HOME Secretary Jack Straw and Burnley Labour MP Peter Pike today backed a Tory MP's new move to crack down on football hooligans.
Simon Burns has introduced a Bill to tighten up the existing rules dealing with soccer thugs.
His Football (Offences and Disorders) Bill will allow courts to confiscate the passports of convicted football hooligans for five days either side of a major overseas match.
It will also make it an offence for individual fans to indulge in racist or obscene chanting. The current law just covers groups.
Ticket touting for overseas matches will be illegal.
Mr Burns said wanted to ensure the enjoyment of decent, law-abiding fans was not spoilt by a small minority of thugs.
Mr Pike was in the Chambers today to support the legislation.
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