Known football hooligans thinking of travelling to Slovakia for England's Euro 2004 qualifier on Saturday will be barred from getting there through Austria and the Czech Republic.

Police have identified Austria and the Czech Republic as potential countries from which banned fans could try to reach Slovakia.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) called upon those countries to stop recognised trouble-makers from entering in the run-up to Saturday's game.

Austria and the Czech Republic agreed to refuse entry to anyone suspected of trying to make their way to the game while banned from attending England games.

Unfortunately Slovakia also has borders with Hungary, Poland and the Ukraine, which may prove harder to police.

A total of 1,130 people are subject to banning orders and must hand in their passports to police in the five days before an England game.

Drink-related crime

The police and footballing bodies are keen to capitalise on the good behaviour of fans who travelled to Japan and South Korea in the summer.

John Denham wants the police to be tough on hooligans

During the World Cup campaign there was little in the way violence of drink-related crime during games involving England.

An NCIS spokesman said: "There is no doubt that the tremendous co-operation we received from the Japanese authorities during the World Cup played a crucial role in preventing trouble.

"This is something we are keen to emulate every time England plays abroad and we are delighted that Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria have indicated that they will refuse entry to anyone who may pose a threat to the game."

The trouble-free atmosphere of the World Cup 2002 was in stark contrast to the reputation travelling England fans had built up over the years.

England's Euro 2000 win over Germany was marred by violence which saw 800 arrests as hooligans went on the rampage in Brussels and Charleroi in Belgium.

Although England fans who travelled to Japan for the World Cup were praised for being on their best behaviour there is cause for concern about a rise in hooliganism in the domestic game.

High-profile riots at Millwall and Cardiff City grounds in the past year have raised fears that there could be a return to the "bad old days".

Home Office minister John Denham said: "It is essential that we continue to make consistent and full use of our powerful football legislation to prevent known troublemakers from travelling to international games in the run-up to Euro 2004."