Violent Fans At Mexican Football Matches To Face Lengthy Prison Sentences

Mexico's Senate approved the minutes of reforms to the Sports Law "the same day it received them," according to Mercado & Brito of LA AFICION. The new reforms will "sanction with prison and exemplary fines those fans who commit acts of violence at football stadiums." The Senate approved the reforms with 80 "yes" votes and five abstentions -- meaning "sentences of up to four-and-a-half years in jail and fines" of up to 6,000 pesos ($458). Specific fines and prison sentences were established "for violations including entering the field of play and throwing objects onto the field." Several senators "emphasized that the sport cannot be hijacked by violence" (LA AFICION, 4/1).