Police alert as England play Turkey

It began in April 2000 when two Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death in Istanbul before a Champions League match against Turkey’s biggest club, Galatasaray. The following month Arsenal and Galatasaray fans fought running battles in Copenhagen before the Uefa Cup final, which the Turkish club won.
It is feared that the 4,500 Turkish fans expected tonight could clash with several hundred Leeds hooligans intent on revenge.
Leeds is only an hour away from Sunderland and police intelligence reports indicate that an orchestrated attack may be planned, in which Leeds supporters may be joined by those from Stoke, Cardiff and other clubs with a history of hooliganism.
A police source said: “We have been monitoring these people in the days running up to the game because it’s then that their plans take shape and get firmed up.”
The British Transport police said it would deploy more officers than usual to keep an eye on the many Turkish and English fans travelling from the south.
The 8pm kickoff makes it likely that many fans will have been drinking all day, and the Tyne and Wear Metro, the main transport to the ground, may have problems coping with the number of passengers, particularly afterwards.
England fans were involved in running battles with Swiss police at the weekend before England’s 2-0 win in Liechtenstein. Two fans were shot and three stabbed.
Police officers will patrol pubs this afternoon and tonight and all licensed premises in the area will use plastic cups instead of glasses.
It is feared that the main flashpoint may be Newcastle city centre after the game.
Superintendent Jim Campbell said: “We will have a large police presence around the ground and in the city to enable fans to watch the match in a safe environment.
Turkish and English fans staged a display of unity yesterday at a British Council event to promote peaceful rivalry.