FOUR soccer fans -- one from Bolton -- are facing a three-year ban from watching games home and abroad.

The men were the first in the North West to appear in court under the new Football (Disorder) Act which only came into force on Monday. Among those in court was Stephen Holden, 32, of Valby Avenue, Bolton.

Stipendiary Magistrate Alan Berg ordered the men to surrender their passports, which will prevent them from travelling to the England game against France in Paris on Saturday. A further bail condition was that they do not attend any games in England and Wales.