England's Football Association (FA) is almost certain not to take up its allocation of tickets for October's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey because of safety fears, FA officials said today.
Trouble flared this month in a qualifier against Turkey inSunderland, for which England face disciplinary action fromUEFA, European soccer's ruling body.
The safety concerns are also based on the deaths of two Leeds United fans in Istanbul during clashes in 2000 before a UEFA Cup tie against Galatasaray.
After talking to supporters' groups, police and lawyers, FA officials say they do not want their allocation of 3,000 to 6,000 tickets. Their recommendation now needs to be rubber-stamped by an FA board meeting next week.
"As things currently stand, it is very unlikely that we willaccept our allocation of tickets for the Turkey match," PaulBarber, FA director of marketing and communications, toldreporters.
"Supporters are concerned, sponsors are concerned, the police are concerned, we're concerned - it's certainly not in any way, shape or form worth putting anyone in harm's way for a football match.
The FA is anxious to stress that today's development wasnot part of any deal connected with a UEFA meeting tomorrowthat will decide on punishment for the racist chants and pitchinvasion during the home game against Turkey.
The October 11th match, at a venue yet to finalised by Turkey,will be England's last of the qualifying campaign for the 2004championship in Portugal.
They are leading Group Seven on 10 points, a point ahead ofTurkey who they beat 2-0 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.