France fights hooligan threat

By Graham Berger

The French government has announced new measures in a bid to eliminate football hooliganism after a meeting with the country's football authorities and the police at the Stade de France last month.

Crowd trouble
The unprecedented move was proposed by the French interior minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, after crowd trouble at a Coupe de France match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes in January. Sarkozy was disturbed by the fact that a police presence of more than 2,000 officers was required at the game, and claimed that this represented a security threat to the rest of society.

'Shortages elsewhere'
"When all these policeman have to attend one football match it means there are shortages elsewhere and people who really need help might not get it," said Sarkozy. "I find it incomprehensible and a sad reflection of the problems we have with football in France."

Repeated offenders
The key conclusion of last month's meeting, which was attended by more than 200 officials, was that the police needed to focus their efforts on catching those who repeatedly commit offences and deny them access to games, either by imposing prison sentences or stadium bans. In order to aid the police, the football authorities will liaise closely with them to ensure they have detailed records of all those who have offended in the past.

'Appropriate action'
Director of criminal affairs Jean-Claude Marin explained: "The most important issue for us is to make sure the hooligans are receiving the punishments that befit their crimes. If we catch someone who is a repeat offender or who is involved in organised violence, then we must ensure that immediate and severe action is taken.

'Selective punishments'
"At the moment the process it too mechanical and anyone who is involved in violence at football is receiving a uniform punishment. We need to make it selective so that we can crack down on the real troublemakers."

Numerous measures
Several measures have been taken in France over the past 15 years in an attempt to combat football hooliganism. In the late 1980s, a number of clubs established their own security units to control their fans home and away. In 1993 'La loi Alliot-Marie' banned supporters from entering stadiums with alcohol, flags with racist slogans, flares among other items. A year later, 'La loi Pasqua' ruled that all league clubs shared the costs of security with the police and that video surveillance cameras be installed at every ground.

Problems remain
However, French Football League president Frédéric Thiriez admitted that these measures had failed to solve the problem. "We have this list of between 50 and 100 things that supporters are not allowed to take into a stadium, but nobody enforces these rules," he said. "We have to decide exactly what it is that we want kept out of the stadia and then ensure that it stays out."

'Impressive technology'
It was also decided at the meeting that more money was needed for the installation of video surveillance cameras. "This is one of the best ways there is for identifying hooligans and the technology that is available today is extremely impressive," explained Thiriez.

Increased spending
The amount of money spent on security at football matches in France has risen dramatically in recent years, and the figure is sure to rise again when the new measures are put into practice. However, with the Government, the football authorities and the police all united in an effort to make the country's stadia safer places, it is widely believed that this time the money is being well spent.