China mulling first law on football hooliganism (Agencies) Updated: 2004-10-25 22:31 China's parliament
is expected to begin debating the country's first law on football hooliganism
which could mete out jail terms and fines for loutish behaviour, state press
reported.
According to the draft law, police will be empowered
to detain any fan suspected of disrupting a match for up to 20 days and fine
them up to 5,000 yuan (600 dollars), the China Times reported.
The law is expected to be debated by an ongoing meeting of the standing
committee of the National People's Congress, China's legislature, it said.
It comes after the Asian Cup finals in China this year were marred by the
constant heckling of Japan by Chinese fans.
In one incident, Japan's team bus was rushed by an angry mob while Japanese
fans had to be escorted out of the stadium by riot police.
On Saturday, a referee was injured by a flying object at a match between
Beijing and Tianjin.
Under the draft law, fans will be prohibited from shouting or unfurling
banners with "insulting slogans" and of assaulting or threatening referees or
players, the paper said.
The law will also stipulate punishment for setting up unregistered websites
that carry content deemed to be "insulting" or stirring up "the emotions" of
fans, it said.
Also included in the law are areas touching on public drunkedness at matches
and match gambling, as well as drug selling and public begging at matches.
China's 10-year-old professional league has reached a crossroads this year
with a public outcry over corruption among football officials and referees and a
general lack of good play at matches.
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