Poland's 'King of Fans' standing for parliament

Known for his football-decked crown and regal robes, Poland's iconic top fan Andrzej Bobowski has decided it is time to don a collar and tie and switch to the benches of parliament. "King of Fans" Bobowski announced Monday he will be running for a seat in Poland's October 9 general election. "I've been involved in football for many decades," the 70-year-old told AFP. "Now it's time for politics!" Bobowski has a record 223 Poland matches under his belt and over a thousand at his beloved club Legia Warsaw, as well as nine World Cups and five European Championships. "I'm the candidate of ordinary fans, the normal sport-lovers," said Bobowski, who will stand in Warsaw for the centrist Polish People's Party. His decision to run comes as fans feel the heat of a drive to stamp out hooliganism before Euro 2012 in Poland and neighbouring Ukraine. Polish authorities say there are up to 5,000 hardcore hooligans in this nation of 38 million, in gangs modelled on England's once-notorious "firms". The government and police have urged the league to extend into next season a ban on away supporters imposed in May for the final matches of last term. Police and Poland's PZPN football association got tough following crowd violence at the May 3 cup final between Legia and Lech Poznan. Other mooted measures include a fan identity card system, which has proven controversial elsewhere in the past, notably in Britain where plans were dropped. Bobowski said that while he has no time for troublemakers, some of whom have moved into organised crime, a hammer-blow is not the answer. "This hurts ordinary fans," he underlined. "And if you don't respect the fans, they won't respect you." Bobowski said he is more than a single-issue politician. Having retired after working as a builder, he says he will also fight the corner of fellow pensioners, addressing concerns about health service changes, taxes, and the rising cost of living. Bobowski will have his work cut out winning a seat, however. The Polish People's Party -- the junior member of the country's coalition government -- is rooted in the countryside and does not hold any seats in the capital. "I'm going to have a fight on my hands," he acknowledged.