OUR sympathy goes out to the many parties who have been the innocent victims of the hooliganism and disorder which have blighted England's progress in Euro 2000.

There are the genuine law-abiding supporters of our national team who have been tarred with the same brush as the mindless yobs hell-bent on violence in the streets of Brussels and Charleroi.

There is the Football Association, which has worked tirelessly to kick hooliganism and racism off the terraces only to be threatened with punishment for those who have brought hooliganism and racism to areas well away from stadia.

And there is Kevin Keegan and his squad of players who, through no fault of their own, are facing possible expulsion from the world's second biggest tournament.

We applaud the courage of Keegan in supporting UEFA's stand that England should be kicked out of Euro 2000 if troublemakers caused more mayhem during the tournament.

We only wish our Government had shown the same commitment to fighting hooliganism.

Yesterday's measures from the Home Secretary to crack down on wayward fans abroad are too little, too late.

A lifetime ban from games in England is no deterrent to someone who prefers to export his thuggery across the Channel.

For all of the tough talking from Jack Straw, the Government's controls of hooligans travelling abroad remain negligible.

The hundreds of those deported from Belgium over the weekend were allowed to retain their passports.

As a result, there is nothing to stop them getting on the first return flight, train or ferry in time for tonight's match against Romania.

All we have from Mr Straw is a plea to the Eurostar and ferry operators to refuse them transport.

We are well aware of the civil liberty implications of confiscating passports from those suspected of being hooligans.

However, the shameful behaviour of a minority of so-called English fans during Euro 2000 warrants legislation which may sacrifice some individual freedoms, but which upholds the dignity and pride of a nation.