BBC News | UK | England fans are 'no hooligans'

England fans heading for the World Cup in Japan are being warned they will need to be on best behaviour or face the red card.

It is part of an initiative to reassure the Japanese that English fans are not hooligans.

Taking off your shirt in public places is unacceptable and tattoos "may cause offence", according to guidelines drawn up by The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Tattoos in Japan are heavily associated with organised crime as most gangsters, or yakuza, tend to sport all over body tattoos.

We have told them we expect most English to be peaceful

Foreign Office spokeswoman
An FCO spokeswoman said: "Their concern in Japan is that English fans are associated with hooliganism.

"We have a close relationship with the Japanese authorities and we are working in Japan to advise them on what to expect.

"Our embassy has held various public diplomacy initiatives working with Japanese people and helping them to understand what to expect.

"We have told them we expect most English to be peaceful."

Excessive drinking

The British Embassy in Tokyo and the FCO have also published a leaflet for England fans advising them how to behave, plus tips on how to find their way around and useful Japanese phrases.

The 'Handy Guide for England supporters' - which is being sent to ticket holders - warns that tattoos are associated with criminals in Japan and should be kept out of sight.

Other advice includes:

Loud or boisterous behaviour in public is less accepted than it is in the UK

Avoid drinking "to excess"

Do not take your shirt off in public places as "exposed upper bodies may cause offence"

Avoid sleeping in the streets or at unofficial camping sites

More detailed advice is available to World Cup ticket holders via the FCO website.

The British Embassy in Tokyo has sent out 40,000 leaflets to local businesses, to counter fears expressed in the Japanese media that the English bring trouble with them.

Tough police tactics

The pamphlet explains that the fans are very enthusiastic and like to analyse each match over a drink or two before returning to their hotels.

It also says hooliganism before or after England's games has not occurred for many years thanks to a crackdown on troublemakers.

The bi-lingual leaflet includes useful phrases such as "welcome" and "England are a great team" and can be unfolded to show the cross of St George, for display in shop windows.

The FCO has warned fans those who break the law may be arrested and detained for up to 27 days while the police investigate the case.

This applies for even minor offences.

Offenders may then face on-the-spot fines, be further detained, deported or face imprisonment.

England play all their first round matches in Japan, against Sweden on 2 June, Argentina on 7 June and Nigeria on 12 June.


		^^ Back to top News Front Page \| World \| UK \| UK Politics \| Business \| Sci/Tech \| Health \| Education \| Entertainment \| Talking Point \| In Depth \| AudioVideo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> \| To BBC Weather>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII\|News Sources\|Privacy