Police move to block hooligans and touts travelling to Moscow

Police have issued banning orders on 152 suspected hooligans ahead of the European Cup final.

The fans – 83 linked to United, 59 to Chelsea – have been told to surrender their passports at least five days before the game in Moscow on 21 May. Several known ticket touts have also been ordered to surrender their passports at least five days before the game.

The orders came as the officer in charge of policing British fans in Moscow warned that hardcore Russian hooligans would see the game as a golden opportunity to confront their English counterparts.

"The risk will come from a hooligan element in Russia," Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Thomas, warned. "The Russians model themselves on English supporters in the Seventies and Eighties. They are mad and their mentality is that violence is part of football.

"The Russian authorities are doing a massive amount to deal with that, and the message to English fans is don't let the Russian hooligans drag you into trouble."

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