Government determined to prevent hooliganism at soccer matches

The Croatian government is determined to make sure that hooliganism and violence at sporting events are prevented and most drastically punished, and it has scheduled a working meeting for Monday, June 20, to discuss ways of dealing with the problem.

Caretaker Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic on Saturday held urgent consultations with Minister of the Interior Vlaho Orepic, Justice Minister Ante Sprlje, and Science, Education and Sports Minister Predrag Sustar about an incident caused by Croatian hooligans at a Euro 2016 match between Croatia and the Czech Republic, played at St. Etienne, France, on Friday.

The government's working meeting to be held on Monday will be attended by PM Oreskovic, Foreign Minister Miro Kovac, and Ministers Orepic, Sprlje and Sustar.

"The Government of the Republic of Croatia, which most strongly condemns the latest act of hooliganism, will send a clear message to its perpetrators who compromise Croatia's international reputation - it will not be a hostage of their primitivism."

Since the Act on the Prevention of Violence at Sporting Events is in force, the government discussed possibilities to urgently amend some of its regulations as well as to what extent the law had been enforced, the statement said, noting that PM Oreskovic discussed the matter with President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic earlier in the day.

The government called again on French authorities to prevent violence by irresponsible Croatian citizens who discredit their country and pose a threat to general security.

Croatia has formed a special police team assisting the authorities of countries hosting sporting events in preventing acts of hooliganism as well as in all other security aspects.

(Text: Hina)

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