Dutch to target 'known' football hooligans

Dutch authorities are to introduce new measures by the end of 2011 to target known football hooligans, but easing restrictions on law-abiding fans, its Safety and Justice Ministry said on Monday. There has been a decline in football-related violence during the last few years as a result of new laws and stringent measures at stadiums, prompting Dutch authorities to introduce a more targeted approach against hooligans. "Most football supporters go to matches without causing problems and are confronted with strong generic measures aimed at targeting small groups of hooligans," said Wim van der Weegen, the ministry's press officer. "Through a more targeted approach, more space is created for well-meaning football fans." This included an easing of transport rules to and from games, more tickets being put on sale and relaxing physical safety measures at games. By the end of the year, police from the Netherlands' 25 policing districts will all have lists of the top 10 known hooligans in their respective areas, giving police a database of about 250 known criminals, Van der Weegen said. "Known hooligans and troublemakers will be targeted including stadium bans, and bans from certain areas on match days," he added. The action against known hooligans were in line with legislation given the go-ahead by the Dutch parliament last year which empowered local mayors to take swift action, similar to that introduced by Britain in 2000. Football hooliganism in the Netherlands dates back to the 1970s and has seen sporadic flare-ups in recent years including in 2007 when supporters of Rotterdam's Feyenoord club caused serious disruptions at a UEFA Cup match at Nancy, in France. As a result, measures to combat violence were taken -- and Feyenoord itself asked for anti-violence football legislation. The advert was signed by Feyenoord's star players, then national coach Marco van Basten and senior politicians.