TWO football fans have been banned from all future matches at home and abroad in a groundbreaking act.

Twins Steven and Christopher Turnbull, 28, of Littlehampton, were yesterday banned for two years under the Football Disorder Act 2000 which came into effect on Monday.

They were also forced to hand in their passports to police ahead of today's England v France friendly.

Chichester magistrates made the order yesterday. A dossier had been compiled by Brighton police in preparation for the act coming into effect.

A police spokesman said: "A decision was made to go after these people and we will be pursuing more."

The banning orders are issued under civil law as part of the Act rushed through Parliament following the violent outbreaks during Euro 2000.

Lifelong Seagulls supporter Christopher Turnbull, of Kingsmere, Littlehampton, was banned from the Goldstone ground in Hove in 1996 after he was accused of taking part in a pitch invasion when 5,000 fans swarmed on to the field. A charge of criminal damage was dropped after he proved he was in Cyprus. However, the year ban from the club remained.

Brother Steven, of Beaumont Park, Littlehampton, has faced charges in court.

Speaking from his home in South Terrace, Littlehampton, Christopher Turnbull said: "I cannot see this new law being allowed to continue because it is an infringement of human rights."

Mr Turnbull, a carpenter, was deported from France during the 1998 World Cup but says no charges were brought against him and he was not involved in any trouble. He added he has no convictions for football-related crimes.

The situation stemmed back to when he was mistaken for his brother during a pitch invasion at the Albion versus York match in 1996.