England fans are set to be banned from travelling to the high-risk Euro 2004 decider in Turkey as part of a new Football Association drive to end the violence and racism which plague the national team's games

FA sources say it is 'highly unlikely' to take any of the 4,000-5,000 tickets it is entitled to for the volatile match in Turkey on 11 October, which FA and police chiefs fear could spark violent clashes between rival supporters. Details of the FA's stance have emerged as it waits to hear on Thursday how Uefa will punish the pitch invasions and racist chants, such as 'I'd rather be a Paki than a Turk', which spoiled England's 2-0 win over Turkey in Sunderland earlier this month. Uefa could make them play the qualifier on 11 June against Slovakia in Middlesbrough behind closed doors. In its evidence about events at the Stadium of Light, the FA has pleaded with Uefa's disciplinary committee to take into account the lack of complaints about recent England home games and impose at worst a final warning for the fans' behaviour. 'We cannot prejudge Uefa's decision but if they hand us a final warning, we will use that positively to send a strong message to England fans that if they continue with this sort of behaviour, including the booing of national anthems, then they and the team will suffer because we'll have to play games behind closed doors,' said a senior FA figure. Although the FA is proud of its anti-racism work, it recognises that much more needs to be done to end the macho, xenophobic culture that still surrounds many England games. It is reviewing the operation of englandfans, its official supporters club, and examining ways of encouraging more women, families and ethnic minorities to join.