The president of York City FC has called on the Government to get tough on football hooligans following the scenes in Marseilles.

Ryedale MP John Greenway is backing new measures for the police to stop the thugs from travelling abroad.

And he is asking for police authorities to have powers to make the hooligans pay compensation for the havoc they wreaked in France.

Currently the authorities are unable to stop hooligans from travelling to matches abroad if they don't already have a criminal record.

Mr Greenway's demands mean exclusion orders would be slapped on the yobs, preventing them from leaving the country.

He said: "I know that this will be opposed by some people in the House of Commons on the grounds of civil liberties, but I take the view that the actions of these yobs are serious enough to justify these draconian measures.

"These people have money. They have been able to pay their travelling costs and they have drunk enough to sink a battleship. We are saying that should pay the bills."

His comments follow the outbreaks of violence which marred the run-up to England's match with Tunisia on Monday.

Drunken England fans fought running battles with Tunisians, local youths and police, and filled the town of Marseilles with an atmosphere of fear.

Mr Greenway's demand is being tabled as an amendment to the Crime and Disorder Bill being discussed in the Commons next week.It already has the backing of the Conservative party's Home Affairs team.

North Yorkshire police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "As a principle it is admirable, but for this county it is rather academic.

"The county's football teams don't have large- scale problems with violent supporters, but it is a good idea.

"If we did have a problem these would be the sort of powers that would be excellent for stopping the hooligans from being exported elsewhere."

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