Hooligans at two Premier League clubs will be banned from flying abroad for FIVE weeks this summer
MAN City and Chelsea hooligans will have to surrender their passports for five weeks this summer to stop them terrorising the FIFA Club World Cup.
Around 150 fans of both English teams will be banned from travelling abroad while the blockbuster tournament takes place in America.
Letters demanding they hand their travel docs to the police will be sent out in the next few days.
Failure to comply could result in an unlimited fine or six months in jail for the most severe circumstances for those who attempt to travel.
It means the yobs – who all have Football Banning Orders – could have summer holiday plans wrecked.
Football Banning Orders are imposed on fans by the courts following an application by police for thuggish behaviour at matches.
During the 2023/24 season, officers made 2,584 football-related arrests and 825 new banning orders were issued.
Legislation introduced today will force those affected to comply. The last time it was used was Euro 2024, which saw 99 per cent surrender their passports.
Both Man City and Chelsea have qualified for the 32-team competition following strong performances in the Champions League in recent years.
Policing Minister Dame Diane Johnson said: “Many Manchester City and Chelsea fans will want to travel to support their teams in this summer’s tournament and we want them all to do so safely and enjoyably.
“But for the tiny minority of troublemakers who use football as an excuse for criminality, we will be applying the same proven preventative measures that we have successfully done for other overseas tournaments.”