Six English fans stopped at airport

Six England fans have been stopped by the Japanese authorities at Kansai International Airport serving Osaka.

England are playing their final World Cup Group match against Nigeria in the city.

Four of them were the subject of information supplied by the British, according to Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hogg, leading the British operation to assist the Japanese police.

"They tried to enter from Thailand," he said.

"They are being questioned at the moment and I have no more information yet.

"It's evidence of the ongoing intelligence operation, and information exchange, and we are delighted with that."

Four thousand English fans were in Osaka last night and there were no reports of incidents or arrests.

So far 12 fans have been held at the World Cup, of whom four have been released.

Mr Hogg said that if England did well against Nigeria and qualified for the second round, the police operation to keep out troublemakers, both at home and in Japan, would be stepped up.