China tightens football stadium safety control

The Chinese government has rolled out new regulations to beef up crowd control and safety at football matches, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Wednesday.

The regulations call for improved safety and enhanced entry and exit facilities at stadiums. They also prescribe countermeasures for acts that disturb public order during matches.

Jointly issued by the MPS and the General Administration of Sport, the rule specifies tolerable capacities for stadiums to prevent overcrowding and stampedes.

China hosts about 1,300 football matches annually, including the Super League, League One, League Two and FA Cup, all of which operate under the Chinese Football Association (CFA).

According to police and CFA officials, with the new regulations, China aims to draw lessons from other countries and prevent minor disputes at matches from escalating into major safety accidents.

The country is aware of loopholes in its football match safety control following stampedes, and in extreme cases, spectator fights at matches in other countries have resulted in dozens of deaths.

At some football matches in China, spectators have thrown objects onto the field or gathered around visiting teams' vehicles to prevent them from leaving after matches.

Under the new regulations, those whose acts seriously disrupt a football match, including those who throw objects onto the field or attack players or referees, will be dealt with immediately.