Post by Salem6 on Jun 7, 2004 18:04:23 GMT
By Trevor Huggins
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is urging England fans to behave at Euro 2004, warning that hooliganism could mean expulsion from the tournament and "damage beyond imagination" to English soccer.
In a strongly-worded open letter published on Monday, Eriksson reminded fans of UEFA's threat to remove England from Euro 2004 if there were any repeat of the racism and violence which marred a qualifying win over Turkey in April 2003.
Eriksson, whose men open their campaign next Sunday against France, said: "Ahead of us lie the likes of Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane, but also the uncertainty of whether the violence and disorder involving England fans that has clouded past tournaments will raise its ugly head again.
"This must not happen: for the players, for the vast majority of decent fans, for the nation as a whole.
"The England supporters carry a weighty responsibility. If there are any serious incidents of hooliganism or anti-social behaviour, we risk expulsion from Euro 2004. The image of our game, and of the country, would be damaged beyond imagination."
England fans already have a notorious reputation for trouble after incidents at Euro 92 in Sweden, the 1998 World Cup in France and Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
NEGATIVE INCIDENTS
Though acknowledging the lift which the large number of travelling supporters gives their team, Eriksson said: "There have been negative incidents during our qualifying campaign; in Bratislava, in Zurich, and in Sunderland.
"Much work needs to be done before the shadow of hooliganism is banished. It is not just about combating violence, it is also about fully restoring the good name of English football fans."
Looking ahead to his team's chances in Portugal, where they face France, Switzerland and Croatia in Group B, Eriksson saw a chance of adding to England's solitary major trophy, the 1966 World Cup; provided the fans behaved.
"It has been a long time since England claimed a major prize, but with our key players fit we can go into the tournament with confidence," he said.
"What a tragedy it would be, not only for the team but for the millions of England fans, if events off the pitch denied them this chance of glory."
The government will be banning up 2,700 soccer hooligans from leaving the country during Euro 2004, which runs from June 12 to July 4.
Eriksson's men open their campaign against France in Lisbon, with the Portuguese authorities expecting to host about 50,000 England fans during the tournament.
www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=5355949&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is urging England fans to behave at Euro 2004, warning that hooliganism could mean expulsion from the tournament and "damage beyond imagination" to English soccer.
In a strongly-worded open letter published on Monday, Eriksson reminded fans of UEFA's threat to remove England from Euro 2004 if there were any repeat of the racism and violence which marred a qualifying win over Turkey in April 2003.
Eriksson, whose men open their campaign next Sunday against France, said: "Ahead of us lie the likes of Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane, but also the uncertainty of whether the violence and disorder involving England fans that has clouded past tournaments will raise its ugly head again.
"This must not happen: for the players, for the vast majority of decent fans, for the nation as a whole.
"The England supporters carry a weighty responsibility. If there are any serious incidents of hooliganism or anti-social behaviour, we risk expulsion from Euro 2004. The image of our game, and of the country, would be damaged beyond imagination."
England fans already have a notorious reputation for trouble after incidents at Euro 92 in Sweden, the 1998 World Cup in France and Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
NEGATIVE INCIDENTS
Though acknowledging the lift which the large number of travelling supporters gives their team, Eriksson said: "There have been negative incidents during our qualifying campaign; in Bratislava, in Zurich, and in Sunderland.
"Much work needs to be done before the shadow of hooliganism is banished. It is not just about combating violence, it is also about fully restoring the good name of English football fans."
Looking ahead to his team's chances in Portugal, where they face France, Switzerland and Croatia in Group B, Eriksson saw a chance of adding to England's solitary major trophy, the 1966 World Cup; provided the fans behaved.
"It has been a long time since England claimed a major prize, but with our key players fit we can go into the tournament with confidence," he said.
"What a tragedy it would be, not only for the team but for the millions of England fans, if events off the pitch denied them this chance of glory."
The government will be banning up 2,700 soccer hooligans from leaving the country during Euro 2004, which runs from June 12 to July 4.
Eriksson's men open their campaign against France in Lisbon, with the Portuguese authorities expecting to host about 50,000 England fans during the tournament.
www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=5355949&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news