LONDON, June 9 (UPI) -- Security for the 16 teams at Lisbon's Euro 2004 soccer tournament is tight, but none are getting more attention than the British squad.
That is because, in addition to the usual English hooliganism and presence of glamor players like David Beckham, Britain is heavily involved in the fight against terrorism, the Independent reported Wednesday.
On Tuesday, while England trained at the Estadio Nacional, mounted police patrolled the wooden slopes overlooking the pitch. Three rings of steel fence barriers, manned by armed police, fringed the complex and the road running past the ground was closed.
The road running past the Solplay Hotel, where the team is staying, is also closed.
Even the British team's maintenance man was not permitted entry to open the dressing room toilets, which had been left locked, until he was provided with the right pass.
Besides the English team, Euro 2004 features teams from 15 other countries.
