NEARLY 90 Newcastle United soccer fans arrested after violence in the Dutch town of Breda, ahead of their team's Uefa Cup tie, are unlikely to face charges in Holland, police said last night.

All of the 87 Newcastle supporters involved were released by police following ugly scenes during which rival hooligans fought with bottles, glasses and chairs after trouble began in Breda town centre.

It is thought this incident might have led to another violent confrontation on the packed streets, which are full of pubs and bars.

The Newcastle fans arrested are now either back in England or travelling home.

A group of 27 who had flown over for the match were taken to Ostend airport, in neighbouring Belgium, but missed their flights and were taken by taxi to the French ferry port of Calais yesterday.

The other 60 were returned to their hotels and lodgings in Holland and are understood to have returned to Tyneside.

Newcastle Airport confirmed that two flights had arrived early yesterday carrying Newcastle supporters but a spokesman was unable to say how many.

Inspector Rien van Kuik, of Breda Police, said it was unlikely the fans would face criminal charges in Holland, but his officers were liaising with Northumbria Police, who had officers in Breda.

He said: ''I think it may be not easy to do because you have to prove what they did.

''We look at the possibility of who did it and we are trying to get information to Northumbria Police.''

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: ''We are working very closely with our Dutch colleagues and we have asked the authorities there for details of those involved and any charges which are being put to those arrested.

''We will be examining whether it is appropriate to seek banning orders for those involved and are working with Newcastle United Football Club officials regarding those fans who are season ticket holders.''

A spokeswoman for Newcastle United said the fans involved in the trouble had travelled under their own steam and were not with the official club party.

She said that if any of the fans held season tickets and were subsequently convicted of any offences they would be banned from St James's Park.

She said: ''The club has been made aware there were problems in Breda last night but we are still awaiting the police report.

''The fans that were involved had travelled independently of the club and were not part of the official trip.

''It's normal policy here at the club that if a season ticket holder is arrested and convicted then the club would ban them.''

A spokeswoman for UEFA, the sport's governing body in Europe, said last night it was still reviewing a report on the violence by its officials and has requested a report from the Dutch authorities.

If its investigation finds that Newcastle United fans were behind the trouble, the club could face disciplinary action.

Bosses at St James' Park will find out this afternoon whether the club will face any charges.

It was the second outbreak of violence involving British fans on the Continent in as many nights, following trouble in Italy on Tuesday when Dundee played Perugia.

Police believe that, despite that match involving a Scottish club, the trouble was sparked by known hooligans from two English Premiership clubs.