The Argentine government announced Thursday that it is creating a nationwide registry of soccer “hooligans” to control the admission of fans at soccer matches, part of an effort to prevent violence that has plagued the sport.
The database will include the personal information of each person who has been banned from attending matches.
Authorities are also calling on the Argentine Football Association to implement a training program for players, coaches, and referees at all levels on “the values of fair play and respect.”
The decision to create the “National Registry for People Eligible for Admission to Football Events” comes after a recent “friendly” matched turned into on-field violence, with five people expelled from the game.
The clubs were Boca Juniors and River Plate, the most famous clubs in Argentina and longtime rivals. Violence at their matches in particular has become a regular occurrence.
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Boca, whose former head is now Argentina’s president, Mauricio Macri, was disqualified last year from Latin America’s most prestigious competition, “Copa Libertadores,” after fans sprayed toxic gas at another team’s players. The attack left the players rubbing and throwing water in their eyes to relieve the pain, with several taken to the hospital.
In Argentina, since 2013, the visiting team's supporters are not allowed in the field to prevent violent incidents. According to the NGO Salvemos al Futbol (Let's save football) six people died in Argentina in these type of events last year, 14 died in 2014, and 12 in 2013.