.”