England’s first “Euro 2004” soccer match takes place June 13 against France in Portugal and will be shown on big-screen TVs in pubs all over the country. Two years ago, when England defeated Denmark in the World Cup, riots took place in the city center of Stoke-on-Trent when drunken fans poured into the streets and hurled bottles at police. To prevent another such incident, police have contacted some 30 pubs asking that they control drinking in their establishments. There is a potential for trouble almost anywhere excessive drinking and soccer mix, so avoid unruly crowds. The match is expected to end about a half hour before pub closing time. Some 180 known soccer hooligans have been prohibited from traveling to Portugal and must check in with police on the days of England’s matches.
