A firefighter from Faversham has spoken of his shock at being arrested and facing extradition to Portugal.

Garry Mann, 51, was jailed for two years after being accused of hooliganism in Albufeira on the Algarve during the 2004 European Football Championships.

He always maintained his innocence but he and 10 other fans appeared before a Portugese court. They were convicted of public order offences and resisting arrest.

Mann was jailed for two years, but deported to the UK immediately and released.

On Thursday he was arrested at his home in Beaumont Davy Close by Metropolitan Police under a European arrest warrant.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court the same day and was released on bail until Thursday, April 2.

“This is very serious because it is a fast track warrant,” said Mann, who works with blue watch at Canterbury fire station.

“We are looking into why the warrant has been issued at the moment. I am waiting for my solicitor to get my case together.”

Mann said that in a court case in 2005 following his arrest in Portugal when the Metropolitan Police tried to get him banned from football matches, the judge ruled that his rights under Article 6 of the Human Rights Act had been breached at the Portugese trial.

“I cannot undersntand why the Government is working with the Portugese government if a judge has ruled my human rights were breached,” he said.

“I do not understand why they are trying to extradite me.”

The authorities in Portugal had alleged one count of rioting in Albufeira on Monday, June 14, 2004 – the day England were knocked out of the tournament by the hosts on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Up to 200 England fans clashed with police after match in a riot which saw tables, chairs and bottles thrown.

Mann always always maintained he was not in the area, saying he was in a bar nowhere near the riot.

It is not known what prompted the Portugeuse authorities to ask for Mann, an animal rescue expert with the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, to be rearrested.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had arrested Mann at his home with a European arrest warrant issued by Portugal.

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service refused to say whether Mann was still working. Spokesman Sacha Taylor said: “We are aware there is an investigation and we will be keeping a very close eye on this situation.

“However, at this stage we are unable to comment further due to the legal procedures taking place.”

uE06E The European arrest warrant is a way of speeding up the transfer of criminal suspects through the European Union. It replaces extradition procedures and came into force on January 1, 2004.