Swift Punishment Awaits World Cup Offenders

World Cup planners fear nothing as much as hooligans. For them, the idea of rampaging hordes of out-of-control soccer maniacs causing chaos in German cities and damaging the country's image is the stuff of nightmares.

Above all, they would like to avoid a replay of what happened at the World Cup in 1998 in France, when German rowdies attacked and severely injured policeman Daniel Nivel.

Preparation, organization

No one can be sure if behavior can, or will, be avoided at this summer's event. But planners are leaving as little as possible to chance. Their approach seems to have been taken right out of some German Boy Scout handbook: be prepared, and be organized about it.

As often as possible, offenders will be brought before what are being referred to as "accelerated hearings." In contrast to usual court cases, a verbal charge is sufficient to bring about such a hearing, and witnesses do not need to appear before the court.

State prosecutor Klaus Bronny, who is in charge of coordinating the judicial preparations for the World Cup, said he plans a crackdown on lawbreakers of all sorts. They will "feel the full force of the law," he told reporters.

Catalog of offenses

"Some of the visitors, and some Germans of course, will commit criminal offences during the 2006 World Cup," he said. "And naturally the police and justice officials have to be well prepared."

Bronny has already drawn up a catalogue of penalties to apply to all the World Cup cities across the board. Foreign visitors who break the law will have to pay a "commensurate security deposit" of between 150 and 1,200 euros. A catalogue of 15 typical offenses -- from trespassing to shoplifting to bodily harm -- will determine the fine.

In addition, the authorities hope to deter violence as much as possible. They are already exchanging information with other countries about potential criminals, and travel bans are planned as well.

Cologne, a World Cup city, is used to dealing with football fans of all stripes. Police spokesman Jürgen Göbel acknowledged that providing security for the World Cup is especially important event -- Germany is especially eager to appear in a good light.

Big screens pose problems

"Currently people are very interested in the police security plan," Göbel said. "I have the impression people abroad want to know if they'll be safe if they travel here to watch the matches."

Göbel said he worries about large gatherings, especially around the outdoor large-screen televisions that will be set up for the public to watch the World Cup matches. For the police, the outdoor screens mean constant duty, and a ban on police taking holidays.

Image of justice

And with the speedy hearing system, members of the legal system will also be putting in overtime, and will have to be on hand at the stadiums.

Not all the judges are ready to accept the new plans, however.

"All we need now is for FIFA to set the legal penalties during this World Cup," said Jürgen Mannebeck, a spokesman for the Cologne court. "What about our existing system? In Germany, we have independent judges who award penalties according to what they think is right.

"That's the image we should be portraying. Not a catalogue worked out by some justice and interior ministers," he added.