Soccer matches are frequently the scene of violent brawls, dangerous stampedes and knock-down, drag-out battles between warring fans. Argentina is looking to avoid these incidents during its soccer games by employing a high-tech way of filtering out troublemakers:

The system, which will go into effect at the beginning of 2009, will be based on biometrics, which allows recognition of individuals based on their physical characteristics, and the principal element will be fingerprints.

The first step will be to create a registration system for fans in which everyone who wants to enter stadiums will have to sign up, including concession vendors, soccer team employees, journalists and even police. Personal and professional information will have to be given, as well as a photo, a signature and a fingerprint.

Fans will have to purchase tickets at special ATM machines, and pass not one but two control points before being granted access to the game.

The system is meant to weed out the violent elements of the “ultras” – super radical fans who are often behind the fights that break out at matches and extorsion attempts on club leaders.

Via / 20 Minutos