English top Euro hooligan threat

Hooligans from England, Germany and the Netherlands are being targeted as the main threats to this year's European championship in Portugal, its top security organiser said on Friday.

Nuno Magalhaes, an Interior Ministry secretary of state heading tournament security, said keeping hooligans out was the first line of defence at the 16-team event.

"Historically, the fans that create the biggest problems are from England, Holland and Germany. Obviously, they are in the minority," Magalhaes told Reuters.

"We are getting ready, preventively, so that (hooligans) don't come. Second, if they do come, the security forces will have a reaction that is fast, effective and proportional, with the least damage possible."

In an effort to keep British hooligans out, Portugal and Britain will sign a cooperation agreement on Monday. It includes a provision that lets Britain seize the passports of about 2,500 known hooligans just before the June 12 start of the three-week tournament.

The measure has been used ahead of other international soccer events. Magalhaes said Portugal was weighing asking for a similar agreement from the Netherlands and Germany, but declined to provide details.

However, he said Adjunct Minister Jose Luis Arnaut, heading the government's organisation of the tournament, had gone to Germany last week to discuss security issues.

"We are in contact with all the security forces of all the participating countries," said Magalhaes, a 31-year-old Angolan-born lawyer.

Organisers are expecting about 500,000 fans for the tournament, which is being held at 10 stadiums around the Iberian nation.

LEAVE CANCELLED

About 60,000 police, firefighters, coastguards, immigration officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers will be on hand, Magalhaes said. Leave has been cancelled for the duration of the tournament.

About 120 police officers from participating countries will be in Portugal to help combat troublemakers. Britain has the biggest single contingent, with 21 officers.

Magalhaes said authorities were targeting three first-round games for potential violence. They are France against England in Lisbon on June 13, Germany versus the Netherlands in Porto on June 15 and Croatia against England six days later in Lisbon.

However, he said, "All games are considered high risk."

Asked what his biggest headache was, Magalhaes said, "They are all headaches. Transportation, emergency medical help, security on the beaches -- you have to worry about people getting drunk and maybe drowning."