euro-spy: Spies, damned spies and the Portuguese

Euro 96 fans with free official vouchers to see the Portuguese squad in training sessions over the weekend were, to their dismay, told to stay away.

The Portuguese coaching staff feared that there might have been rival spies among the 300 local people given tickets to see them training at Ilkeston Town's New Manor Ground.

The local Euro 96 spokesman said: "The Portuguese manager is worried that some people may get in who will feed back information to rival sides. But, as I have tried to impress upon their delegation, there is a very interested local population which feels it should be drawn into the spirit of Euro 96." As long as they don't have Croatian relatives...