Football Disorder
The
current situation | What we’re
doing about it | What you can do
The current situation
Football "hooliganism" is sub cultural criminality.
It may not be as prevalent as it once was but it remains
a serious menace. Last season, there were over 4,700
arrests associated with football.
Football disorder has been associated with English
football for over 100 years. But its severity and character
is always evolving. Today, there is little disorder
in stadia and fans can attend matches in a safe and
secure environment. But the gangs who associate themselves
with clubs do pose a risk usually in the form of pre-arranged
and orchestrated violence.
The worst examples of English football disorder occur
overseas in connection with England matches. It brings
shame on our national reputation and that of our national
game and makes life very difficult for the vast majority
of travelling England fans. It also threatens England’s
ability to compete on an international stage.
Of the millions who annually attend games, it is only
a very small minority who cause the problems. Even so,
their behaviour is a threat to public safety and to
the integrity of our national reputation.
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What we’re doing about it
We have a comprehensive strategy for tackling football
disorder. Its main features centre on:
- Extensive use of the tough football
banning order legislation introduced after Euro
2000;
- Close and effective liaison with partner agencies,
including the police, football authorities and supporter
groups;
- Maximum liaison and co-operation with overseas police
and civil authorities;
- Close
liaison with fan groups, support for fan led initiatives
like the fans embassies and working to encourage fans
to take responsibility for their behaviour and reputation.
We have put in place very tough but proportionate laws
that we expect the police and courts to use.
We are funding targeted police operations aimed at
banning known hooligans.
We are co-ordinating the UK policing and other preparations
for Euro 2004 and the World
Cup in 2006.
We work closely with the police and other partners,
including the fans, to identify what more can be done
to tackle football disorder.
We liase very closely with overseas governments in
respect of all matters associated with football disorder
and support measures designed to give fans an influential
voice in tournament preparations.
We play a key role in European governmental and policing
fora whenever the issue of football disorder, ground
safety, supporter initiatives, policing football strategies
and the role of football in helping to tackle racism,
criminality and anti social behaviour and promote social
cohesion. The key committees are the Council of Europe
Standing Committee on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour
which produces recommendations on security, safety and
preventative measures for European countries and the
EU Police Co-operation Working Group which produces
for Member States binding and recommended good practice
on police co-operation and the sharing of information
in connection with international football matches.
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What you can do
All football fans should recognise that they are victims
of the legacy of disorder that has shamed our national
game.
If the problem of football criminality is generated
by a very small minority then the primary solution rests
with the overwhelming majority.
Fans need to take responsibility for their behaviour
and reputation. Supporters must work to promote a positive
image of England fans.
The culture surrounding domestic games has changed
since the days of mass disorder. The criminal gangs
have been isolated and removed from the grounds. Their
activities continue to pose a risk and must not be tolerated.
Overseas, Japan was a great success and thousands of
club fans traverse Europe every season without causing
problems. Now the same process must occur whenever England
play overseas.
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