Trouble flares at England game in Slovakia

Fighting broke out between England and Slovakia fans at their Euro 2004 qualifier in Bratislava last night.

Fighting broke out between England and Slovakia fans at their Euro 2004 qualifier in Bratislava last night.

After Slovakia took the lead, England fans could be seen trying to tear down metal fences between them and opposition supporters at the Slovan Stadium.

Riot police moved in, driving back England fans from the thin divide separating the two sets of supporters.

The disturbances came after two England fans were shot by security guards on Friday night in a Bratislava bar.

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Some 6,000 England supporters, 4,000 of whom have tickets, made the trip to the capital Bratislava for the match.

Security was stepped up at the ground while the sale of alcoholic drinks was prohibited because of fear of violence.

Meanwhile, in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, 10 England fans were arrested after severe damage was caused to a bar. The National Criminal Intelligence Service said it was believed the violence stemmed from an argument over non-payment of a bill.

In the last 48 hours,around 12 England fans have been turned back from various British ports and airports while four were refused entry to Prague.

PA