30 England fans arrested at Istanbul Airport
30 England fans have been arrested at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport after trying to enter the country, according to Turkish police.
The fans travelled in the hope of seeing England play in today’s Euro 2004 Qualifier showdown against Turkey.
The FA, fearing violence at the game, declined its allocation of tickets and instructed fans to stay away.
The fans at the airport were barred entry and now face deportation.
A list of more than 1,000 known England hooligans with banning orders was distributed to border officials and British police have been assisting their Turkish counterparts on spotting the troublemakers.
They will probably be flown back home on Saturday morning.
Three hooligans known to police have already been deported.
Turkey are one point behind England in Group Seven and must win in Istanbul on Saturday to qualify automatically for next year’s finals.
In 2000, two Leeds United fans were stabbed to death after fighting broke out before a UEFA Cup match against Galatasaray.
