London - The House of Lords yesterday approved a British government bill intended to stop soccer hooligans from travelling abroad.
Peers passed the controversial bill without a vote but its fate still hangs in the balance as ministers would not say whether they would try to reverse a Conservative amendment forced on them to limit the law to a two-year life.
Hundreds of English hooligans were deported from Belgium in June after scenes of drunken violence at the Euro 2000 tournament. England soccer officials later blamed the disorder for the failure to win the vote to host the 2006 World Cup.
Under the proposed legislation, police can keep suspected troublemakers from travelling abroad to matches, even if they have not been convicted of any crime. The government is anxious for the bill to become law before parliament breaks for its summer recess tomorrow so it can be in place in time for England's World Cup qualifiers this autumn.