Let’s keep it friendly!

Saturday 1st July 2006, 12:00AM BST.

FOOTBALL fans in Jersey have been urged to make today’s big match a friendly party and not a punch-up.

And States police chief Graham Power and town Constable Simon Crowcroft will walk the streets of St Helier together this afternoon as Jersey holds its collective breath before England’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Portugal.

The last time the two sides met – in the quarter finals of Euro 2004 – Portugal won but a major disturbance broke out afterwards around Minden Place between celebrating Portuguese fans and disappointed England supporters who flocked to the area from pubs across town.

The States and honorary police are ready to mount one of their biggest ever security operations to ensure there is no repeat of the trouble, with all leave cancelled.

Officers in riot gear will be ready to be deployed at the first sign of clashes between rival fans following the final whistle.

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