German police train for trouble at World Cup

HAMBURG, Germany, Mar 10 (Reuters) A mob of 800 police dressed in street clothes and acting like hooligans squared off against riot police at a Hamburg stadium this week.

It was just one of a series of test exercises around Germany to prepare security forces for the soccer World Cup starting on June 9.

''It's a lot of fun to be standing on the 'other side' for a change and see what it's like from the fan's perspective,'' said police officer Malte Griese.

''It's completely alright that my colleagues are a bit rough with me.'' The exercise outside a horse racing track in Hamburg's Horn district was designed to improve the coordination of riot squads from different states.

There will be security forces of 1,500 to 2,000 in and around each of the 12 stadiums for the 64 matches of the tournament.

Hundreds more will be at ''public viewing areas'' where thousands of fans without tickets will watch matches. Some 25 million euros (.84 million) will be spent on stadium security alone.

German authorities have said hooliganism is their greatest concern. At the last major soccer tournament held in Germany, the 1988 European Championship, there were serious problems involving Dutch, English and German fans.

Hooliganism was also a major blight the last time the World Cup was held in Europe, in France in 1998. A French policeman was nearly beaten to death by German hooligans and English fans rioted in Marseille.

The Hamburg training exercise this week began with ''fans'' -- who were visibly full of joy at the chance to act as the troublemakers they normally have to combat at Bundesliga matches -- standing outside the stadium in lines waiting calmly.

With many wearing Germany team jerseys, the fans first passed time by cheerfully singing club songs but gradually grew impatient and restless.

''Let us in, let us in,'' they chanted before pressing forward into a row of riot police.

ROWDY CROWD Part of the rowdy crowd then veered off to try to push open a security gate, which the police were able to prevent by applying modest force.

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