A NORTH-EAST Euro MP has welcomed a “softening” in approach by Belgian police ahead of Newcastle’s Europa League match in Brugge, next week.

Regional MEP Martin Callanan described previous warnings to arrest ticketless members of the Toon Army travelling to Belgium for United’s match with Club Brugge as heavy-handed.

He wrote to the local police commissioner and to the Belgian federal police commissioner saying it threatened the EU’s “fundamental principle” of freedom of movement within member states.

Following Mr Callanan’s intervention the police in West Flanders issued a statement welcoming United fans to the popular tourist city and amending its previous guidelines.

It advised Newcastle fans without tickets to remain in the city centre and against going to the vicinity of the Jan Breydel Stadium prior to, or after Thursday’s match.

There were fears many United fans will travel to the popular tourist city even without tickets, for what is the shortest trip in the Magpies’ Europa League campaign.

Following an appeal by United, Club Brugge issued a further 900 tickets to Newcastle taking the away allocation to 2,600, in a stadium with a capacity of almost 30,000.

Mr Callanan said he was pleased to see the Belgian police appeared to have “toned down their threats” to Newcastle fans.

He said: “We all want to ensure hooliganism is tackled in a robust manner, but Belgian Police were pushing things way too far in threatening the arbitrary arrest of fans.

“I’m pleased that the police have now backed down and re-issued their advice.

“I will be watching the organisation of the match and, if I see or hear of actions that contravene Newcastle fans' right to travel without fear or impediment across the EU, then I will take the matter further.”

Brugge police will issue guidance to United’s travelling contingent through Twitter, hashtag #CLUNEW, while the general police hash tag is #politiebrugge.