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Football banning orders mean handing in passports for euro 2016 fans

Fans subject to football banning orders have been warned to surrender their passports this week, ahead of Euro 2016.

All banned fans must have handed in their passports by today, before the competition kicks off in France on Friday, when the host nation plays Romania.

Anyone who does not comply could be arrested.

Ch Supt Alison Roden of Kent Police said: “We are working with the French police to ensure a safe and trouble-free tournament, and would therefore like to remind those subject to football banning orders that they are required to surrender their passports to their nominated police station by June 1 or risk being arrested.

Fans subject to banning orders have been told to hand in their passports
Fans subject to banning orders have been told to hand in their passports

“Although the majority of UK football fans are law-abiding and peaceful, we know there will unfortunately be some intent on causing disorder.

“I would like to reassure supporters that experienced officers will be deployed to identify and prevent high-risk individuals travelling before and during the tournament, to help ensure Euro 2016 is remembered for all the right reasons."

“Those intent on causing trouble will be brought to the attention of the French authorities to take the appropriate action” - Ch Supt Alison Roden

Among football fans currently banned are Tony Jackson, of Medway Road, Sheerness, who was banned from football grounds for three years after hurling racist abuse at a young player during a game at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium in 2014; and Michael O’Shea, of River View, Canterbury, who was banned for three years when Gills fans clashed with Swindon Town supporters in Gillingham the same year.

Their bans followed that of 17-year-old Joshua Sanders, who ran on to the pitch at the Priestfield and assaulted the Wycombe goalkeeper during a game in 2013, and was banned from all football grounds for five years.

Other fans who were given three-year banning orders in 2013 will be able to travel to the games, as their orders have just come to an end.

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