World Cup

Scores of Leeds United yobs have been told to surrender their passports in a bid to stop them travelling to the World Cup.A nationwide total of 3,111 known football hooligans had until yesterday to hand over their documents to the police. They revealed that 162 United fans were the subject of banning orders, the most for any club in England and Wales.

Surrendered passports will not be returned until after the World Cup in South Africa ends on July 11. Their owners will also have to report to the police on every England match day during the tournament, which kicks off a week on Friday.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson, head of domestic World Cup policing, today said that hooliganism was "much less of a problem than in the past".

He added: "Banning orders have been very successful, with less than 10 per cent of those who are issued with them re-offending. There are, however, a small minority who engage in football related violence and disorder."

Around 25,000 England fans are expected to make the trip to South Africa, significantly down on original estimates of 100,000.
Concerns about crime in the host nation are thought to have put off some supporters, others being dissuaded by the high cost.

* Police foiled an attempt by English hooligans to sneak into South Africa for the World Cup via Dubai, it emerged today.

South Africa's police minister, Nathi Mthethwa, said the group of around 12 yobs were apprehended a month ago.