AMSTERDAM, June 6 (Reuters) - Euro 2000 organisers say they
are concerned at the scale of demand for tickets on the black market but insist it will not undermine their strict security plans.
'Indications suggest there is sizeable black market demand
despite the fact that the 1.2 million tickets are linked to
named individuals,' Euro 2000 spokesman Richard van Eijk told
Reuters on Tuesday.
Demand for matches involving the Netherlands, Germany and
England was believed to be particularly great.
Germany and England meet in Charleroi on June 17 in a game
regarded by many, including Belgian police, as the highest risk
match of the tournament.
Organisers believe supporters who buy from ticket touts
could face a double financial loss.
'The people who buy will face checks at the stadiums and a
fine,' Van Eijk said.
Tickets for Euro 2000 have been distributed only to the
individuals who applied for them. In this way, organisers hoped
to weed out known hooligans.
About 40 percent of the tickets have the name of the
applicant printed on them but all 1.2 million can be scanned if
necessary to establish the names.
Organisers acknowledge that most spectators will be allowed
in without having to prove their identity but say checks will be
stepped up at higher-risk matches.
The ticket tout problem is likely to be most severe in the
Netherlands, where repeated efforts by Euro 2000 and some
political parties to ban black market sales have failed. Such
sales are illegal in Belgium, co-hosts of the three-week
tournament.
However, Dutch police still have the power to set up
controls around the stadiums and check tickets to ensure public
order and say they will have a heavy presence, along with
stewards, around the grounds.