Police in Taichung City were closely monitoring a group of so-called "baseball hooligans" from Japan and were determined to maintain public order to allow the Asian Baseball Championship to proceed smoothly, Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) said yesterday.
confirmation
Hu confirmed to the media reports that Japanese police had informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Police Agency that a number of known Japanese baseball hooligans, who have been denied entry to baseball stadiums in Japan, have entered Taiwan to watch the finals of the 24th Asian Baseball Championship.
The championship, which is taking place in Taichung, features teams from Japan, South Korea the Philippines and Taiwan who are competing for a place in next year's Beijing Olympics.
The mayor said Taichung police had prepared for the arrival of the thugs and have increased personnel numbers, including plain clothes inspectors, at Taichung's Intercontinental Stadium.
According to Hu, a leader of the hooligans has already been intercepted at Taichung's High-Speed Railway station and was made to return to Taipei City.
fears
There were fears that some 20 other individuals who had been identified and targeted by Taichung police might be able to mingle with spectators at last night's crucial game between Japan and Taiwan, Hu said.
Also See: BASEBALL ASIA CUP: Japan dent Taiwan's Olympic hopes
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