Three neo-Nazis were sent back to Britain yesterday and four men were arrested for fighting American tourists on a Eurostar train as thousands of England fans flooded into Belgium for today's vital Euro 2000 match with Germany.
As security forces across western Europe stepped up their hunt for troublemakers heading for the match, 22 supporters from Barnsley were also turned back. The number of English fans sent home in the tournament's first week has risen to around 50, with 18 arrests.
Last night about 50 riot police moved in to break up trouble between England supporters and local Turks in Charleroi. After being goaded, the England fans chased the locals across the town's square hurling chairs.
Three members of the fascist group Combat 18 were sent back from Brussels after flying there from Heathrow, according to police sources. They were named as Paul Parish, 32, Paul Holiday, 37, and Nicholas Marsh, 34, all from Milton Keynes. They are believed to have more than 60 convictions between them for a variety of public and violence offences.
Another six fans on the same Eurostar train as the four arrested for fighting also face being sent back.
The 22 Barnsley fans were returned from Dussledorf airport, Germany, today. Three Aston Villa fans were sent back from Ostend. Others refused entry included men from Oldham and Bolton with football-related convictions, and two fans from Brighton, one from Oxford, one from Sunderland, one from Swindon and one from Leicester, at undisclosed locations.
Police estimate that up to 10,000 ticketless England fans could be in Belgium over the weekend and the match, which will decide England's Euro 2000 future, is a sell-out. Kevin Keegan's men must avoid defeat if they are to remain in the tournament.
Many England fans are staying in Brussels, 30 minutes away, and will arrive in Charleroi today. About 3,000 officers will be on duty, with another 120 on horseback.
Football Unlimited
Euro 2000 Official site
Football violence: special report
Football Association
National Criminal Intelligence Service