Turkish police welcome England fans

Moves to keep England supporters away from the crunch European match with Turkey were thrown into disarray today by police in Istanbul.

Police in the city said they would welcome England fans - even though the FA and forces in Britain have called on supporters to stay at home and avoid potential violence.

The announcement is almost certain to encourage a hard core of England supporters to defy the warning from football authorities that they would put themselves at risk if they travel.

The 11 October match is seen as the most potentially explosive of all England's matches in the Euro 2004 competition, with a history of animosity between the fans. At the latest fixture in Sunderland earlier this year, more than 100 people were arrested in running street battles.

But today the deputy chief of police in Istanbul, Halial Ulnas, said: "We would like to tell you that any England fans who come to here to watch English football will be welcomed with traditional Turkish hospitality. They will be able to watch the football and hopefully have a good time and go home peacefully."

The announcement puts him at odds with the Turkish football association, which claims to have stepped up security measures to block England fans from entering the stadium. A spokesman said: "There are security measures and they will not be able to get in."

England have not taken up any of their official ticket allocation, while almost 1,800 fans regarded as potential troublemakers have had their passports confiscated.

David Beckham and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson have backed the ban, seen as vital to prevent disciplinary measures against England which could include being thrown out of the Euro 2004 finals even if the team qualifies.

Eriksson was criticised in Turkey for warning fans that they would risk death by travelling to Istanbul, with accusations that he was raising the temperature of the match and could inflame Turkish supporters further.

Today a Home Office spokeswoman said: "We strongly urge fans not to travel - there are real safety and security risks associated with this match. Our police will intercept any fans who have previously misbehaved."

An FA spokesman added: "We have been very, very clear for over three months that we do not expect fans to travel to Turkey for the game."

The Turkish police also raised fears over the quality of liaison with their English counterparts, despite a series of high-level meetings between law enforcement agencies. Mr Ulnas told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We have not received any information about any England fans that are coming."

Today Uefa general secretary Gerhard Aigner warned: "It is in everyone's interests that this game goes well, that we get rid of this constant talk of problems between England and Turkey." He added any violence would be inexcusable.