Season 00/01 - April

Partizan Beograd - Red Star Beograd - 16/04/2001

Source: Serbia Info.com

Dozens of fans were injured during running battles before the big Belgrade derby. Rivals fans hurled bricks and bottles at each other an hour before the kick off and then fought with baseball bats and iron rods before riot police moved in to quell the violence. Police used batons to disperse the fans, who pelted them with stones and smashed the windows of nearby shops and kiosks as they retreated to a park next to Partizan's stadium. Local media reported that many of them were taken to hospital with severe cuts and bruises while several were reportedly admitted with fractured limbs.

Source: Reuters

Crowd violence mars Partizan victory in Belgrade derby

Serious crowd trouble marred yet another Belgrade derby between champions Red Star and bitter rivals Partizan on Saturday when dozens of fans were injured in running battles. Partizan won the top-of-the-table clash 2-1 to draw level on points with leaders Red Star and throw the title race wide open. The violence started an hour before kick-off when rival fans fought each other with baseball bats and iron rods, and hurled stones at riot police who moved in to quell the violence. The fans smashed shop windows and kiosks and scores were taken to hospital with severe cuts, fractured limbs and brusies. The reverse fixture was abandoned last October when fans invaded the pitch after three minutes of play and attacked players. The match was replayed amid heavy security last month and Red Star ran out 2-0 winners.

Celtic Glasgow - Glasgow Rangers - 29/04/2001

Source: RTE News

Twenty-eight people have been arrested for public order offences following what Gardaí are describing as a "riot" just off O'Connell Street in Dublin this evening. Around 200 to 300 Celtic Football Club Supporters had been drinking in the Sideline Bar on Cathal Brugha Street during Celtic's Old Firm clash with rivals Rangers. The trouble started after the fans came out on the street to celebrate Celtic's three nil victory. Gardaí say that the fans were singing and blocking traffic. The situation escalated when the fans spat at a female Garda who arrived on the scene. Other Gardaí were verbally abused by the crowd. Gardaí were brought in from as far away as Dun Laoghaire to try to bring the situation under control. Twenty-five people are being held at Store Street Garda Station and five people are being held at Pearse Street Station. All are expected to be charged with public order offences.

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Source : The Mirror

200 Celtic fans go on rampage after win

TWO hundred Celtic fans went on the rampage last night after their team beat Rangers.

Thirty supporters were arrested after they smashed up cars and attacked Gardai in Dublin city centre.

More than 200 fans were involved in the riot.

Gardai charged 30 people with public order offences in Store Street and Pearse Street stations.

All those arrested were expected to be released last night.

A Garda spokesman said the majority of the fans emerged from a bar on Cathal Brugha Street, just off O'Connell Street.

A rear window of a Garda patrol car was smashed by the drunken mob, and two officers - one female - received minor injuries after being surrounded and "roughed up".

Gardai were called in from all stations in the vicinity and 50 officers arrived to deal with the trouble-makers.

They had been drinking since the match kicked off at 1pm.

Blackburn Rovers - FC Burnley - 01/04/2001

Source: This is Lancashire

A POLICEMAN was dragged into a pub and glassed by soccer hooligans after Blackburn Rovers' derby day victory.
The officer was attacked in the Black Horse in Abbey Street, Accrington, as police trying to go to their colleague's aid faced a barrage of bottles and glasses.
Thirty six people were arrested for football-related incidents during the day but police, who launched the biggest ever operation at a Lancashire football match, today said that apart from the incident, at 5pm, they were pleased with the way they handled the match.
The officer was dragged inside the pub after he tried to arrest a man standing outside. He suffered facial injuries and cuts and was treated at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.
Police sealed off the area. One man has been arrested in connection with the incident and was being questioned today.
Police today confirmed that the assault was carried out at a pub where known trouble-makers following Burnley FC had gathered but said they could not confirm whether either incident involved a notorious gang of hooligans known as the Suicide Squad.
The assault happened amid several stand-offs between fans and police after the game. A number of fights broke out across Accrington town centre between football fans but they were quickly dealt with by police.
The chairman of the Lancashire Police Authoirty, Dr Ruth Henig, today also condemned more than 500 Burnley fans who ignored police advice and travelled to the game by train -- getting off at Rishton station before being marched to Ewood Park under heavy police guard after being spotted by officers.
Coun Ruth Henig said: "You have to ask why these people got off the train at Rishton, because it is a long walk to Ewood Park. It is obvious they wanted to break away and make their own way there, probably causing trouble on the way before being spotted by the police."
Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I am absolutely appalled that thugs have used football as an excuse to commit violence.
"I was very impressed with the way everything was handled at the game and the fans seemed to behave very well. I went to the game with my two sons and it was a wonderful day.
"I doubt these people involved in the incidents in Accrington are true soccer fans and I am appalled that a police officer has been injured as he tried to carry out his duty.
"My thoughts are with him and his family."
A police spokesman said: "The officer was injured as he attempted to arrest someone and was dragged into the pub.
"As other police officers followed him into the pub, they were pelted with a shower of bottles, one of which injured the officer."
Black Horse landlady Eileen Griffiths only took charge of the pub four months ago. She said: "I don't know what sparked it off, but the pub was packed with Burnley fans. All of a sudden there were bottles and glasses flying in the air. The police had been outside the pub all day and they came in when the trouble started. Then the fans started throwing stuff at the police and I think the policeman might have got hurt then, but I'm not sure."
"I was behind the bar so I couldn't really see what was going on. I've never had any trouble like this before."
Mrs Griffiths closed her pub for the rest of the day while police investigated the incident.
Dr Henig, chairman of the Lancashire Police Authority, said: "Such violence cannot be condoned.
"It is a great shame that some people are determined to spoil the fun for everybody else. "I had a nasty feeling something like this would happen and someone would get hurt. The police spent months planning for this event and they did very well but some people just set out to cause problems."
Supt Dave Mallaby said: the operation had involved several hundred officers being drafted in for other divisions and had placed a substantial strain on resources. A special train was laid on for the disappointed Burnley fans after the game, leaving Blackburn at 3.10pm.
Police returned to the station at around 6pm when a large group of fans gathered on the platforms, preparing to board the York-bound train, which calls at Accrington and Burnley.
Some 100 fans were refused entry to the train and were sent back out on to Blackburn Boulevard. A brief stand-off between a small group of fans and police officers ended when the fans dispersed into Blackburn town centre. After the troublemakers in Accrington were dispersed, police had to deal with fans threatening each other outside the Royal Oak in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, at 7.30pm.
A police spokesman said: "We had planned for a lot of arrests and 36 arrests is a relatively small number for such a big event."
Supt Mallaby added: "We feel it has gone better than we could have expected. We had planned for this game for months and anticipated public disorder problems."

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Source: NCIS

The largest group of Burnley supporters numbering about 120 walked from Rishton to Blackburn, a 2-hour walk, under escort. Smaller groups arrived by unknown means. One of these groups was involved in a small-scale fight with home fans outside a pub en route to the ground. Following the game, around 500 Burnley supporters were escorted to the railway station. Around 150 Burnley supporters got off the train in Accrington and settled in a pub under police supervision. At about 5 pm they had started to become extremely rowdy and an arrest was made outside the pub near the front doors. One of the officers involved in this arrest was struck on the back of the head by a bottle thrown from inside the pub and suffered a two-inch cut. Officers donned full protective equipment and one serial entered the pub with shields. This was followed by serious disorder as the Burnley subjects threw numerous glasses and bottles at officers. The serial was forced to withdraw. Order was restored and numerous arrests were made. Rovers supporters numbering around 100 had gathered in their main pub in Blackburn and heard of the disorder in Accrington. The main group of around 70 left for the train station to travel to Accrington. Police refused to let the train leave and the group got off. They then confronted the police as they left. Batons were drawn but not used and the group were discouraged from confronting the police further at that time. Disorder continued to take place in Accrington involving those Blackburn supporters who had travelled to Accrington. Further arrests were made. At about 8.30 pm an arrest was made outside the pub containing the Blackburn supporters, in Blackburn, for a public order offence. The landlady was subsequently arrested for abusing officers. This led to the landlord being arrested for abuse and this further led to serious disorder taking place. Officers came under attack from bottles and glasses and the customers inside, still including around 40 supporters, tried to lock officers out. Further arrests were made.

Napoli get one-match stadium ban - 03/04/2001

Source: Reuters

Italy's football federation (FIGC) handed first division Napoli a one-match ban from their home ground on Tuesday following crowd trouble last weekend. The club were also fined 20 million lire for unruly and violent behaviour by fans at Sunday's game against Atalanta in Bergamo, when smoke-bombs were thrown on to the field. Napoli protested the ban on the San Paolo stadium, saying it would badly hurt the club. "The damage that this decision will cause our club cannot be calculated," vice-president Dario Boldoni said. He said it was "unfair" to blame the club for the behaviour of its fans and vowed to challenge the ruling. Napoli have already been fined several times this season for crowd trouble. Italian football officials recently introduced stricter rules and fines against clubs in an attempt to curb violence at stadiums.

FC Barcelona - Liverpool FC - 05/04/2001

Source: Reuters

Seven Liverpool fans held by police after attack

Spanish police have arrested seven Liverpool fans after two Spaniards were attacked in Barcelona ahead of the UEFA Cup semifinal between the two teams. "Seven Liverpool fans were arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning after two Spaniards were attacked in the centre of the city," a police spokesman said. "The seven are being held in custody pending further investigations." The spokesman said that the two victims were admitted to hospital with minor injuries. One has since been released, while the other remains under observation. An estimated 4,000 Liverpool fans were due to attend the first leg of the semifinal in Barcelona, according to local newspaper reports.

French referees boycotted a game - 05/04/2001

Source: Reuters

Bulgaria's Football Union have named the match official who will handle a French first division replay after France's referees boycotted the game. The trouble started on December 21 when assistant referee Nelly Viennot, the only woman to officiate in the French league, was hit by a flare during Strasbourg's game against Metz. A young Starsbourg supporter of 21 years of age was arrested by the police. The referee stopped the game for the first time after the Metz' supporters threw fireworks on to the pitch. French police said that German hooligans from Kaiserslautern and Karlshrue went to France, to reinforce Ultras from Strasbourg and Metz, and caused troubles inside the stadium. France's referees union (UNAF) criticised the decision to replay the match and refused to handle it in protest, prompting the French League to negotiate with Bulgarian officials. Anton Genov will now handle the game on April 11th, the Bulgarian union's referees commission said on Thursday. The match will be played behind closed doors.

La Louvière - RSC Charleroi - 06/04/2001

Source: mail + local newspaper

Report from a CH-lad

During the journey 3 Charleroi lads went in La Louviere with the aim to have a meeting-point but locals refused. So, at 6.30pm about 25 CH-lads came in front of a local pub were the hardcore of Wolf-Side was present (about 15 lads) but refused a toe-to-toe, so the pub was totaly smashed up. After the game a group of about 50 Wallon's Boys saw some Wolf-siders who were waiting for them. Visitors charged but locals take a run and stayed with normal fans. Some fights erupted (no normal fans were beaten up). Visitors made 2 other charges before the intenrvention of gendarms and cavalery. At this time Wallon's Boys were present with 50-60 lads and charged 3 times the cavalery, trying to reach the locals, who did not move. It must be specified that incidents occured because locals were provoking on the net, but did not assure!


From a local newspaper
SMASHING WINDOWS AND FIGHTS ...
Before the game, at about 6.30pm, a fight erupted at the pub 'La Guingette', situated at the crossroad of Baume street and Buset Avenue. It seems that fans from La Louviere made some provocations on their website during the week, saying that their local was this pub. Before the match, a crowd of Charleroi supporters came in front of the pub, requesting the locals to go out for a fight. Locals refused and a fight erupted between both groups. As the fights starts the manager of the pub called the police who came...some hours too late. Windows were smashed up, the door was also damaged... No people were wounded and no arrests were made...


After the game, fans of both teams rioted another time in front of the stadium. A large crowd of visitors took another road, where policemen weren't there. As policemen were looking for them, Charleroi lads saw a group of locals. Police made a charge (this time with the cavalery) with the aim to separate both groups. As the locas were running, visitors were attacking police. Many fights erupted but no arrests were made...

Levski Sofia - Minyor Pernik - 15/04/2001

Source: Reuters

Rioting fans stop Bulgarian league match

A Bulgarian league match between leaders Levski Sofia and bottom club Minyor Pernik was abandoned midway through the second half after fans rioted, state news agency BTA said. Referee Anton Genov stopped the game when Minyor fans started throwing stones and other objects on to the pitch after Genov sent off Minyor forward Tony Evtimov in the 65th minute. There were no reports of casualties. Evtimov was the second Minyor player to receive a red card after Nikolay Alexandrov was sent off in the 44th minute, BTA said. Levski were leading 1-0 when the game was abandoned after striker Georgi Ivanov's 45th minute penalty. The Bulgarian Footbal Union's disciplinary commission is expected to make a ruling on the match next week.

Huddersfield Town - Queen's Park Rangers - 21/04/2001

Source: NCIS

There was continual baiting between each group during the game. In extra time, Huddersfield scored the winning goal and supporters celebrated by coming to the front of the seated area and baiting QPR supporters. Stewards and police moved in to Huddersfield supporters and attempted to move them into the seating area. QPR supporters overran the steward lines and attempted to move towards the Huddersfield area. Police were deployed with batons and supporters were driven back into the away area and out of the stadium. Huddersfield and QPR supporters moved out of the Stadium and attempted disorder which was prevented by police officers. Two officers were injured, resulting in two arrests for disorder and assault.

Sao Paulo FC - Portuguesa - 22/04/2001

Source: Reuters

Sao Paulo fans protested outside the team dressing room and threw stones at the players' bus after seeing their side slump to their fourth successive defeat on Sunday. Sao Paulo's 1-0 defeat by Portuguesa left them with no chance of reaching the semi-finals of the Paulista (Sao Paulo state) championship -- the very least that had been expected of them. Television pictures showed a group of supporters protesting noisily outside the dressing room door after the game, demanding the resignation of coach Vadao with chants of "Get out, Vadao". Pictures also showed the team bus pulling out of the stadium with smashed windows after fans had hurled stones at the vehicle.

Germinal Beerschot - FC Antwerp - 22/04/2001

Source: forum

Germinal Beerschot beat Antwerp 3-1 in a local derby marred by post-match clashes between rival fans and riot police. Police charged supporters outside the ground to separate rival factions. Fighting continued in the town centre and police said they had made 26 arrests.

Roda JC - Ajax Amsterdam - 16/04/2001

Source: Soccer Fans website

After the first half a KV Mechelen fan (KV Mechelen has a friendship with Roda JC) climbed on the pitch and walked to the ajax area and tried to hit ajax fans with a belt. One ajax fan climbed over the
fence afer that, both got arrested and stadiumban. After Ajax scored the 1-1, a fight broke out between a small group of Ajax fans and Roda supporters on the west-side of the stadium. After this incidents Ajax fans were
escorted away by dutch riot police. After the game Ajax fans destroyed fences and toilets in their area and threw bottles on the riot police and Roda stand. 6 people got arrested.

Zenit St Petersburg - Dynamo Moscow - 18/04/2001

Source: Soccer Fans website

More then 1000 Dynamo fans moved to St. Petersburg. This was their first visit to the city after the match, when 15-years old boy was killed in a fight. Only 100-150 Dynamo hools managed to enter the stadium. Others were stopped by Special Police.

Kaizer Chiefs - Orlando Pirates - 11/04/2001

Source: BBC

A stampede at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesberg results in the deaths of 43 people, the worst disaster in South Africa's sporting history.

Lupopo - Mazembe - 30/04/2001

Source: BBC

An eventual total of 14 people killed during a stampede following crowd trouble at a major league match at city of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

FC Bruges - RSC Charleroi - 22/04/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

Bruges' view:

About 35 lads from Charleroi came to Brugge. After the game, they left their visitor area sector in order to reach the Brugge side.
BFC mob was gathering, and came from the other way. Wallon's Boys Charleroi firm had to make a run back until their bus.
Altough they were outnumbered, they tried to reach the Brugge pub, which can only be respected..

Charleroi's view:

Prior to the game, our small mob (about 20 in a coach, joined by normal fans) stayed a few kilometers far away from Bruges and phoned local youths to have an off. No answer.
Arriving in Bruges, we took the road of the Bruges main boozer. We gave another phonecall to local youths who announced their venue with about the same number.
After a few minutes we saw them arriving...with all their firm (40/60).
Out youth went away and we waited there with 9 lads. We fronted them and police forces arrived after a minute, separating both sides.
Two arrests wre made on our mob.
Inside the stadium, we received another phonecall to gave us respect for what we made.
At the end of the game, we forced our coach driver to pass in front of the Bruges main boozer. One of ours threw a beer and all their lads chased our coach who was stucked into the traffic.
No chance to go out for us and locals totally destroyed the coach with lads and normal fans inside it.
Finally we took the train to go back to Charleroi...after visiting the police station.

Charleroi lads waiting Bruges mob


9 Charleroi lads fronted the BCF mob




Bruges mob chased the WBC coach

Hull City - Scunthorpe United - 07/04/2001

Source: NCIS

A coach carrying Scunthopre supporters stopped at traffic light adjacent to the ground and was attacked. The Scunthorpe supporters got off the bus and a fight ensued. After 20 minutes police restored order. 14 were arrested. During the game, two arrests were made for pitch invasion. After the match, police deployment prevented any disorder. After a call to a local hotel at 5 am the next morning Sunderland supporters and a Hull supporter were arrested for damage at the hotel. The Sunderland supporters had been seen at the game in the company of Hull supporters.

Stockport County - Sheffield Wednesday - 07/04/2001

Source: NCIS

Small skirmishes broke out in the town centre prior to kick-off. Following the game, the Sheffield supporters drank in a public house until 6 pm and were then escorted back towards the railway network. As the escort reached the market area individuals broke from the group, prompting a police response with batons to encourage them back into the escort. This was achieved without further trouble. On arrival at Stockport railway station, the group was corralled until shuttle coaches arrived and conveyed them to Manchester railway station, under police escort. Individuals were arrested for public order at that location. The Sheffield group was encouraged to catch the first return train. BTP escorted the train. A South Yorkshire Police public order unit met the train upon its arrival.

Plymouth Argyle - Brighton and Hove Albion 14/04/2001

Source: NCIS

Following this match, a Brighton coach went to Exeter, which is 45 miles away. At Exeter there was serious disorder in the city centre at about 9 pm as Brighton supporters attacked a public house. Exeter supporters were inside and threw pub furniture through the windows at Brighton supporters. 12 Brighton supporters were arrested for various public order offences.

Preston North End - Nottingham Forest 14/04/2001

Source: NCIS

Ten minutes before half time, a group of 30 Forest supporters left the ground and made their way to a public house containing about 20 Preston supporters. Police prevented this group from entering the pub. Whilst the Forest group were held outside the Preston supporters left via a side door and there was a confrontation across both sides of the road. The Preston group was forced back inside the pub and one supporter was arrested for public order. The Forest group was then taken directly to the train station and placed on the train back to Blackpool. At the end of the game the remaining Forest supporters left on the train to Blackpool. A group of 40 Preston supporters then made their way to the area close to the train station and there were reports of fighting in the street. Patrols attended and four Preston supporters were arrested.

Port Vale - Swansea City 16/04/2001

Source: NCIS

This was a 'police-free' match and there were no problems at all until the Vale fans discovered that there were about six Stoke fans in with the visitors. At the end of the game, there was a gathering of more than 100 Vale fans near to the visitors' exit gates. The stewards guided the Stoke supporters out of another part of the ground but the Vale fans continued trying to find them amongst the Swansea fans. The stewards and police kept them apart until police resources arrived and dispersed the Vale fans to the town. Due to this, no disorder occurred and no arrests were made.

Grimsby Town - Sheffield United 21/04/2001

Source: NCIS

After match, Grimsby supporters gathered in a public house and a search was made for away fans but all the pubs were fairly quiet although some were closed. Officers were supervising this pub when the decision was made to stand most of them down just before 6 pm. Some five minutes later a call was received from the licensee of the a public house which had contained Sheffield supporters, stating public disorder had taken place in the pub with around 80 split between rival groups, glasses thrown and tables damaged. All was quiet on the arrival of the officers.

Manchester United - Manchester City - 21/04/2001

Source: NCIS

Prior to the game, around 150-200 City supporters were located in a public house 2-3 miles away from the stadium. The majority of the group were escorted to the stadium and arrived after kick-off and there were therefore no confrontations between the two groups prior to the kick-off. A number of City supporters were however arrested on their way to the stadium for public order offences and around 30 were refused entry to the stadium as they did not have tickets. They then made their way back to the public house. City fans were kept in the stadium after the game, negating the chance for incidents of disorder in the stadium. The City supporters then regrouped in the pub they had been in prior to the game. The United group appeared shortly thereafter and disorder broke out resulting in a number of arrests. The groups then moved into the city centre where several attempted confrontations were prevented by police. The City group then attacked a public house containing around 40 United supporters windows were damaged and missiles thrown, resulting in further arrests. Later in the evening there were a number of running battles and further arrests were made.

Disorder Oxford City Centre - 21/04/2001

Source: NCIS

On Saturday 21/04/2001, Swindon Town had played at Wycombe Wanderers and Oxford United had played at Bristol Rovers. At about 10 pm disorder occurred in the area of the bus station in Oxford City Centre between Oxford and Swindon fans. Swindon fans numbering about 20 were escorted to the railway station by Officers and left there. A short while later Oxford attended the station and disorder occurred resulting in assaults and damage to station property.

Sheffield Wednesday - Barnsley - 21/04/2001

Source: NCIS

Prior to the game, a group of Sheffield supporters attempted a confrontation with the visiting group. Missiles were thrown, but order was restored by police. After the game, police prevented confrontation with rivals on the outer concourse and mounted police dispersed a group of Sheffield supporters. The Barnsley supporters were escorted out of the city.