SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has warned that England football fans risk their lives if they travel to Turkey for next month's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier.

It is a stark warning that should be heeded - but the signs are that significant numbers of supporters are likely to ignore it.

Despite pleas to fans not to travel to Macedonia for Saturday's game, hundreds still turned up and many are now sending postcards to the Football Association to hammer home their defiance.

We acknowledge the pride and passion of genuine fans wanting to support the national team and understand their frustration at being told to stay away.

But with such bitterness remaining between England and Turkey following ugly clashes in the past, including the killing of two Leeds United supporters in Istanbul three years ago, it is a case of "better to be safe than sorry".

Of course it is regrettable but the sad truth is that football brings with it a minority of lunatics intent on using sport as an excuse to indulge in bigotry and violence.

That bigotry surfaced again on Saturday with England's black players being racially abused by supporters making sickening monkey noises.

An investigation is under way and a fine for the Macedonian authorities will probably follow but that will do nothing to root out the racists.

Playing international games in empty stadiums, in response to racism among fans, would be a draconian measure and a crying shame for decent, responsible fans who simply want to support their country.

But it was a threat which ensured impeccable behaviour when England played Slovakia at Middlesbrough.

The fans themselves swiftly turned on individuals who showed the slightest sign of stepping out of line.

And in the end, it is up to the fans themselves to play a leading role in combating racism and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

It is up to the decent majority to ensure that mindless minority do not win.