New Istanbul security fear
Security worries about England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey next month intensified today after Istanbul police sent confusing messages about preparations for the game.
The Football Association, which has not taken up England's allocation of tickets, have been running a major campaign urging fans not to travel to the group decider on 11 October.
After 600 English supporters defied similar pleas not to attend England's game in Macedonia earlier this month, the FA and the Government fear fans will travel to Turkey, where any trouble could lead to Sven-Goran Eriksson's side being banned from next year's finals in Portugal.
The Turkish FA made it clear today that any England fans in Istanbul for the match would not be allowed entry into the stadium, even if they have tickets.
But Halil Yilmaz, the deputy chief of the Turkish police's special forces, contradicted that message, telling BBC Radio Five Live: "Any English fan who comes here to watch football will be welcomed with famous Turkish hospitality and they are going to spend a nice time from their arrival until they leave and hopefully there will be no problems."
