With the opening match of the soccer World Cup fast approaching, police were out in force at London's Heathrow airport on Wednesday. Passports were checked as part of an effort to stop known troublemakers from making the trip to South Africa.
On the whole, passengers were not upset by the intrusion.
[Soccer Fan]: (English)
"I think it's absolutely fine, absolutely fine. If you've got nothing to hide it's not a problem. If we can keep our image, you know, intact for this tournament, I think it's fantastic."
[Soccer Fan]: (English)
"Not too fussed really, I mean it happens all the time when you come away with England, it's to stop all the hooligans and everything coming out, make it safer as well over there, try to get rid of our bad name as fans so let's have a good time, don't it."
Police have already made a couple of arrests.
[Commander Bob Broadhurst, Police]: (English)
"We've stopped several hundred people. Very busy day yesterday and it will start getting busy now. Yesterday two were detained who had a history of violence. They've both gone to court and they will both now be subject to banning orders."
The opening match of the tournament between hosts South Africa and Mexico takes place in Johannesburg on Friday this week.
