Article
UEFA say Euro forces can learn from British police
LONDON (AFP) - European football's ruling body UEFA has called on the continent's police forces to learn from their British counterparts, who are deemed more experienced in being able to deal with violence between fans.
Violent clashes between supporters marred both legs of Manchester United and Roma's Champions League quarter-finals while Tottenham fans were involved in ugly scenes on their trip to Seville for the UEFA Cup.
In Rome last week, the Italian police were criticised for what was believed to be their heavy-handed approach towards United fans, and it was a similar story in Seville.
On Wednesday UEFA's director of communications William Gaillard urged European police to follow Britain's lead when it comes to dealing with violence.
Gaillard told Radio Five Live: "Our president Michel Platini has repeatedly asked police to learn from the British experience and way of handling things.
"A lot of the crowd control practice in England has been established over 20-25 years, given that there was a very serious problem before that.
"Now, through a number of measures that are not all linked to policing, though many are, we have got a situation that is far more acceptable than in other countries and it is vital to learn from that."
Gaillard also accused the Rome police of failing to prepare efficiently for United's visit last week, after which 11 English supporters were taken to hospital.
"There is no doubt that when supporters are accompanied by a few police officers who understand their culture and what it takes to keep them under control, it helps tremendously.
"Something just as stupid as the fact that there was probably no-one in the Roman force last week who could speak English proved costly," he said.
Sixteen football fans -- 12 English and four Italian -- were charged Wednesday after clashes with police marred Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final victory over AS Roma, police said.
They were charged after violence flared briefly between up to 100 rival fans outside the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester before Tuesday's game.
Police with dogs and batons had arrested a total of 21 people.
The group face a range of different charges including possession of a bladed weapon, criminal damage and public order offences, a spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police told AFP.
At last week's clash in Rome several United fans needed hospital treatment after being stabbed before the match, while Italian police baton-charged the visiting supporters during the first half.
Gaillard has called for greater co-operation between countries' police forces.
"What is important is to reinforce the co-operation between - and within - the forces. This is not just vital in the repression of hooliganism and violence, but also in corruption, illegal betting, money laundering through sport, doping and so on.
"The more co-ordination and co-operation we get, the better the results we will see."
Comments (0)