Platini warns of new 'dark days' of hooliganism

UEFA president Michel Platini on March 24 warned of a return to the "dark days" of hooliganism in Europe fired by a rise in nationalism and extremism.
      
Platini, who is to be reelected unopposed to a third term leading Europe's governing body, said governments had to stop a return to the 1980s when "hooligans and all manner of fanatics called the shots" in many European stadiums.
      
The former football star highlighted the 30th anniversary of the 1985 Heysel stadium disaster in Brussels, when 39 people died. Platini played for Juventus against Liverpool in the European Cup final.        
"Europe is seeing a rise in nationalism and extremism the like of which we have not witnessed for a very long time," Platini told UEFA's annual congress in Vienna.
      
"This insidious trend can also be observed in our stadiums, as football is a reflection of society. Given its popularity, our sport is a barometer for the ills of our continent. And that barometer is pointing to some worrying developments."      

Crowd troubles and racist abuse have mounted in stadiums across Europe in the past two years, but particularly in recent months.
      
+ The Greek government halted the main football league for one week this year because of repeated crowd troubles and pitch invasions. The Greek Cup final between AEK Athens and Olympiakos was called off because of a pitch invasion.
      
+ Dynamo Kiev's Europa League game against French side Guingamp was halted for 15 minutes because of crowd trouble. The Ukrainian side had to close part of their stadium for the next round against Everton. They were also fined.
      
+ Feyenoord's Europa League game against AS Roma in Rotterdam was suspended for more than 10...