According to the Daily Mail, over 1,600 British football fans have been prohibited from traveling to Germany to watch the Euros as part of efforts to combat hooliganism.
During the tournament, which runs from June 4 to July 14, more than 1,600 fans will be required to surrender their passports to the police to ensure they do not attempt to attend matches in Germany. Failure to hand in passports or attempting to travel to Germany could result in substantial fines or imprisonment, with a maximum sentence of six months.
In the previous season, 2,264 arrests were made due to football-related disturbances, and 682 banning orders were issued – the highest figure since 2011.
Home Office Minister Chris Philp said, “The vast majority of fans are law-abiding, but we will take a zero-tolerance approach to those who spoil it for others. These measures will ensure genuine fans can attend matches safely and prevent football hooligans from committing these crimes abroad. There is no place for violence, abuse, and disorder in the game we love.”
The banning orders, issued by courts following convictions for football-related offenses, can include violence, disorder, pitch invasions, use of pyrotechnics, and online hate. They prohibit convicted fans from attending matches in person for up to five years, or up to ten if a custodial sentence is imposed.