7 April 2006

AMSTERDAM — Unlicensed neighbourhood gatherings to watch World Cup matches will not be tolerated and the organisers of such events risk hefty fines, the association of Dutch municipalities (VNG) has warned.

The police are authorised to close down and ban such street parties, the VNG said in newspaper 'De Telegraaf' on Friday.

The VNG said supporters of the Dutch team must not get together in any district with too large a group of locals to watch the matches on big screens during the World Cup in Germany in June. "In that case we are talking about a public event, for which a permit is needed in our country," VNG spokesperson Arjen Konijnenberg said.

"A few neighbours with beer watching a match outside the door falls outside [the regulations]. As soon as an entire street joins in, it becomes a public event," he said.

The authorities will also act against people who set up sound systems or serve alcohol without a permit. The VNG noted municipalities can adopt local by-laws during the World Cup.

'De Telegraaf' said Videma, the national watchdog for television and video rights, could also disrupt unlicensed football parties featuring large television screens.

"Groups outside the circle of family and friends who come together to watch football matches are actually running an event. Formally the organisers have to pay for the rights," Videma spokesperson Robert-Jan Blokland said.

 "But it is a grey area as it is difficult to prove who is a friend or family."

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2006]

Subject: Dutch news