EXCLUSIVE

A LEADING World Cup organiser has admitted that excessive and even drunken antics by Scottish supporters will be tolerated by the authorities.

Mr Olivier Dutreil, project manager for the tournament organisers in the Rhone-Alpes region, said the Tartan Army would be allowed to indulge in one of its favourite pastimes - frolicking in fountains.

The Scots will also be able to lie, drunk, in gutters - provided they are with alert friends who swiftly take them into their care.

However, such tolerance will not be extended to Scots or any other supporters who ''relax'' in another way - smoking marijuana. They face an immediate 48 hours in jail, before being processed.

Mr Dutreil, of CFO, the World Cup organising committee, insisted that, overall, the authorities would take a ''softly, softly'' approach when dealing with the excesses of foreign visitors - but stressed violence, hooliganism or obscene behaviour would not be tolerated.

His beat includes Lyon, where the Jamaicans will play Japan, and nearby St Etienne, where Scotland take on Morocco on Tuesday, June 23.

Asked what would happen if Scots were found drunk in St Etienne streets - highly likely, with pubs allowed to open ''without limit of time'' - he replied: ''Someone will pick them up and bring them back to their hotel.''

When asked what would happen if Scots scaled the many fountains in the city, he said the authorities ''will do nothing - except if they insult the Mayor''.

Mr Dutreil conceded his message to fans to party in their own inimitable way would not apply to the misuse of drugs.

He warned that any supporter caught with drugs would be brought before a judge under a system of ''fast-track'' justice which could see them dealt with by courts within 48 hours.

Smoking supporters will even be hauled away from matches, where stadium cameras will be used to pinpoint users.

Later, the project manager told a remarkable tale of two French cities whose differences in style and status put them on a par with Glasgow and Edinburgh for rivalry.

He claimed the people of Lyon, second only in size to Paris and about 40 miles from St Etienne, were likely to ignore the Scots and other supporters - as well as the tournament.

In contrast, the fans will be welcomed warmly in St Etienne, already underlined by the flags and bunting adorning many buildings.

Mr Dutreil described Lyon as ''a secret city'', adding: ''It does not like big events. It is a culture point of view.

''I don't think the people of this city will get involved in the World Cup. This city is very bourgeois, and football is not bourgeois.''

However, Mr Dutreil admitted he is having nightmares about the America v Iran clash in Lyon on Sunday, June 21.

As many as 50,000 European-based Iranians are expected in the city, and a request for a 15,000-strong demonstration in the streets before the game has been lodged.

A decision on that still has to be taken, but the march will be ruled out if there is any suggestion of political content.

Meanwhile, those fans yet to make their travel plans will no doubt be heartened by the announcement that cut-price fares airline Ryanair is launching a direct Stansted to St Etienne service for #119 return - claimed to be some 74% lower than rivals.

Ryanair said the new route would help the flow of World Cup visitors, including Scots.