Police braced for further hooliganism
Police across Britain and Portugal were tonight bracing themselves for further outbreaks of violence if Croatia end England’s Euro 2004 campaign tomorrow – as it emerged that hooligan ringleader Garry Mann could still face jail.
Officers across the UK are on alert for any repeat of the wave of disorder that broke out across the country following the team’s defeat by France.
Bricks and bottles were hurled at police and patrol cars set alight in the aftermath of Zinedine Zidane’s late double strike as disturbances were reported in London, Hertfordshire, Cambridge, Essex, Birmingham, Wakefield, and Lincolnshire.
More than 80 people were arrested and in Croydon, as many as 400 people were involved in clashes.
Preparations for tomorrow’s match come as UK Home Secretary David Blunkett vowed to “nail” football thug Garry Mann, who walked free from prison after an apparent legal blunder.
The UK Home Office confirmed that following a 15-day period in which the 46-year-old firefighter can appeal against his conviction or sentence, Portuguese authorities will decide whether he must serve a two year prison term.
It was imposed at a fast-track hearing this week following his role in rioting in the Algarve resort of Albufeira.
A spokeswoman said that Mann, a Birmingham City fan, could be made the subject of a European arrest warrant and returned to custody in Portugal.
Mr Blunkett earlier told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I am working very hard on this because I haven’t given up on the idea that we are going to be able to nail this individual.”
Mann, of Faversham, Kent, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court yesterday for the start of proceedings to ban him from attending football matches.
Across Britain, police are refining plans to prevent trouble tomorrow night, with officers in London urging fans to drink sensibly.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We are prepared for whatever may materialise. But if people want to misbehave, there is only so much officers can do to stop them.
“We are encouraging people to be sensible about the amount they drink and to ensure they do not ruin the game for others watching it.”
He confirmed that forces across the UK will target resources at potential local troublespots in an effort to stem any violence.
In Portugal, police have reported little trouble ahead of tomorrow’s final England group match, but David Swift, head of the British policing operation at the tournament, has called in extra officers.
A total of six more British police will be used to escort deported fans back to Britain and join two dozen colleagues already advising Portuguese authorities and carrying out hooligan “spotting” duties.
Mr Swift also appealed for English people to stay away from the strip of bars in Albufeira where trouble flared last week, calling it “the principal source of tensions”.
“Any subsequent protests of innocence from people arriving from that location are fairly hollow,” he said.
A total of 2,350 people are now formally banned from traveling to Portugal, plus around 500 whose bail conditions prevented them from going.
In a security operation at port and airports that began earlier this month, 67 people have so far been stopped from leaving the UK. Three others have been turned back on arrival in Portugal.
Fifty-three people have been arrested in Portugal, with a total of 35 sent back to the UK so far.
