 Police ran a similar scheme during Euro 2004 |
Police in Manchester will be keeping a close eye on football hooligans who plan to travelling abroad for the World Cup 2006 qualifying matches. Fans heading to Austria and Poland for the World Cup qualifying rounds face strict security screening.
Plain clothes officers will patrol Manchester Airport, to stop known hooligans flying to the games.
Supt Paul McIver said the operation would "stop troublemakers ruining the reputation of genuine fans".
A similar operation was carried out during Euro 2004.
Officers spoke to about 1,500 fans and managed to stop a number of known troublemakers from travelling.
 |  There is a very clear message to those people who are going to be travelling for the wrong reasons: don't bother  |
The majority were genuine supporters but several already had football banning orders. Subjects of banning orders are not allowed to attend football matches in England and Wales or travel abroad to see the national team play.
From 31 August until 8 September, officers will be watching out for those with football banning orders travelling to Austria or Poland.
Supt McIver said: "There is a very clear message to those people who are going to be travelling for the wrong reasons: don't bother.
"We will be vigorously enforcing banning orders and working to identify those we believe are travelling to engage in violence and disorder."
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