GERMANY: SOCCER - World Cup security chiefs give Germany vote of confidence ahead of the June tournament
Record ID:
872557
GERMANY: SOCCER - World Cup security chiefs give Germany vote of confidence ahead of the June tournament
- Title: GERMANY: SOCCER - World Cup security chiefs give Germany vote of confidence ahead of the June tournament
- Date: 1st April 2006
- Summary: CLOSE UP OF JAN MING HANDING HANNING SECURITY REPORT ON 2002 WORLD CUP IN JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA
- Embargoed: 16th April 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- City:
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA9EEYGHCCE8W8W0HJSUJGG20NK
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Foreign security officials voiced strong confidence on Friday (March 31) in Germany's plans to host a trouble-free soccer World Cup despite the twin risks of terrorism and hooligan violence.
German interior ministry official August Hanning said security planners were mindful of both the Sept. 11 al Qaeda attacks and the Palestinian militant attack on the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, when 11 Israelis were killed.
But he reiterated that authorities had no intelligence of specific threats to the month-long tournament, featuring teams from 32 nations.
The British police officer overseeing England's army of travelling fans said they had shown at the Euro 2004 championship in Portugal that their long-standing hooligan reputation was "totally unfounded".
"The fan areas and the large television screens will be stewarded, will be policed. There will be precautions put in there. That's exactly what was done in Korea, exactly what was done in Portugal," Stephen Thomas told reporters, adding only five people had been arrested at England's last nine games.
By the time the tournament starts, travel bans will be in place against some 3,800 known British troublemakers, who will have to surrender their passports and report to police stations, he said.
Thomas estimated 100,000 England fans may travel to Germany for the World Cup, most of them just to enjoy the atmosphere because tickets have long since been sold out.
German officials have stressed that all foreign visitors, even without tickets, are welcome to come and enjoy what they hope will be a month-long soccer party, projecting an open, tolerant and friendly image of their country to the world.
"Despite all the security requirements, we think we will be able to realise the World Cup motto - "A Time to Make Friends", Hanning said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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