World Cup crackdown

It's only April, but already the papers are filling up with stories about the World Cup.

Predictably, instead of biggin' up our boys, we're treated tales of "flying prosecutors" who will handout instant travel bans on any pesky troublemakers.

Which probably means anyone spotted with a beer in their hand.

"The names of hundreds more suspects will be added to the list of 3,200 hooligans already barred from travelling overseas to England matches before the tournament begins in June," a stern Times has said.

By all accounts, German authorities will be joined by 100 British cops, including uniformed officers and plain-clothes 'spotters', and fast-track courts are hoping to be set-up in time to expel offenders within 24 hours.

The move comes after concerns of a potential clash between English and German fans in Frankfurt. There has been persistent speculation that rival German and English supporters are communicating by text message to arrange a confrontation at England's match against Paraguay on June 10.

So be careful who you sit next to on the plane over, as German police will also be at British ports, to help screen fans.

The Times has written that "the Violent Crime Reduction Bill includes clauses aimed at closing gaps in current football disorder laws. Powers to ban suspected hooligans will also be enhanced before the tournament".

But if it stops people travelling to Germany looking for a fight, then the measures should be welcomed.

However, there's always a concern that police could mistake fans having a good time for troublemakers.