Some English fans barred from Gelsenkirchen, Munich (Reuters) Updated: 2006-06-27 09:13 Some 130 England fans who
were detained after violence flared on Saturday in Stuttgart before England's
World Cup match with Ecuador will be barred from the cities of Gelsenkirchen and
Munich, police said on Monday.
The western industrial city of Gelsenkirchen hosts England's quarter-final
against Portugal on Saturday while the Bavarian capital Munich stages the July 5
semi-final in which England would play if they advance to the last four.
"To date the mood surrounding the World Cup has been happy and peaceful in
Munich and that is how things should stay," Munich city administrator Wilfried
Blume-Beyerle said.
Munich police had information that some violent England supporters planned to
come to Munich to cause similar trouble to that which flared in Stuttgart, he
added.
Over 60,000 England fans were in the southern city for the second-round game
with Ecuador, which England won 1-0, and fighting broke out on Saturday between
several hundred England and German supporters, prompting police to intervene.
Rioters threw bottles, tables and chairs in a square in the city centre.
Fourteen Germans and five people from other nations were also held.
The English have a long history of soccer-related violence but there had been
little trouble in Germany, with only a small number of arrests for mostly
drunken behaviour or people trying to get into a stadium without a ticket.
Germany's police union said on Monday the first two weeks of the month-long
tournament had been largely trouble free and any problems had been swiftly dealt
with.
"Despite all the prophecies of doom, our colleagues around the country have
confirmed that the biggest security challenge for decades is being met extremely
well," union chief Wolfgang Speck said.
"In both the stadiums and the public viewing areas police have been able to
ensure security with action that is restrained but firm when necessary," he
added.
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