Serial streaker vows to stay off Euro 2004
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-12 09:50

Football fans hoping to see a bit of flesh during the Euro 2004 football finals in Portugal have reason to be disappointed -- British serial streaker Mark Roberts said he would not make an appearance at the tournament.

British famous serial streaker Mark Roberts, seen here in 2003 during one of his 2003 stunts, said he would not make an appearance at the Euro 2004. [AFP/file]

"I am under a banning order which means whenever England or Liverpool play abroad, I have to turn in my passport to police. So for this reason I can't go to Portugal," he told the Portuguese weekly TaletQual.

"It's a shame because I really, really wanted to go to Euro 2004."

Roberts, 39, has streaked over 380 times since his first streak over ten years ago according to his Internet page (www.thestreaker.org.uk).

The Liverpool man goes on trial on June 21 in the United States for dancing a jig in nothing but a thong in front of more than 70,000 people at Reliant Stadium in Houston during the Super Bowl in February.

If convicted for trespassing, Roberts could spend up to six months in jail and pay a fine of up to 2,000 dollars (1,650 euros).

While his Super Bowl moment was his first North American stunt, Roberts has targeted other high-profile sporting events before, including the Commonwealth Games, the Wimbledon tennis championship and the Tour de France in addition to numerous football matches.

He told the Portuguese weekly he tried to streak during FC Porto's European 3-0 Champions League win over Monaco in Gelsenkirchen, Germany in May but tight security prevented him from reaching the pitch.

"There were too many obstacles and security around the grass. I needed wings to get over the fence," said Roberts.

Asked if he had any advice for any Portuguese who wants to streak during the three-week Euro 2004 finals which get underway Saturday, Roberts told the paper they should "leave that to the professionals."

London has banned more than 2,500 suspected British troublemakers from travelling to Portugal during the 16-nation tournament.

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