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During the 1970s and 1980s, hooliganism, drunkenness, and violence among club supporters (especially of British clubs) began to bring the game into disrepute and to deter spectators. Riots-before, during, and after matches-and running battles in the streets between fans became commonplace. There were also several major disasters: at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, in 1971, at the Lenin Stadium, Moscow, in 1982, at Heysel, Brussels in 1985, at Bradford, England in 1985, at Hillsborough, England in 1989, and at Bastia, Corsica in 1992.
It was essential for football authorities to clean up the game on and off the field and to make life safer for spectators. The general improvements include the introduction of all-seater stadiums (and some indoor stadiums), big video screens for pre-match entertainment, facilities such as family stands to encourage women and children to attend and to promote family participation, crèches, better catering arrangements, much better club match programmes in the shape of glossy brochures, and fanzines (fan magazines) in which club supporters can express their views. Other features are improved surveillance by stewards, police, and video cameras. Hospitality/executive boxes have been installed to bring in more money. By the mid-1990s the measures seemed to have largely succeeded, and this was illustrated by the friendliness of the supporters from throughout Europe who attended the "Euro 96" European Championship that summer.
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