Do laws need to be tightened to deal with football hooliganism?
Police and prosecutors are expected to announce plans to increase the number of football banning orders.
The travel bans force known trouble-makers to give up their passports and report to their local police station around the time of big international games.
More minor offences of hooliganism will be prosecuted and fewer people will be let off with cautions, under the new plans.
Is this an effective way to deal with hooliganism? Could some supporters be unfairly targeted? Have you witnessed violence at football matches?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
 |  What other national fans do now is incite trouble with the English |
Hooliganism is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. What other national fans do now is incite trouble with the English as they know they are easily provoked. I have seen it first hand, and fortunately our fans weren't stupid enough to react. I do think the papers dramatise it to the maximum limit. But if England and another nations fans came to blows, it wouldn't take a genius to work out who would get the blame whether they caused it or not.
Ian Mc, NW, England Stay away from where there is trouble and you will be alright, ie don't drink before the match, don't frequent the pubs where those hooligans go, when leaving the match take your time to avoid the crowds or choose a different route home. Many thousands never get stopped by the police because they behave in an orderly manner. Join them.
Carla, Rugeley, Staffordshire
Why is it that no other sport has problems with "hooligans"? Go to a rugby or cricket match and you'll mix with opposing fans, get on absolutely fine, and probably even end up having a beer with a few of them in the pub afterwards. Go to a motorsport event and all fans are mixed together and get on perfectly well. For some reason, football brings out this sad, tribal mentality in people, and clearly affects enough people that the grounds feel the need to segregate opposing fans, and have an army of police present to ensure the entry and exit of fans goes off peacefully. And that's just UK league matches. The whole sport is an embarrassment quite honestly, gets special treatment by the bucket-load, and causes a massive drain on valuable police resources.
Dan, Yateley, UK
I work in a prison, and all the inmates hate being locked up in police cells because there is absolutely nothing to do in them, unlike prison cells. So put hooligans in them from Friday evening until Monday morning. Or organise a special branch of the Army to put them through army exercises for the same period - or even longer.
Gill, Hull
England used to have a serious hooligan problem but I think the measures taken by successive governments and the police have had a very positive effect. Any talk of banning England from the World Cup is the usual anti-English sentiment in world sport - compared to the fans in South America, Turkey or many parts of Europe (look at Lazio fans for example) we do not have a huge problem.
Mark Davies, London, UK
Its a shame that people who enjoy football and attend matches are all tarred with the same brush. Mention football and everyone says oh yes football hooligans, you get a load of yobs that spoil it for everyone else, lock them up they need punishing. We had the British and Irish Lions supporters in NZ and they were a joy to have. They were great well behaved and made me proud to be British, unlike the hooligans who pretend to be fans of football,
Julie, Auckland New Zealand
It seems that football has little to do with this phenomenon. Frustrated urban youngsters have merely chosen football stadiums as the forum for their social protest. Unemployment, urban decay, general boredom. All these factors form a combination which drives youngsters into hooliganism.
Tommi, Vantaa, Finland
| They shouldn't be called football banning orders because they are not proper football fans |
The people who cause trouble at Football Matches are not real supporters of the game. They only affiliate themselves to a team in order to be a member of a group and have a reason for a fight. Banning them from games and abroad helps prevent our problems being transported abroad. However, here they travel with their clubs to away matches and cause trouble locally without even going to watch the game. Does this mean we are going to stop the travelling when their club plays away nationally? They shouldn't be called football banning orders because they are not proper football fans.
James, Reading, Berks Well done! When going abroad I am ashamed of being British because of the behaviour of our hooligan nation image.
Alan, Swindon, UK
We are told that we should not increase the permanent prison population further by adding more hooligans to the number. Surely a Friday to Monday spell in solitary over a number of weeks would have an effect on someone who has never been constrained in their life and if some useful work could be included, it might even fund such a scheme with little cost to the taxpayer.
Richard, GB
Make the parents accountable. Send the bills for the damage done by these people to the parents. I guarantee you, it will stop.
David Williams, Melbourne, Australia
If English club teams can be banned from European competition, why can't the English national team be banned from the World Cup
Robert, England
There should be a zero tolerance on all hooligans, and on all anti social behaviour louts. The problem is there aren't enough officers on the streets, recruit more. Every weekend when I am out, I see yobs shouting, swearing, even wanting a confrontation with others, when others don't want one. Its time something was done as the people are getting fed up with it. Why not send them away for a week to an army camp, maybe they will get some respect.
Peter Berry, Portsmouth England Football hooliganism doesn't exist. It is simply just anti social behaviour. Do you honestly believe that these criminals will only commit crimes at football matches? They walk through the turnstiles and suddenly they are turned into hooligans? Football is used as an excuse, and as long as we call them football hooligans, we can't make much of a step further. We need to stop separating them from other criminals and give them the sentences they deserve.
Simon, Beverley UK
The police must take the kit gloves off and be a lot more firm. The PM must hand more power to the Police!
Neville Prinsloo, Essex, UK
Give them choice of a heavy prison sentence or a few years in the Army; that will sort the men from the boys. In fact why not make this very generous offer to all sorts of yobbish behaviour.
Brian M Keith, Ellesmere England
Our small town Edam was once turned violent when a bunch of British thugs beat up the Dutch locals after England lost to Holland. The British do this so very well, they have shamed the game, and their Country. Most Educated people do not resort to this behaviour. Lock them up and throw the key away.
Lyndon Berchy, Edam, The Netherlands
Football hooliganism is regarded more as a crime of passion than anti-social brutality. I've always found that education is the best way of dealing with this kind of problem in the long term. For the time being I suggest punitive measures that threaten their livelihoods and their liberties. Football has never been the reason for hooliganism; it's been the convenient excuse, the opportunity to travel together in large numbers with relative anonymity and in uniform. It's no different to army lads on weekend leave, when you think about it.
Ferg, Kiveton, UK
| Taking away people's passports won't stop the hooligans from causing trouble in England |
Taking away people's passports won't stop the hooligans from causing trouble in England. Commit a crime and go to jail, whether it is football related or not. I can't understand why it should be any different to any other violent crime.
Michael, Belfast Do any of you believe that these idiots are violent only at football matches? If the police would lock them up for their Friday night fights they wouldn't be around to ruin decent fans weekends. Learn from New York; lock them up for the smallest hint of violence and they rarely graduate to full scale mayhem.
Gerald Joyce, Chicago, USA
Why can't we crack down on anti-social behaviour in general? Why just on football hooligans?
Stan, Norwich
I have only encountered football hooligans in the flesh once in my life. When you go abroad as a fan you are a representative of your country. As representatives of the UK, they were an embarrassment. If I were a football-hosting country I wouldn't think twice about banning all UK fans until they got their situation under control. They are not just an embarrassment to the UK - they are an embarrassment to the human race.
Carolyn P, Philadelphia, USA
An effective way to deal with hooliganism and many other crimes is to double the sentence after each conviction, working up from fines/community service etc to doubling of prison sentences, thus for those who don't get the message they can watch football permanently from their cells.
Keith, Chepstow, Wales. Ex-Doha, Qatar
Harsh measures are needed to ensure these "criminals" don't destroy football for law abiding citizens. These aren't football fans who happen to get into a scuffle, but, extremely violent people who use football as an excuse to create mayhem.
Richard Lowrey, Merritt Island, USA
They need to be shamed, plain and simple. Part of the problem with British society is that anti-social behaviour is actually rewarded. Here in Germany, it's a really big deal if you behave like a yob, and you are ostracised from society if you do. It is very effective!
Oliver, Germany (ex pat)
I've been unfortunate enough to be caught up in numerous clashes in Bristol between local supporters and rival teams; rows of shops boarded up, people too scared to venture out, police everywhere and hooligans stalking the streets hurling bottles, chairs, bricks and abuse at one another. After the event, a few of the main culprits may appear in the courts charged with minor infractions and are subsequently let off with a caution. It's about time that a firmer stand is taken with this type of behaviour and those taking part made to realise what a brainless, pathetic lot they are.
Mark, Bristol, UK
| Hooliganism will not be totally eradicated until the drinking culture in England changes |
Hooliganism will not be totally eradicated until the drinking culture in England changes. Only this week has it been highlighted the numerous violent offences taking place in our cities due to drinking habits, and most football related violence is also alcohol induced. Until 'England' fans change their holiday style drinking ways when travelling abroad to games, then the potential for violence is still there.
Stuart, Amsterdam While following England In Portugal last summer we witnessed the ugly scenes in Albufeira when England "fans" clashed with Portuguese police. Many of the incidents were inflamed by a lack of communication from the police meaning hundreds of innocent, real fans were caught up in the trouble. I feel a travelling British police force would help - a contingent of English officers placed alongside the host countries police force
Laura, London
Football banning order legislation is an abuse of human rights. People are banned 'on suspicion' of being involved in football disorder under section 14b. This means that without being prosecuted, banning orders are imposed under civil proceedings which means that no match can be attended involving any international, league or conference team from England and Wales. When England play abroad the person's passport must be handed in 5 days before the match, and they must report again on the day of the match to the police station. All these restrictions create endless practical problems with family or employment, and all this without a criminal proceedings.
Matt, Darlington
| The true football fans don't cause trouble. They go to the matches to watch the game |
It seems to me that the true football fans don't cause trouble. They go to the matches to watch the game and have a good time. The hooligans only go to cause as much mayhem as possible, therefore take them out of the system by giving them community service during all games whether it's a Saturday afternoon or a Wednesday night.
Joan, Lancs The World Cup would not be the World Cup, without some hooliganism. It just comes with the territory, as in other sports, such as ice hockey and professional wrestling.
Ralph Kimball, USA
We could allow our courts to prosecute people who commit hooliganism offences abroad. All too often, the countries affected respond by simply deporting the offenders, which effectively lets them off scot-free without even a slap on the wrist. And let's also see less reporting of the old excuse "their police were over-reacting" that we always get from the ringleaders of any trouble.
David Hazel, Fareham, UK
They should be treated like all criminals should, with escalating gaol sentences for subsequent offences. Crime can never be eradicated but we can put in place severe deterrents. The liberals have held sway for too long in Britain; all we have seen is a decline in moral standards and behaviour.
John Salkeld, Sheffield, England
| Crimes committed around a football match shouldn't be treated any differently to other crimes |
Crimes committed around a football match shouldn't be treated any differently to other crimes and we shouldn't be taking people's passports off them either. Surely that is an infringement of their rights.
John, London Every Friday night drunken people get into fights. But because football is now a money making machine, nothing must interrupt the free flow of cash. Seriously, if someone commits a crime, let them be convicted by a court of law. Withdrawing someone's passport on the mere say so of the police is unacceptable.
Richard Lafferty, Farnborough, UK
All along, the attitude of the UK authorities has been that hooliganism a problem with "a tiny minority." My response is: If that is the case, why has this problem proved so intractable? Surely, all that would be required would be the isolation of that "minority," and the problem would be solved. Let's be a bit more honest about the scale of it, and be prepared to punish (in the real sense) those responsible, if only as a deterrent. This country has a lot of good things to be proud of; don't let drunken thuggery destroy your good image.
UE, Kent, UK
Its a pity that England's football "supporters" are not more like their rugby fans. They came back from the world cup with a great reputation. No matter what the police do there will always be an element intent on causing trouble. When the "Tartan Army" travels to follow Scotland, we are only intent on finding a pub.
D, Scotland
| Give the beautiful game back to the true fans |
Only when these hooligans calculate the risk and find that the scales tilt towards severe penalties will they decide that the game isn't worth the candle. Why should these people receive trifling punishments when they strike fear into the hearts of women and children and who bring shame on their country. Give the beautiful game back to the true fans.
David, London, UK As a regular football watcher, there are definitely occasions where the Police react zealously to a minor 'incident', and I have seen innocent people arrested on more than one occasion. Also, if the government can get tough with so-called football related violence, why can it not crack down on the night-time trouble around City Centres? Why can it not crack down on uninsured and untaxed drivers? Why can it not crack down on street violence? Why only football fans?
John C, Bath, UK
England is now infamous for its football hooligans which is a very unfair interpretation of our football loving public. All you need to do is look to South America and the Middle East and you will see where the real hooliganism is. In these regions people are often killed as football matches turn in to riots! We obviously need to make the game safer for younger fans to enjoy but it is unfair for the English fans to be used as scapegoat.
Paul Sams, London, England
I would like to take my son to watch Cardiff City but I'm put off by the yobs. Many have no love of Cardiff or football but just like to get drunk and shout xenophobic abuse at supporters of English teams.
Griff, Cardiff, Wales
Football hooliganism is but one very visible symptom of a shift in Western society towards glorifying aggression and rudeness. Is it any wonder we are becoming more aggressive? We have to address this issue in society to solve the problems of football hooliganism.
John-Paul Coetzee, Bristol, UK
| Our own government have made us out to be the enemy |
Football hooliganism has been blown out of proportion in England! A man could be involved in a fair fight at a football match which he wants to be involved in, and if he is caught he will serve some hard time, have his face splashed across the papers and be made out to be an animal. Whilst if there was an attack on a lone innocent man in the street and the attacker was caught he would simply get a clip round the ear and a little record to his name! Murderers and rapists do less time than a hooligan! Where's the justice?! Our own government have made us out to be the enemy when we travel and that encourages foreign police to take tough action on us whatever we do! The "Government & Police" need to wake up and realise its not as bad as what they think and spend their money on better things!
Chris, London I was banned for celebrating a goal when Port Vale equalised in the last seconds of a match in 2003. I ran onto the pitch with many others to celebrate. I was given a banning order for three years but received no fine as my crime was minimal. Too many genuine supporters such as myself are being made an example of. When a fisherman catches tuna some dolphins unfortunately get caught, same with catching the football hooligans. I have been the victim of football violence and so despise these lunatics. Can you remember the 20,000 West Brom fans on the pitch last season when they survived, that was classed as emotional, why wasn't my celebration? There is no consistency in the law.
Stephen Wood, Port Vale fan, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Another sign of the police wasting their time and ruining the game of football, when they should be focusing on the threats to Britain, compared to countries like Turkey, I think our fans are fine and just get blown out of all proportion
Kevin McSkimming, Luton, Beds
They should give all the known hooligans a letter that they have to get to the police station every day while the tournament is going on. So we can make sure they are still in England. When they don't come to the station we should give them a fine or a time in prison. That's how it works in Holland.
Bas, Leek, Holland
It is not that England has a hooligan problem; there exists a general antisocial element within the general populace itself which is the root of the problem.
Rudi Bommer, Erlebnisburg
At the end of the day, if 200 'fans' from one club and 200 'fans' from another club are hell-bent on meeting for a pre-match fight, instead of trying to stop them meeting, lets make it much easier and actually provide them with a designated area, away from the public, where like-minded hooligans can meet and fight. This way, innocent people are less likely to be involved, public property is less likely to be damaged, and you never know, it may even become a reality TV show one day....
Dan, London, England
Anyone proven to be a hooligan who has caused injury or damage - or is seen to be a ring leader or one who incites people to violence or damage to property etc should be barred from any recognised sports event for a minimum period of 10 years. They should also have their freedom to travel monitored by the police. This includes restrictive access to a passport.
Alan Lord, Stretford, Manchester, England Shouldn't we treat these people the same as any other criminals? Why are they allowed to walk free? A crime is a crime and they should pay with time!
Chris, London
Permanently withdraw the passports of persons convicted of football related violence (for a set period) so that they cannot travel abroad at all during the period specified.
Mark Bellchambers,
I'm probably one of only a few that believes that the current measures are working, my taking the passports off the known hooligans, the bulk of the troublemakers are kept away. Perhaps they should be made to report to a police station on the morning of a match as well. There are still a few idiots who make it; they just haven't been caught yet. My best friend is a Luton fan (local rivals of Watford) and we went to Euro 2004, and were told by a Birmingham fan that the only time we'd see him with a Villa fan was to retrieve his weapon. Whether he meant it or not, this is the attitude that sours our nation.
Lee Wooding, Watford, England, UK
Well they could ban football altogether, that's the best solution. That way we wouldn't have to overhear people in pubs dribble on about it for hours, these are usually the same people who never actually go to matches, bizarre but true. TV would improve as would the average IQ, it's a hooligans game, on and off the pitch.
Scott White, Reading, UK
| The only time trouble hasn't followed is when England has haven't qualified. Enough is enough |
The best way to reduce hooliganism at the World Cup would be to exclude England from the tournament. Other persistent offenders such as the Turks, Dutch, Germans and Italians should then be warned their teams will be disqualified as well if their fans riot. We've had nearly 30 years of this and just about the only time trouble hasn't followed is when England has haven't qualified. Enough is enough.
Ian, Edinburgh, Scotland Passports should be confiscated and the individual should be made to re-apply for one and have to pay for it each time. Three strikes and then no passport for 5 years.
Elaine Obee, Washington, Tyne & Wear
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