Hooligans free to go to World Cup

John Sturgis12 April 2012

As many as 400 convicted football hooligans are free to travel to the World Cup as well as attend football matches at home because magistrates have refused to ban them, it emerged today.

Anti-hooligan legislation has seen almost 900 banning orders imposed since its introduction two years ago, but a substantial number of those found guilty in the courts have escaped being banned because of the reluctance of some magistrates to impose them.

The news comes after fears of hooliganism have intensified in recent weeks following a spate of ugly incidents at domestic matches, culminating in coin throwing at last weekend's FA Cup match between Arsenal and Liverpool.

During the 1998 World cup in France, 21 people were subject to banning orders and the tournament was marred by appalling riots involving England.

Legislation brought in two years ago was meant to change this, and around 860 orders have since been imposed. However, an investigation by Radio Five Live has discovered that some 300-400 convicted hooligans have been let off without a ban.

Of 20 cases to go before magistrates in Watford last season, only one application for a banning order was granted. One man who was actually jailed for three months for football-related offences as well as punching a policeman was still not banned. Magistrates said they thought the minimum threeyear period was too long.

Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hogg, in charge of football for the Association of Chief Police Officers, was dismayed by the statistics. "I'd like to see more pressure on the courts to apply the law of the land," he said.

"In many cases, magistrates are concerned that the legislation breaches human rights, but that has been proven not to be the case. It can impact quite significantly on fan behaviour in the run-up to the World Cup."

This is London sport

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