Strict penalties for offensive comments on the Internet addressed to football players

 

 The authors of offensive comments on social networks will receive long-term bans on attending football matches, the British government said. Under the new law, which was sparked by incidents during and after the European Championship final, the sanctions will run for between three and ten years.

The new law will take effect early next year, according to British media. According to the government, 1,359 bans on attending football matches have been imposed in England and Wales since 1 August.