English & German holligans arranged riot

Hamburg police said on Wednesday authorities had foiled a plan by English and German soccer hooligans to organise a mass brawl late on Tuesday in the city's red light district.

German and British officers specialising in soccer violence had discovered the plan and some 100 Germans and about 150 English, who are in the country for Chelsea's Champions League match against Bremen on Wednesday, were detained.

Ulrike Sweden, a spokeswoman for Hamburg police, told Reuters the men were so-called category C soccer fans, those who pre-arrange fights with rival hooligans.

A search of the men had revealed items including telescopic truncheons, a hatchet and protective equipment such as shin guards. Sweden said 18 men, both Germans and English, remained in custody and investigations were continuing.

"We don't expect any more trouble in Hamburg but we'll have to see what happens tonight in Bremen," she added.