EURO COPS TELL FANS TO LIGHTEN UP; Police hope hotheads go to pot.Byline: By Craig McDonald PORTUGUESE police will turn a blind eye to fans smoking joints in the hope they'll be too stoned to fight. The decision follows advice from Dutch police. During the Euro 2000 competition they noticed differences in fans' behaviour. An England match in Eindhoven against Portugal passed off peacefully as many fans smoked cannabis cannabis: see hemp; marijuana. cannabis Any plant of the genus Cannabis, which contains a single species, C. sativa. It is widely cultivated throughout the northern temperate zone. thanks to relaxed Dutch drugs laws. Yet the England v Germany game in the Belgian town of Charleroi was marred by violence as alcohol-fuelled fans laid into each other. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is not illegal in Portugal though consumption of the drugs is. But last night a Portuguese police spokeswoman admitted enforcing drugs laws would be a low priority during Euro 2004. Isabel Canelas said: 'The police are doing another kind of job and priorities are different. 'We won't be hiding behind doors waiting for someone to smoke a joint. We have to use common sense. 'If people are smoking and not beating each other up and not making a problem, why on earth would an officer go and ask, 'Is that cannabis?' But she warned anyone causing a problem through drugs would face action. She added that drug dealing would not be tolerated. Euro 2004 organisers have resisted moves to limit the amount of alcohol on sale during the tournament, which kicks off today. Beer costing just 66p a glass will be on offer at all the main venues. Many known louts The Louts, is a left tributary of the Adour, in Aquitaine, in the Southwest of France. Name The name Louts could be related to the Basque cognate lohizun 'marsh'. It is documented in medieval Latin as Fluvius qui dicitur Lossium[1]. have been prevented from travelling to Portugal. But it emerged yesterday that one suspected England hooligan will contest moves to keep him in Britain. Ryan Elsey was arrested as he tried to board a flight at Bristol Airport Bristol Airport may refer to:
The 26-year-old appeared at North Somerset North Somerset is a name used in the Watsonian vice-county system to refer to a much larger area. North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Magistrates' Court yesterday, where police applied for a banning order. But his lawyer, Owen Strickland, told the court his client would fight it. Elsey was bailed on the condition he gave up his passport passport Document issued by a national government identifying a traveler as a citizen with a right to protection while abroad and a right to return to the country of citizenship. It is normally a small booklet containing a description and photograph of the bearer. , did not buy any more travel documents and didnot attend football matches in the UK or abroad. He is due back in court next Thursday. Meanwhile, bookies Ladbrokes predict pounds 300million will be staked over the entire championship, smashing the pounds 250million record set in the last World Cup. CAPTION(S): FAN-TASTIC: Supporters get in the mood for Euro 2004 |
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