Uefa to police games after Euro trouble?

European football's governing body is reportedly planning to establish a Europe-wide police unit in the wake of the ugly scenes which overshadowed Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur's European ties this week.

Supporters from both United and Spurs became embroiled in skirmishes with police officers in Rome and Seville during their respective Champions League and Uefa Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday and Thursday night.

Uefa is investigating the events which unfolded at AS Roma's Stadio Olimpico and Sevilla's Stadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, which saw officials and supporters from both Premiership clubs condemn heavy-handed policing after a number of people required hospital treatment.

European football bosses hope to ensure a "better attitude" and "greater co-operation" with national police authorities to tackle the upsurge in crowd trouble. They plan to hold talks with police chiefs before the start of next season with the aim of creating a cross-border force that applies a clearer form of zero tolerance on football violence.

A senior Uefa source has been quoted as saying: "We have been seriously concerned about the law and order situation around European games for the last six months.

"We are looking to create a type of European sports police, a way of dealing systematically with the problem. We need cool heads. First of all, we cannot tolerate violence in any form off the pitch, but we also have to understand the mechanics of it."

The source added: "It is over the travelling fans that there are concerns over safety, because it is easier to cause trouble abroad than in England.

"But you have to take note of some reports in the Italian press after the incidents in Rome. One point is the drinking habits of English fans, which do shock many southern Europeans."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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