China's parliament is expected to begin debating the country's first law on football hooliganism which could mete out jail terms and fines for loutish behavior, state press reported.

According to the draft law, police will be empowered to detain any fan suspected of disrupting a match for up to 20 days and fine them up to 5,000 yuan (US$600).

The law is expected to be debated by an ongoing meeting of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, China's legislature, it said.

It comes after the Asian Cup finals in China this year were marred by the constant heckling of Japan by Chinese fans.

In one incident, Japan's team bus was rushed by an angry mob while Japanese fans had to be escorted out of the stadium by riot police.

On Saturday, a referee was injured by a flying object at a match between Beijing and Tianjin.

Under the draft law, fans will be prohibited from shouting or unfurling banners with "insulting slogans" and of assaulting or threatening referees or players, the paper said.

The law will also stipulate punishment for setting up unregistered websites that carry content deemed to be "insulting" or stirring up "the emotions" of fans, it said.

Also included in the law are areas touching on public drunkenness at matches and match gambling, as well as drug selling and public begging at matches.

China's 10-year-old professional league has reached a crossroads this year with a public outcry over corruption among football officials and referees and a general lack of good play at matches.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2004)