Tunisian authorities announce fight against hooligans after fan with chainsaw: Awards for "ideal"

The federation, in cooperation with the Tunisian Football League, intends to award $3.330 to the team whose supporters behave appropriately during the season. The plan could be expanded to the lower leagues next season if deemed successful

9101 views 3 comment(s)
Tunisian club Esperanci has been ordered to play the next two Champions League matches without an audience due to fan violence, Photo: Getty Images
Tunisian club Esperanci has been ordered to play the next two Champions League matches without an audience due to fan violence, Photo: Getty Images
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) will offer financial rewards to "ideal" fans in a bid to reduce the number of violent incidents in stadiums.

In recent years, violence at football stadiums has been on the rise, accompanied by injuries to police officers and numerous arrests of hooligans.

In the latest such case, at the African Champions League match between Esperance and Algeria's JS Kabila, it is a fan had a chainsaw in the stands.

FTF President Wadi Jariya met with Tunisian Interior Minister Kamal El-Feki to discuss the incidents and their prevention.

"We will apply different methods to combat violence in stadiums using successful examples from other countries," the FTF president wrote in a post on social networks.

The federation, in cooperation with the Tunisian Football League, intends to award 10.000 dinars ($3.330) to the team whose supporters consider them exemplary during each league and cup match until the end of this season.

The plan could be extended to the lower leagues next season if it is deemed successful.

The monetary incentives are a departure from the usual methods commonly used by football authorities around the world, such as fines and increased security.

After riots at the Tunisian stadium on April 29, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the four-time African champions from playing at the stadium, meaning they have to play their next two Champions League games behind closed doors, including the semi-final against Egypt's Al Ahlia.

The club was fined $300.000 and will be fined for the entire Champions League season if there are similar incidents in the next 12 months.

This is not the first punishment imposed on the club Esperanca, the first such punishment.

The Confederation of African Football forced the club, nicknamed Blood and Gold, to play two Champions League matches without an audience last season after violence in a match against Tunisian rival Etoal Sportiv Sahel.

Organized fan groups play an integral role in every game in Tunisia, officials hope, and will encourage a sense of shared responsibility.

As part of the plan, the FTF intends to work with local authorities to improve electronic ticketing, as well as consider hiring private security to replace existing internal surveillance systems.


Follow us on Facebook,Twitter i Viber. If you have a topic proposal for us, contact us at bbcnasrpskom@bbc.co.uk

Bonus video: