Britain proposes tough hooligan laws
Posted: Friday November 20, 1998 12:08 PM
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The toughest measures in the world against hooligans will take place next season David Cannon/Allsport |
LONDON, England (AP) -- Britain is proposing new laws to crack down on
soccer hooligans, racist fans and ticket scalpers.
The measures, expected to be in place next season, have been
called the toughest in the world by government officials.
The plans for toughening up on soccer-related violence come in
the wake of disturbances at this year's World Cup in France, where
English troublemakers clashed with police and rival fans.
There have also been violent outbursts on the pitch this season
in English soccer. In one incident, Sheffield Wednesday player
Paolo Di Canio pushed referee to the ground. In another, West Ham
striker John Hartson kicked teammate Eyal Berkovic in the head in a
practice session.
The measures, as reported in British newspapers, are to be
unveiled next week by the Home Office. They include:
- increased fines and exclusion orders blocking known
troublemakers from soccer matches in Britain.
- restrictios on ticket sales to keep scalpers from obtaining
tickets of matches abroad.
- moves to make racist chants criminal offenses.
- increased powers to bar unconvicted but known hooligans from
traveling to matches abroad.
The crackdown, called for in a report earlier this year by
former government minister Davd Mellor, is also aimed at helping
England's bid to land the 2006 World Cup against competition from
South Africa and Germany.
An unidentified Home Office official, quoted in Friday's Daily
Mail, said pressure would be put on league officials to crack down
on player violence on the field.
"There is little point in us telling fans how to behave and
weeding out the troublesome element if they see players essentially
getting away with things," the paper cited the source as saying.
"Players misbehaving on the pitch inevitably give the
impression to fans that it is OK to misbehave. We want to see
player and the F.A. setting an example."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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