The police are to draw up a top 10 of most notorious football hooligans for each club in professional football. All data pertaining to these hooligans will be stored in a single database.

When arrested, they will be treated the same way as known repeat offenders.

These measures form part of a national plan of action against football violence. The plan was signed by Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten, the national football association KNVB, the Public Prosecutor's office and the mayors of the cities most affected by hooliganism.

The agreement calls for quicker and stricter punishments, utilising a tit-for-tat policy whenever possible. Minister Opstelten says he approves of a proposal from parliament to extend the duration of stadium bans.

The signatories plan to hold talks on security measures ahead of each professional football match. They emphasize that even though football violence as such is a national problem, addressing it remains primarily a local concern.

(gsh/imm)

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