Two Staffordshire football fans banned from Euro 2016

After appearing at Cannock Magistrates Court, one fan had his case adjourned but had to surrender his passport, while a second man was handed a three-year banning order with travel conditions.

They join 38 other fans in the county who currently have a footballing banning order issued by the courts.

The two new orders mean Staffordshire Police is the first force in the country to be granted a full banning order with conditions relating to the tournament which starts today.

Chief Inspector Martin Brereton, from the force's operational services, said: "Months of planning has gone into the upcoming football championship to ensure all of our communities can experience a safe and enjoyable time.

"We are very pleased to be the first in the country to successfully be granted a three year banning order. This means a further two people have been barred from travelling to watch any matches in France.

"We are also happy that the other 38 people with banning orders have already surrendered their passports which has been a result of the hard work of our officers.

"We always make great strides in keeping football matches safe for genuine fans and in preventing the hooligan element from following British teams abroad and giving them and our country a bad name."

"Staffordshire is one of 17 forces offering national mutual aid during the championship. Two of our experienced football liaison officers will be working at ports helping to spot anyone who are known as potential trouble-makers or people from across the country with banning orders who may try to travel to France.

"Here in Staffordshire we will have high visibility police teams out and about and in our town and city centres to offer reassurance to those who will be enjoying watching the tournament in pubs and clubs and to deal with any issues that arise."