Police are likely to seek a prosecution for more minor offences

Police chiefs and the Crown Prosecution Service have agreed to try and convict yobs causing trouble at games rather then let them off with a caution.

All four Welsh police forces will apply the rules as the Wales team works for World Cup and Euro 2008 qualification.

Convicted hooligans would lose their passports whenever Wales played abroad during the following three years.

The Crown Prosecution Service for north Wales announced the deal in Wales. Chief Prosecutor Ed Beltrami said: "Hooligans hate and fear football banning orders, so the orders are a key weapon against them.

If England or Wales qualifies for the World Cup or Euro 2008, you won't be going CPS north Wales Chief Prosecutor Ed Beltrami

"We are going to show football hooligans the red card. We know that the vast majority of Wrexham fans have a good reputation both at home and away.

"We want to avoid a few troublemakers turning up to ruin both the enjoyment and reputation of law-abiding fans and making local residents' lives a misery.

North Wales Police Chief Inspector Simon Shaw said: "There are currently 51 banning orders in place against so-called Wrexham supporters.

"The genuine supporter attending a football match does not want to be subject to racism, obscene language or physical attack."

Convicted hooligans will be barred from Wales' overseas matches

According to Home Office figures for the 2003/04 season, the number of Football Banning Orders increased from 1,794 to 2,596 in just over a year. And arrests decreased from 4,413 to 3,982 over the same period.

The new zero tolerance policy means there will be a presumption of prosecution whenever there is enough evidence to bring offenders to court.

Where convictions are made, and are deemed to be football-related, the CPS will invite the sentencing court to impose a Football Banning Order.

The maximum punishments for breaching this order are six months in prison and a �5,000 fine.

'Safe environment'

Mr Beltrami added: "The action starts now. If you cause trouble at a domestic match, or related to one, you are almost certain to be prosecuted and we will apply for a football banning order, which will ban you from every football ground in England and Wales for three years.

"If England or Wales qualifies for the World Cup or Euro 2008, you won't be going."

Wrexham Supporters' Trust spokesman Simon Johnson said: "We want to enjoy our football in safe and pleasant environment. There is no place for hooligans watching Wrexham.