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Security at Full Alert During World Cup
Japan takes no chances with hooligans during the 2002 World Cup Soccer. A true army of police officers patrol the streets and waterways of cities hosting games, herding supporters onto predetermined routes when they leave the stadium. The strategy of the police is to separate supporters of opposing teams. Not a single supporter is therefore allowed to stray from the route, cordoned off by thousands of police offers, gates, and ropes.
After the Russia Tunisia match in Kobe on June 5 many supporters were seen pleading with police officers and security guards to leave the official route. "Our bus is parked on the other side," many said. But the fierce-looking officers would not budge and forced the supporters to walk on, in the wrong direction.
Where possible, supporters must even use separate train platforms when they use trains to return to their hotels. The color coded routes from the stadiums to the actual platform correspond to the color of their ticket. Everywhere, female officers with megaphones urge supporters in several languages to move on and not linger. Many local vendors are disappointed. They expected a bonanza from extra sales to soccer supporters, but in many cases shops can simply not be reached because of the crowd control gates along the routes.
In addition to FIFA's rules of selling no alcohol in the second half of matches, this makes for very subdued celebrations after the games. Many England supporters were seen celebrating with bottles of mineral water after their team's important win over Argentina.
Although the police is understandably happy with the quiet games, complaints are being voiced by supporters and observers of the media that the police has gone too far, and taken much of the joy out the Cup.
Contact kjduits@ikjeld.com if you would like to carry these photographs.
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