Alleged hooligans face World Cup ban

ALLEGED football hooligans who follow Leeds United are facing bans from attending games and from travelling to South Africa for the World Cup.

West Yorkshire Police has served summonses on 11 men, only three of

them from Leeds, to appear before magistrates in the city today.

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Magistrates will be asked to impose Football Banning Orders on the men over alleged links to disorder and hooliganism.

If successful, the orders will prevent the men from attending any fixtures involving Leeds United and areas surrounding related stadiums on matchdays.

The orders would come into effect ahead of the FA Cup Final and domestic play-offs, and would also prevent the men from travelling to South Africa this summer for the World Cup.

In the last two weeks 12 men have been sent summonses to appear in court.

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The first to appear, on Friday, was Robert Whitehead, 19, of Bransholm Drive, York, who was given a three-year Football Banning Order and ordered to pay costs of 745.

Today a further 11 are due before court. Three are from Leeds, four from Nottinghamshire, three from Doncaster, one from Pinner, Middlesex, and one from Telford, Shropshire.

Their ages range from 26 to 44. Five are 40 or older.

Chief Superintendent Mark Milsom of the City and Holbeck Division is responsible for the Football Banning Order Unit and will give evidence to magistrates during the hearings.

Last night he said: "We are on the side of the ordinary football supporters who turn up to enjoy the match and get behind their team. They don't want their experience spoiled by the minority who become involved in disorder and hooliganism.

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"By actively seeking Football Banning Orders ahead of end of the domestic season we aim to ensure this minority do not have the opportunity to take the shine off the festivities of the World Cup for the rest of us."

So far this season West Yorkshire Police's Football Banning Order Unit has secured 22 Football Banning Orders – more than any other police force in the country.