Following last night's friendly international at the Walkers Stadium, The FA's D

Following last night's friendly international at the Walkers Stadium, The FA's Director of Marketing and Communications Paul Barber has applauded England's fans for their behaviour on the night...

"Both The FA and the England squad were delighted at the way in which the fans responded to our requests for good behaviour," he said.

David Beckham's appeal was played over the PA system before the game and every fan attending received an 'FA Against Racism' leaflet about the necessity for good behaviour. The fans responded in the best way possible, creating a carnival atmosphere and observing the opposition's national anthem immaculately. There were no reports of any problems at all inside the ground.

"It was clear that the fans were determined not only enjoy the occasion of the first ever full England international at Leicester City but also to make our visitors, Serbia and Montenegro, very welcome," Barber said. "The respect shown to Serbia and Montenegro's national anthem and the warm applause that followed both anthems, together with the good natured and good humoured support throughout the match was the perfect example of how the true England fans behave.

"We now have a really crucial match coming up next week in Middlesbrough and we sincerely hope that England fans attending this match will be able to follow the examples set in South Africa last month and Leicester last night. If the fans get behind the team in the right way we can make the ideal atmosphere for the Euro 2004 Qualifier against Slovakia at the Riverside.

"Everyone at The FA would like to thank the England fans for their great support of the team last night. The FA would also like to publicly thank everyone at Leicester City Football Club, from the Board and management level to all the club's staff, for all their hard work and for helping The FA to stage such an excellent occasion."

*The CCTV pictures of the fans who invaded the pitch during April's Euro Qualifier against Turkey at the Stadium of Light have led to positive identifications of the vast majority of offenders.

"So far, 95% of the people who came on the pitch have been identified," Paul Barber has revealed. "It is a great success for the Northumbria Police who are now 'processing' the information they have received."

**England's fixtures for 2004 will be announced in due course.

Click here to view David Beckham's video appeal