Rugby League's Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi-final between Sheffield Eagles and Salford at Headingley was interrupted when the game's referee, Stuart Cummings, was wrestled to the ground by a fan.

Season of violence

Earlier in March, morning raids in Sunderland, north-east England, led to the arrest of 29 men accused of plotting World Cup violence.

Swiss authorities, working with British police, also denied 19 men entry to the country before the two nations met for their World Cup warm-up.

Stadium security has been improved in recent years

And in February, police detained 20 Cardiff fans before their side's FA Cup replay with Reading. That game ended with scores of riot police drafted in to prevent disorder.

Stoke City's brand new �14m Britannia Stadium got the worst possible opening when home fans rioted after seeing the team lose 7-0 to Birmingham.

World Cup preparations

Home Secretary Jack Straw is working with the French

The English Football Association has also appointed its own anti-hooligan chief to help stamp on any potential problems from fans during the tournament.

French authorities will use a 'fast-track' justice system to deal with any hooliganism during the summer.

Dedicated prosecutors will deal with cases within 24 hours and hooligans face minimum sentences of a year for missile throwing, inciting hatred or assault.

Violence linked to football

Violence and football have long been regarded as inseparable in the UK after the rise of the hooligan in the 1970s.

Hooliganism, or an expectation of it, became so ingrained in UK sporting culture that there has been academic research into the problem and even a controversial film called ID.

But despite the sport's reputation, violence involving fans decreased during the 1990s thanks to a concerted effort by football's governing bodies, government and fans.

While the UK is seen as the home of the football hooligan, a problem now reported far and wide, the country is also acknowledged as having the expertise to crack down on violence.