from Brussels, Belgium

thr 066

Belgium-sports /SPT/

 Crackdown on football hooligans in Belgium Brussels, June 29, IRNA -- The power of police to combat football hooligans has been extended in Belgium following a vote in the lower house of parliament.

Police will be able to take action against people within a 5km radius of a stadium before they could only take action in the stadium itself, local RVI radio reported. The aim of the move is to prevent hooligans from causing trouble in city centres.

Rioters become liable to punishment at the age of 14, which means they can be fined or face stadium bans. Fireworks is also banned from stadiums.

The new law will take effect in the new football season. NK/KS