Heavy-handed police threats to travelling Toon fans

NEWCASTLE United fans heading to Belgium face "aggressive and illegal" police actions, a senior politician has warned.

Conservative MEP Martin Callanan has written to Belgian police chiefs both nationally and locally to make clear that their expected heavy-handed approach to travelling Toon fans risks breaking the law.

Mr Callanan, a North East MEP, intervened after fans were threatened with a night in the cells for actions which would not result in an arrest back home.

Advice handed out to some 10,000 fans set to head abroad for United’s Europa League game against Club Brugge on November 8 includes a Draconian warning that supporters without a valid ticket for the match will be prevented from travelling to the stadium, and anyone found in the vicinity of the stadium during the whole of match day without a ticket will be arrested.

Police also said that anyone who arrives at any border control point in Belgium with alcohol in their possession will have it taken off them. Mr Callanan has told the local Brugge police commissioner and a Belgian federal police commissioner that the threat of "arbitrary arrest and detention" breaks EU rules on free movement.

As the Euro MP pointed out to officers, Newcastle fans have a record of good behaviour and do not constitute a threat.

Mr Callanan said: "I cannot accept the threat of arbitrary arrest and detention of Newcastle United supporters or indeed anyone from the UK simply exercising their right of free movement within the EU.

"There are long links between the people of Flanders and my constituency and many visitors to Brugge from the North East of England bring considerable economic benefits to the city.

"I would not like to see the goodwill fostered by this history of exchange lost through aggressive policing tactics and illegal threats."

Mr Callanan is set to raise the issue with European Commissioners to ensure police do not break EU law.

link
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/communities/newcastle/2012/10/30/heavy-handed-police-threats-to-travelling-toon-fans-72703-32122675/

LOCAL businesses and police were today getting ready for the visit of Newcastle United fans with scores of Geordies expected in Brugge in the next 24 hours.

Pubs and bars in the main square area of town were today briefed that drinks must be served in plastic glasses and that tables and chairs outside must be cleared away by midday as police look to stay on top of travelling fans.

Fans travelling without tickets were curious to see if a big screenwould be put in place in the main square but there was no evidence of this early this afternoon as Brugge prepares for the big game.