Football hooligans warned

HUMPHRIES Security Guard Division owner Laurentius Humphries said hooliganism at premier league matches will not be tolerated this season.

He also asked teams to educate their spectators to follow rules and behave accordingly during matches, which at times are marred by missiles from the crowd, while some spectators are trying to enter the stadiums with weapons, knives and bottles.
‘The rules are clear that no guns, bottles, knives and any other dangerous objects are allowed at stadiums where premier league matches are held. Whoever wants to cause trouble, we are issuing a serious warning that they will face the consequences if they come to the stadia with different intentions,’ said Humphries. The Humphries Security Guard Division has been contracted by the Namibian football authorities to guard stadiums during premier league matches since 1993 and over the years have dealt with hooligans, but believes that much still needs to be done to control crowd violence. ‘We don’t want people to come and show off their guns at the stadiums. Rules are clear that no guns and other dangerous objects will be allowed, so please, come to the stadium with the intention of watching the games, but not to come and cause trouble,’ he warned. Despite the serious warning to would be offenders, Humphries thinks that people have also realised the role of his company and his guards at the matches. TROUBLE DECLINED He says although he has seen a decline in spectators who are causing trouble at the stadiums, he still maintains that much more need to be done to make it safe for families to come and watch football without any disturbances. ‘I want to see more parents coming to stadiums with their children, knowing that the that they will be safe and watch their football in a crime-free environment,’ he said. He says there is a need for clubs in the premiership to educate its members to behave accordingly at stadiums, but most importantly thinks that fans should not come to stadiums with weapons and other objects that might endanger other people’s lives. He also says that some officials of clubs should carry some identification from their clubs as his men at the gates cannot allow anyone for free during matches who pose to be executive members or officials. ‘People come and say they are officials of teams and want to gain free entrance. Clubs should issue cards to their officials or VIPs like the media does so we know that they are allowed to go in for free, or else, they have to pay like anyone else,’ he said. He said his company complies with the Fifa required safety standards for spectators at the stadiums, but unhappy about some ablution facilities at especially the Khomasdal Stadium. He said more toilets are needed to especially accommodate the female spectators, while a VIP section is vital to keep the dignitaries safe when watching the game. There is a fence bordering the playing field and at time VIPs are forced to sit on the stands with supporters of the teams who cheer for their teams. The venue is considered too small for spectators, but attracts a large number of spectators during league matches. Despite that, Humphries feels that the league authorities should increase the number of security personnel at premiership match has from the current 20 to at least 30 to be more effective. ‘Sometimes the guard we have at the stadiums cannot keep a close check on vehicles that are parked outside or at some entry points. We need guards who can keep en eye on the vehicles outside the stadium to give the spectators the piece of mind while watching the game. The NPL should look into that as we are prepared to increase our manpower at the matches,’ he said.