New measures against fan violence in soccer
Electronic surveillance at all soccer fields and a ban on organized club fans going to away games as of the second round of championship matches are among a series of government measures aimed at curbing soccer hooliganism. Presenting the measures to Parliament yesterday, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Deputy Minister for Sports Giorgos Lianis said soccer club owners were largely to blame for the violence. Another proposal is the compulsory registration of all soccer fan clubs. Only 40 are currently registered. Games played by teams who have been punished for a second time will not be televised and will be played in empty stadiums. The government is also examining the possibility of having tickets sold to fans by name through state lottery and gaming offices (PRO-PO) instead of through soccer clubs.
