2010 World Cup: Hooliganism to be Dealt with Severely

The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa, and this is the first time that the most important competition of the world's most popular sport is being held on African soil. The history of soccer is not immune to violence, and South Africa wants to take no chances for anything to go wrong. Authorities have warned that South Africa will have a zero tolerance policy towards hooliganism during the event, and offenders will be dealt with very very strictly. They want the event to be remembered for all the fun, competitiveness, and also, importantly, the safety of fans.

Police Chief Vishnu Naidoo said: "We will know long in advance if people have any intention of behaving badly. "And in the unlikely event they do, they will be put in a place where they will have every regret." "Perhaps, that might set such an example for them that they might even go back home and not behave in that manner again. If people come and start trouble, they will learn a very difficult way in which they will be dealt with in South Africa."

For the 2006 World Cup in Germany, more than 3500 Football Banning Orders were issued, to prevent unruly fans from traveling to the event. This went a long way in ensuring that the world's biggest football showpiece went off without incident then. Hence, South Africa too is well aware that they need to make sure that they present to the world and that they are very much capable of hosting such an important event, and safely too.