Police crack down on banned fans heading to Euros

Greater Manchester Police specialist football unit has stepped up enforcement of banning orders

About 150 football fans barred from travelling to matches abroad have been forced to surrender their passports to police.

Greater Manchester Police said about 98% of those in the region with football banning orders (FBOs) had complied with the rule designed to crack down on disorder during Euro 2024.

Officers have been stationed at Manchester Airport to identify "high-risk supporters as people fly out to watch the tournament", PC Matt Ford said.

Any fans found misbehaving in Germany could be prosecuted on their return, he added.

Police ran checks of fans travelling through Manchester Airport to Euro 2024

The 152 fans with banning orders in place were asked to hand in their passports to their nearest police station on 4 and 5 June.

About 90% gave up the documents, with the passports of a further 8% taken by police after visits to fans' homes.

Those who ignore the terms of the orders risk a £5,000 fine.

The bans are issued by courts to stop certain people attending games to cut down on disorder.

Ch Insp Jamie Collins said a number of GMP officers had been deployed in Germany to look out for anyone banned from travelling or "suspected of potentially causing trouble".

The force had separately launched an operation to tackle domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour, hate crime and public disorder, all of which had risen during previous tournaments, he added.

"Whatever the results are, we understand that emotions will be heightened, but we ask supporters to be mindful of the impact that negative behaviour can have on fellow supporters and our communities."