Ten Argentine football hooligans who were said to be planning acts of violence at the Soccer World Cup have been detained at South Africa’s main airport and are to be deported.
South African police said on Monday that the men, who are all Argentine citizens, were detained when they arrived at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on a flight from Angola on Sunday.
“Intelligence indicated that these persons would commit acts of public disorder, engage in acts of violence and provoke conflict with certain fans of opponent teams and other groups from Argentina during the 2010 World Cup,” the statement said.
Police said one of the 10 men is out on bail for murder.
They were intercepted after traveling from Argentina via the Angolan capital Luanda. They were to be deported later on Monday after being held in custody overnight at the airport. — Sapa