Remember that film, Green Street Hooligans, about a bunch of chaps cheering for West Ham and fighting pretty much everyone as they travel around Britain? Well, it seems that is where they are going to stay. And not only because England isn’t there among the top national European teams this year.

Austria, one of the two countries holding the European football championship this year will re-implement their border passport control. Something that hasn’t been the case for years in the zone of European Union. If you have ever traveled through the mainland Europe, you have probably noticed you do not even need to stop your car as you enter another country. Now everyone is going to be stopped and checked. Therefore internationally blacklisted hooligans will be sent back and not allowed into the country in order to prevent the violence they cause.

In case you wonder whether Switzerland is going to do the same, they already are. This distinct mountain country is not a part of EU and does control its borders with the special customs service.

Austria also perform test-flights for their jet fighters, in case someone intrudes their national air space. Additional police forces and special surveillance cameras will be set to work at the stadiums.

Even though national competitions aren’t as fierce as club matches, hopefully such actions will contribute to safer and more peaceful football globally.

By The W