English fans' attitude must change - official

ATHENS, May 25 (Reuters) The attitude of a minority of English soccer fans is behind the increase in violence at European matches over the past season, a top official at the game's European governing body said.

William Gaillard, special advisor to UEFA President Michel Platini, said fans can expect tougher security measures next season as a result of problems at Champions League and UEFA Cup matches, most notably at games involving English clubs.

''One has to ask themselves the question, why is (it) always English fans ?'' Gaillard told Reuters in an interview.

UEFA blamed Liverpool fans for security problems at Wednesday's Champions League final in Athens, in which 97 people were arrested for possessing or selling forged tickets while others allegedly forced their way into the stadium without a ticket.

''Following our discussions with the Greek police and the organising committee, it seems as though Liverpool fans were mainly to blame,'' Gaillard said.

''The police were attacked by fans without tickets, while other fans knowingly bought forged tickets from touts and even from banned web sites, thus putting the safety of fellow supporters, who bought their tickets legitimately, at risk.'' TOUGHER MEASURES ''Next season we will have tougher measures such as for the final in Moscow. We may look at the idea of people only being given a visa if they have an official match ticket,'' Gaillard said.

Earlier this year fans and police also clashed during Manchester United's Champions League tussles with Lille and AC Milan respectively, while Spurs fans were at the centre of a row with police at their UEFA Cup tie in Seville.

''It seems that a minority of England fans carry this euro-scepticism when they travel abroad. They behave themselves at home, but seem intent to go around Europe causing trouble,'' Gaillard said.

The increase in trouble at European matches combined with increased problems on a domestic level -- including the death of a policeman during a match in Sicily -- has sparked governments and UEFA to come up with a new blueprint for security at games.

Ironically, UEFA have proposed the British model of stadium and matchday security as the example other countries should follow.

''Yes, the British way of doing things is the best at present and other countries need to catch up, but many English fans are exploiting this fact and when they travel they cause problems,'' Gaillard said.

''What we need is to make sure English fans are treated the same as when they are at home and face the same penalties and restrictions should they misbehave.'' A meeting of UEFA, EU ministers, police authorities and supporters representatives has been scheduled for Nov 28 in Brussels to address measures such as stadium security, policing techniques and stricter punishments.

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