§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likelihood of English football hooligans obtaining tickets for Euro 2000 via the UEFA website; and what guidance he plans to issue to English fans intending to travel on the possibility of violence resulting from such sales. [105248]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Euro 2000 organisers are satisfied that their ticketing arrangements and controls will provide spectators with a safe and secure environment in the stadia and limit the potential for a significant black market in tickets. Experience suggests that the sale of tickets to individuals is easier to control, and poses less risk than a flourishing black market. Arrangements are in place for ensuring that tickets are not sold to people who are banned from attending football matches in their home country. This includes English hooligans who are subject to a Domestic or International Football Banning Order (or Exclusion or Restriction Order prior to enactment of the Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999).
The Government, police and Football Association are co-ordinating their preparations and are working closely with the host countries to minimise the risk of some English fans misbehaving during Euro 2000. Guidance will be issued to all fans prior to the tournament, but the 556W message from the Dutch and Belgian authorities is clear: "fans who behave themselves will be made welcome, those who do not will be dealt with very firmly".