Security arrangements for England's Euro 2004 qualifying match in Liechtenstein this month were thrown into doubt yesterday when it emerged that England supporters and ticket touts have purchased a significant number of seats in the home section of the stadium in Vaduz.
The match is already the subject of the largest security operation in Liechtenstein's history, and the revelation that segregation plans for the 3,548-capacity Rheinpark Stadium have failed will increase fears that the game could be marred by hooliganism.
England's last qualifying match away from home, in Slovakia last October, was marked by violence. Two fans were shot by security guards in the build-up to the game, and during the match riot police and fans fought running battles and England's black players were subjected to racist abuse.
The Rheinpark Stadium has only two stands, one on either side of the ground, and police had planned to restrict England supporters to one of them. But supporters and touts bought tickets for the home stand when they went on general sale at Vaduz's post office last October, some of which remain available on the internet, priced at upwards of £300.
The Football Association was given 950 tickets, a higher than usual percentage, to distribute to members of the official supporters club. But it is thought as many as 2,000 additional fans without tickets will travel to the Alpine microstate in the hope of picking one up on the black market.
Gabriel Hoop, Liechtenstein's chief of police, confirmed yesterday that the tickets had been sold to supporters and touts. But he insisted that local police would be able to deal with any problems arising from a breakdown in segregation.
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