After consultations with the police, supporters' group and the Turkish authorities, The FA's main board will next week discuss a recommendation to reject the ticket allocation.

This move is in no way part of a deal with UEFA ahead of tomorrow's hearing into charges following England's home qualifier against Turkey in Sunderland earlier this month. No deal has been asked for and none given. Paul Barber, The FA's Director of Marketing and Communications, explained the situation, saying: "It is very unlikely that we will accept our allocation of tickets for the Turkey match in October.

"That recommendation has been taken strictly on the grounds of safety and security, and it will go to the main board for approval next week.

"After consultations, we have established that supporters, sponsors, the police and many of us at the FA are concerned as we don't want anyone to come to any harm just because of a football match.

"Ron Hogg, the senior police officer working with England supporters, recommends and endorses any decision not to accept tickets."

This decision does not set a precedent, although The FA is determined to address problems within what is "too large a minority" of trouble-makers at England away games.

"We will consider each game on its own merits, but the risk factor is too high for this game due to the tensions around the fixture," added Barber.

"We are not calling for guarantees of safety from the Turkish FA on behalf of our fans as we don't believe any footballing authority can provide these, especially with regard to what happens outside the ground," said Barber.

"Can we, as the English FA, honestly pressurise another national association on this subject when we clearly have large contingents of so-called supporters presenting problems whenever England travel overseas?

"If the board accept the recommendation, then we will have done as much as we can to discourage people from travelling.

"Clearly some people may still travel to Turkey but we can't be held responsible for what they do if that happens."

*Many fans have expressed the view to The FA that, though they do not wish to travel to Turkey, they feel that they would have to in order the get the requisite amount of englandfans caps to be eligible for Euro2004 tickets, should England qualify.

Through not accepting tickets for Turkey game - The FA is attempting to remove such a dilemma or any unnecessary pressure to travel.

We will keep you right up to date with this story and tomorrow's UEFA hearing in Switzerland.