How do young people feel about football hooliganism?

An investigation by BBC Radio 5 Live earlier this month revealed a disturbing increase in the number of teenagers involved in football hooliganism. Figures from the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) show that violent incidents featuring young people aged 20 or under have increased almost threefold since 2007, and last season, more than 100 cases of youth hooliganism were recorded. The figures also show that 290 young people in the UK currently have a football banning order, the youngest being just 13 years old.

Start a discussion about football hooligans. How do young people feel about hooliganism? Have they experienced it first hand? How were they affected by it? Ask young people why they feel teenagers are becoming more involved in football hooliganism. What's the appeal? Is fighting fun because it's dangerous? Does it show young people are passionate about their team? Or is hooliganism not always about football? Some young people admit that hooliganism is about fighting to protect their local area. Some hooligans believe that they are true football fans, because they are willing to fight for their club.

- Do young people agree? Can hooligans really call themselves fans of football?

Consider the consequences of receiving a banning order. People issued with banning orders can be prevented from entering football grounds for up to 10 years and can be asked to surrender their passport when the England football team plays abroad. Courts can also restrict people from using public transport when local football games are being played. Should young people be given banning orders? Is this an appropriate punishment? Can young people suggest other ways of dealing with young hooligans?

Acpo has estimated a shortfall between the costs of policing football matches and how much the football clubs pay for themselves. Should clubs pay for additional police to combat hooliganism? Should they take some responsibility for violence? Should football governing bodies do more to prevent young people becoming hooligans? How can the problem be tackled? Should young people be educated more about hooliganism at school? Consider how hooliganism is documented in the media. Think about the reputation of England football fans abroad. How does this make young people feel? Considering that thousands of people watch football games each week, is hooliganism among young people really a big problem?