Anti-Hooligan Measures can ensure safety & security of EURO 216

David Bond writes for BBC in 2013, "High-profile outbreaks of violence involving fans are much rarer today than they were 20 or 30 years ago. Football has moved on thanks to banning orders and better, more sophisticated policing".  However, hooliganism as a moronic pursuit, whereby rival fans use patriotic or tribal allegiance as an excuse for criminal thuggery, has reared its head at the European Championships in France.

The 1-1 drawn between England and Russia,  was marred by heavy violence before and after the game, with both sets of fans clashing in Marseille. Four England fans were seriously injured, two who had been listed as being in critical condition were said to be “stable” on Sunday. Overall more than 30 people were hurt in the clashes and three policemen were slightly injured.

That hooliganism and hostile behaviour of the English and Russian fans has led the UEFA to warning the two teams of expulsion from EURO 2016 if violence involving their fans continues through the tournament, UEFA.

Football hooliganism refers to unruly, violent, and destructive behaviour by overzealous supporters of football teams, including brawling, vandalism and intimidation.

Security experts in France said they relied too heavily on a massive police presence and the use of tear gas, and should have had more “spotters” mingling with crowds to call in officers to stop trouble spreading. They also  need to implement basic Anti Hooligan Measures (AHM) to ensure safety and security of the continental event.

• banning items that could be used as weapons or missiles in stadia, and searching suspected hooligans
• banning identified hooligans from stadia, either formally via judicial orders, or informally by denying them admittance on the day
• moving to all-seated stadia, which reduces the risk of disorderly crowd movement
• segregating opposing fans, and fencing enclosures to keep fans away from each other and off the pitch
• banning opposing fans from matches and/or ordering specific matches to be played behind closed doors
• compiling registers of known hooligans
• restricting the ability of known hooligans to travel overseas.

By  M. Wasim

mwasim.370@gmail.com

The new "Bag Policy", to ensure stadium security

Game events are supposed to be ideal platform for terrorists to show off globally their notoriety in order to infuse maximum terror and insecurity among the people. Therefore stadiums' security and safety of spectators and sports fan are considered today as important as of players and sports celebrities.  

Back to back attacks in sports stadiums since the last decade compel security management of grounds and sports field to use modern technology along with policing and armed personals in their safety system.Like CCTV with pan and tilt facilities, control room to monitor spectators, emergency lighting system in case of power failure and electronic loudspeaker system to address public in case of emergency. 

However, in the ongoing Copa America Centenario, being held in the USA an important, yet  a bit orthodox, measure has been introduced for the safety of stadiums and spectators. The authorities of the mega football event order a “clear bag policy” at the gates of its all 10 American stadia, and is recommending that fans don’t bring any bags at all.

The press release states

"Bags that are not in compliance must be returned to the patron’s vehicle or checked at a designated bag check area located outside the stadium perimeter (if available).

The style and size of bags that will be allowed is described below:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.”
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options."

By M. Wasim

mwasim.370@gmail.com

Great Muhammad Ali, as Peacekeeper

In a world plagued by terror and insecurity, with the demise of great Muhammad Ali the world lost such a legend who was an inspiration and a ray of hope for many around the world. Sports and game activities are widely regarded as anti-terror solution to do away with negativity, normalise tensions and calm down violent situations. And, Muhammad Ali performed his role numerous times to make the world safe and secured from violence.

Before the start of Cold War, when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had taken many hostages including 15 Americans during  Kuwait invasion in 1990, Ali flew to Baghdad, Iraq to negotiate for the release of the Americans and  met Saddam Hussein, which in a result brought freedom for all 15 Americans.

In July 21014 when the leaders of Iran had taken Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian hostage, Ali urged the Iranians to free Rezaian in a statement he released to the National Press Club in which he wrote: “I am sorry that I cannot be physically present to lend my support in person but I pray my words will provide relief to the efforts to secure the release of Jason Rezaian......“Insha'Allah. It is my great hope that the government and judiciary of Iran will end the prolonged detention of journalist Jason Rezaian and provide him with access to all his legal options".

For Vietnam war, Ali refused induction into the military service and said there was nothing stopping him from continuing to box. His anti-war stance cost him his U.S. passport and very nearly his career. Two weeks after the news conference, he was banned from boxing and sentenced to prison. The WBA and the WBC stripped him of their titles, and the states refused to license him. 

President Barack Obama, whose presidency itself is evidence of Ali's legacy, admits that "His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing. ..But Ali stood his ground. And his victory helped us get used to the America we recognize today."

By M. Wasim

mwasim.370@gmail.com

 

EURO 2016' Security Concerns

The Stade de France was targeted by three suicide bombers on November 13 2015 as part of a series of Islamist attacks in and around the French capital in which 130 people were killed, that led to interrupt France vs Germany football match.

In this context the Euro 2016 is a potential target for Islamic State (IS) again. The US State Department singled out the tournament, which will be held in France from June 10 to July 10, as they believe it is "difficult to get the threat down to zero."

Euro 2016 will take place amid an atmosphere of high alert following attacks in Paris and Brussels. Likewise Paris attack, in March 2016, 32 people died when Brussels was hit by suicide bombings at the airport and on the Metro. That also led to shift the Belgium vs Portugal football match for security reason from the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels to the home of Uniao de Leiria.

Some 2.5 million football fans are expected in stadiums, including 1.5 million foreign visitors. French authorities have extended a state of emergency until the end of the tournament, as well as the Tour de France cycling race, which will be held from July 2 to July 24.

By M. Wasim

mwasim.370@gmail.com

Sports Terrorism still haunts

The family of a 5-year-old Afghan boy Mohammad Murtaza Ahmadi -- while grabbed  headlines when he was photographed wearing a homemade Lionel Messi' Argentina shirt with No. 10 on the back --  received autographed shirts from his Barcelona Argentinian legend, but unfortunately that later on led him force to leave Afghanistan in May 2016 amid constant telephone.

Along with his family he moved to neighboring Pakistan and settled in the city of Quetta, hoping for a better life there because his family feared that his son, Murtaza Ahmadi, would be kidnapped after becoming an Internet sensation when his pictures wearing a Messi shirt made out of a striped plastic bag went viral.

By  M. Wasim
mwasim.370@gmail.com