Ex-thug defends soccer film

He was a member of one of the most feared gangs of football hooligans.

But his violent past earned Millwall fan Wheeler an invitation to the premiere of controversial film Football Factory in London amid criticism that it glorifies soccer thuggery only a month before the start of Euro 2004.

The film, featuring the lives of a group of Chelsea hooligans, has been defended by Wheeler and the cast as accurate and moral.

The former member of the Millwall Wackers, who refused to reveal his full name, said: "I can't believe all the fuss it has caused - it's the reality.

"It's a few people punching each other, it isn't a big deal. We only fight people who want to fight. It's about camaraderie and respect, about friends having a laugh - it's how we live in London. At the end of the day it's just a film."

But serious concerns have been raised about the film glamorising football hooliganism - and its release so close to a major European tournament.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate and MP for the Millwall ground area, said: "It's irresponsible for the film to be shown so close to those events and it will give ammunition to people who are antifootball and anti-England.

"I'm sure there's a story to be told about football violence but the people involved in this film really should have waited until the end of the season and the European Championship before releasing it."

Julie Kirkbride, shadow culture, media and sport secretary, said: The timing could not be worse. It's grossly irresponsible for the filmmakers to glorify this type of mindless violence and to make a profit out of whol ly unacceptable behaviour."

England are under threat of expulsion from Euro 2004 if fans behave badly in Portugal, while Millwall - whose fans are also featured brawling in the film - are trying to shake off associations with soccer violence in the run-up to their FA Cup final appearance in two weeks.

David Swift, the Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on football, said: "The police condemn football hooliganism and those who would incite others to violence."

The £5 million production is one of a number of films focusing on football hooliganism due for release in cinemas over the next year - such as The Yank, featuring Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood.