29/05/2003
Captain Becks calls for calm from England supporters
England captain David Beckham is expected to make a televised appeal to fans to behave when they attend future internationals.
Ahead of next Tuesday's friendly against Serbia and Montenegro, Beckham will ask England supporters to avoid a repeat of the scenes that took place before last month's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey at the Stadium of Light which was marred by a number of pitch invasions.
After Tuesday's friendly, England will host Slovakia at Middlesbrough's Riverside ground in another European Championships qualifier and the England skipper is "concerned" about the consequences should there be more trouble.
Beckham believes that the comeback on more violence would be England's exclusion from Euro 2004.
"We have to be careful about our celebrations. I don't believe the players were responsible but we have to cut it down," he said.
"We have to celebrate in the middle of the pitch instead of by the corner flag. We want to stay in the competition."
The FA's Head of Media Relations spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "David regards this as hugely important and his message is directed at England fans everywhere. He knows the gravity of this situation.
"We, as a country, have had a very serious warning about our future conduct and no self-respecting fan wants the team playing behind closed doors or even being thrown out of a tournament."
The English Football Association was handed a record fine on May 11 by UEFA and issued with a final warning on the future conduct of fans, following the Turkey game.
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body found the FA guilty of the disciplinary charges and fined them euro 99,000 - the highest ever fine for a racism-related charge. The decision was in response to pitch incursions and racist chanting at the UEFA EURO 2004 between England and Turkey played on 2 April in Sunderland.
UEFA expressed its "grave concern" at the potential risk that occurred to match participants - both players and officials - and "totally condemned" the offensive and racist verbal abuse of opposing fans.
(GMcG)
Ahead of next Tuesday's friendly against Serbia and Montenegro, Beckham will ask England supporters to avoid a repeat of the scenes that took place before last month's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey at the Stadium of Light which was marred by a number of pitch invasions.
After Tuesday's friendly, England will host Slovakia at Middlesbrough's Riverside ground in another European Championships qualifier and the England skipper is "concerned" about the consequences should there be more trouble.
Beckham believes that the comeback on more violence would be England's exclusion from Euro 2004.
"We have to be careful about our celebrations. I don't believe the players were responsible but we have to cut it down," he said.
"We have to celebrate in the middle of the pitch instead of by the corner flag. We want to stay in the competition."
The FA's Head of Media Relations spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "David regards this as hugely important and his message is directed at England fans everywhere. He knows the gravity of this situation.
"We, as a country, have had a very serious warning about our future conduct and no self-respecting fan wants the team playing behind closed doors or even being thrown out of a tournament."
The English Football Association was handed a record fine on May 11 by UEFA and issued with a final warning on the future conduct of fans, following the Turkey game.
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body found the FA guilty of the disciplinary charges and fined them euro 99,000 - the highest ever fine for a racism-related charge. The decision was in response to pitch incursions and racist chanting at the UEFA EURO 2004 between England and Turkey played on 2 April in Sunderland.
UEFA expressed its "grave concern" at the potential risk that occurred to match participants - both players and officials - and "totally condemned" the offensive and racist verbal abuse of opposing fans.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 June 2003
England fans told to be on best behaviour
The English Football Association has repeated its warning to fans that there will be "serious consequences" if there is any racial or violent behaviour at England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Middlesbrough this evening.
England fans told to be on best behaviour
The English Football Association has repeated its warning to fans that there will be "serious consequences" if there is any racial or violent behaviour at England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Middlesbrough this evening.
08 October 2003
England fans warned to stay away from Istanbul clash
The Foreign Office has today strongly advised England fans not to travel to this weekend's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul. The advice follows up on Uefa's decision to ban England fans from travelling to Turkey after serious clashes involving both sets of fans at the first leg tie in Sunderland last April.
England fans warned to stay away from Istanbul clash
The Foreign Office has today strongly advised England fans not to travel to this weekend's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul. The advice follows up on Uefa's decision to ban England fans from travelling to Turkey after serious clashes involving both sets of fans at the first leg tie in Sunderland last April.
25 October 2006
FA charged over Zagreb violence
Uefa has charged both the Football Association and the Croatian Federation with improper behaviour at their Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia. Police in Zagreb were forced to use batons on travelling fans following clashes with riot police, before England lost 2-0 on October 11.
FA charged over Zagreb violence
Uefa has charged both the Football Association and the Croatian Federation with improper behaviour at their Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia. Police in Zagreb were forced to use batons on travelling fans following clashes with riot police, before England lost 2-0 on October 11.
17 June 2004
Eleven England fans deported following Monday riot
A Portuguese judge has sentenced a 46-year-old England football fan to two years in prison for his part in a riot in the Algarve. Gary Mann, from Faversham in Kent, will be deported to serve the custodial sentence in an English jail. Ten other English fans arrested will also face deportation. One further England supporter was found not guilty.
Eleven England fans deported following Monday riot
A Portuguese judge has sentenced a 46-year-old England football fan to two years in prison for his part in a riot in the Algarve. Gary Mann, from Faversham in Kent, will be deported to serve the custodial sentence in an English jail. Ten other English fans arrested will also face deportation. One further England supporter was found not guilty.
16 April 2004
England coach calls for good behaviour at Euro 2004
England's football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged fans to behave at Euro 2004 – saying that it would be a massive disaster if the national side had to leave the tournament for non-footballing reasons.
England coach calls for good behaviour at Euro 2004
England's football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged fans to behave at Euro 2004 – saying that it would be a massive disaster if the national side had to leave the tournament for non-footballing reasons.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.