Euro 2000: cannabis to calm English hooligans

Dutch authorities have revealed the secret that allowed them to keep hooligans in check during Euro 2000.

Even after a 3–2 loss to Portugal, the authorities were able to manage the fans’ anger. To do so, Dutch and Belgian police officers—who were jointly organizing Euro 2000—had access to intelligence files on each hooligan. Johann Beelan, a spokesperson for the Eindhoven police, revealed that more than 100 hooligans were expected.

«We told them we were keeping an eye on them and that we knew who they were. They stayed calm; they were probably saving their energy for the next game against Germany.».

But the police officers emphasize above all that the availability of the Cannabis may have contributed to the peaceful atmosphere. English fans had flooded the coffee shops in Eindhoven. «Cannabis may have helped them relax; even the hooligans say they had a good time despite the loss.».

The city was also playing peaceful music in the streets, which drowned out the drunken singing of the English. City Councilwoman Marieke Van Hoof declared : «Pop music helped keep the peace by preventing the chanting that often precedes violence»

On top of that, there was a ban on selling beer with an alcohol content higher than 5° throughout Eindhoven. So we had to find a coffeeshop to cheer on his team in the Netherlands. It should be noted that violence broke out during the next match against Germany.

During Euro 2004 in Portugal, smoking weed was allowed

Portuguese police keep an eye on fans who smoke cannabis but primarily target alcohol users. Portuguese authorities followed advice from the Netherlands four years earlier and allows the use of joints on the streets of Lisbon.

«We’re not going to hide behind doors waiting for someone to smoke a joint. If the people smoking aren’t violent, why would a police officer ask, «Is that cannabis?» On the other hand, if someone is selling drugs, that’s a whole different story.».

Since there were so many street dealers in the capital, it wasn't hard to find marijuana.

The smokers in Saint-Etienne would therefore be well advised to share their cannabis with the English fans tonight for the England-Slovakia game.