Dutch on the ball over far-right soccer groups

By David Cronin

Date: 16/12/04

FAR-RIGHT organizations are infiltrating football support groups in a number of European countries, according to a new report by the Dutch EU presidency.

Based on information furnished by national police forces, the paper says:

• Belgian football-related web sites "with an inkling of political awareness" are right-leaning, with the exception of a left-oriented one for fans of Standard Liège;
• in Belgium, there are also "known persons who are active both in extreme right-wing circles and within the high-risk supporters of certain clubs";
• Sweden's Helsingborg club counts a group of right-wing extremists among its supporters but their activities are described as "more provocative than political";
• violence-prone fans in Hungary have shown signs of being influenced by right-wing organizations;
• in Slovakia, evidence of extreme- right activity has been detected when the national team plays England and;
• in Britain, far-right fans liaise with like-minded individuals elsewhere in Europe.

Italy's government suggested that member states study common EU measures against soccer hooliganism when it held the Union's presidency last year. Rome has undertaken an analysis on ties between extremist and supporters groups in Europe. It says that "supporter groups are often marked by behaviours that are openly influenced by political extremism based on racist or xenophobic ideologies…".

Italy argues that it is necessary to boost the exchange of information among national law enforcement bodies to make "security measures for sports events more effective and more targeted".

Gerd Dembowski, from anti-racist lobby Flutlicht, said that the increased police monitoring of fans prior to the 2006 World Cup has led to a decrease in neo-Nazi displays at matches.

In a report based on information furnished by national police forces, the Dutch EU Presidency said that far-right organisations are infiltrating football support groups in a number of European countries.