Monday 17th September 2007
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has joined the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) to issue a warning to all supporters of Britain’s Champions League clubs. To avoid missing out on the action, fans hoping to follow their team abroad should check they hold a valid and up-to-date passport.
165,000 football fans across Britain travelled abroad last season in support of their team, with new research revealing that Liverpool FC fans travelled furthest of all. With the group matches of the Champions League starting this week, fans are reminded to check their passport ahead of this year’s campaign.
Fans who are 16 or over who have never had their own passport need to take extra care to apply in good time as new security checks, including face-to-face interviews, mean their application could take up to six weeks. These changes are important in ensuring the British passport remains the gold standard of identification and helping in the battle against identity fraud and organised crime.
Although their fans will be hoping Liverpool will clinch their first Premiership title since 1990 this season, they can at least be satisfied that thanks to last year’s Champions League run they hold the title of most-travelled fans in the Premier League, clocking up an impressive 7,197 miles.
Semi-finalists Manchester United could only finish second highest travellers (4,265 miles) with visits to Italy, Portugal and Scotland.
Despite not getting as far as Chelsea in the competition, Arsenal’s fans had more travelling to do (3,890 miles) and endured many a long visit, including trips to Croatia and Russia.
Chelsea fans had the easiest ride of them all and only had to cover 2,661 miles - half the distance of David Beckham’s flight from Britain to play for LA Galaxy (5,437 miles).
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, said:
“The Champions League is one of the great sporting competitions in the world. It’s important that our fans share in that experience and those travelling to watch the game must make sure they have an up-to-date passport so they don’t end up missing out on a great night of European football.”
Bernard Herdan, IPS Executive Director, said:
“For first-time passport customers, the application process now takes up to six weeks. If you do not have a valid passport you won’t be able to travel, and the last thing we want is for fans to miss out on one of the big European games of the season.
“All supporters hoping to travel to away Champions League fixtures should check that their passports are fully up-to-date and ensure they leave enough time to apply for new documents before travelling.”
For information on the services that IPS provides and to find out more about the passport application process, please visit www.passport.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO PASSPORTS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
British passports are changing to make them, and the passport application process, more secure. These changes are an important part of the fight against identity fraud, illegal immigration and illegal working, countering terrorism and serious and organised crime. Tough new international standards for passport security also mean Britons’ freedom to travel would be reduced if these changes aren’t introduced.
There are three main changes which are outlined below:
Biometric Passports
All passports now issued are biometric passports (also known as ePassports) which include a chip in the passport book storing physical details of the holder’s face (known as the facial image biometric).
The new biometric passport looks very similar to the current one, although it features a logo indicating that there is a chip inside. Internally there are many new security features. The pages have intricate designs and a new complex watermark based on images of British birds. The reverse of the personal data page also holds the chip on which the holder’s photo and personal details are stored.
Face-to-face interviews
From the summer of 2007, an increasing number of first-time customers for an adult passport (16 years and over) will be required to attend a face-to-face interview with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) to confirm their identity.
A national network of 69 interview offices is opening for people to attend their interview. A choice of time and location for the interview will be offered. People will be asked basic information about themselves - not deeply private information, but information that can be checked.
IPS estimates that the total process will take about 30 minutes, including an interview of 10-20 minutes.
Improved background checks
IPS has introduced an improved system of identity checking for first-time customers. Public and private sector databases are checked to confirm an applicant’s current address and history of identity.
The changes do mean that people applying for a passport should allow a little longer than in the past - ideally six weeks - before travelling. It also means it is now no longer possible for IPS to provide the fast-track (one week) service to first-time adult passport customers.
