Season 10/11 - October

AS Roma - Genoa - 17/10/2010

Source : The Canadian Press

Three Lazio fans arrested before AS Roma's match with Genoa for carrying weapons

Three Lazio fans were arrested before AS Roma's game with Genoa at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Saturday for possession of dangerous weapons.

The three men — aged 20, 23 and 27 — were apprehended by police near the Olympic Stadium after an officer spotted a machete under a seat, ANSA news agency reported Sunday.

Following a search, police also found baseball bats, knives, sticks, two clubs, a tennis racket and a ski mask.

Security at football matches in Italy has been tightened after Italy's Euro 2012 qualifier against Serbia on Tuesday was abandoned due to violence among Serbia fans.

1. FC Cologne - Borussia Dortmund - 16/10/2010

Source : skysports.com

Klopp condemns 'idiot' fan
Dortmund boss claims supporter threw stone at bus

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp claimed the "idiot" who had thrown a stone at his side's bus as they arrived in Cologne had only served to inspire his team to win the match.

The Westphalians were 2-1 victors in a stormy match at the Mungersdorfer Stadion on Friday.

But 90 minutes before the game started Dortmund found themselves under attack as they arrived at the ground.

"Some stupid idiot threw a stone at our coach from inside the woods before the game and then he ran away and celebrated with his friends," explained Klopp to Sky television.

"That was a cowardice and ridiculous thing to do. If anybody hears this person bragging about what he did in the pub tonight they should sort him out.

"But actually we should almost thank this idiot - what he did woke us up."=

West Midlands Police unit tackling football hooligans - 17/10/2010

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-11530117

With four West Midlands football clubs in Premier League battle, BBC Inside Out has been granted exclusive access to a special unit which is tackling hooliganism.

Back in 1984, when the West Midlands had four clubs playing in the top flight of English football, the country had a fearsome worldwide reputation for football hooliganism.

Fast forward to 2010 and Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers are once again locked in Premier League combat.

'Fierce rivalries'

West Midlands Police takes the issue so seriously that it has created a force football unit for a season where Villa, Blues, Albion and Wolves are taking part in 12 high-profile and high-risk local derbies.

And if you factor in the close proximity of another Premier League club, Stoke City, that is plenty to challenge the 14 specialist officers, working in the unit close to the M6 near Birmingham.
Unit at work The West Midlands has the highest number of banned fans outside London

West Midlands Police said it was the first force in the country to centralise its football operations.

Its aim is to keep rival thugs apart as well as ban hooligans from attending games.

Insp Howard Lewis-Jones, who leads the unit, said: "It's the first time in, I don't know, 20 years or so, that we've had four premier division clubs.

"And with that comes very fierce rivalries which we are going to be facing over the next 12 months."

Insp Lewis-Jones' team of "spotters" mingle with fans on match days. They know who the hooligans are, and the hooligans know them.

He said: "It's about communicating with them as much as we can in terms of the fact that 'we know who you are', to make sure that those risk supporters are not comfortable enough to cause any problems at that match.

"And the way that we do that is to make sure the spotters know where they are and to bring the right sort of resources to deal with them."
Pc Martin Portman A man was jailed for head-butting Pc Martin Portman in 2008

So the spotters have one goal - to prevent violent disorder, much of which is planned to happen away from the football stadiums, which are often heavily policed.

BBC cameras followed the unit at the Walsall against Wolves pre-season friendly, the opening game of the season between Wolves and Stoke and the first West Midlands derby of the season when Albion met Blues at The Hawthorns.

The chief spotter at Albion is Pc Martin Portman, who in September 2008 was viciously attacked by convicted football hooligan John Lloyd after the Baggies' game at Middlesbrough.

Pc Portman said: "He came into the pub with his friends. We had words and the next minute he attacks me and knocks me unconscious.

"When I woke up my eye had been cut open, my nose was broken and my teeth were chipped."

At Teesside Crown Court in March 2009, Lloyd, 47, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, was jailed for two years.

The West Midlands region is a hot spot for hooligans. A total of 318 people from the region are currently banned from matches, more than any other area outside London.

Insp Lewis-Jones said: "Having more banning orders can show that we have a real grip on that particular risk group.

"Unfortunately we've got a number of them coming off banning orders in the next 12 months or so, so we need to carefully monitor those individuals to see if they've learned their lesson."

Brazil : Avaí Florianópolis - Flamengo - 10/10/2010

Source : larepublica.pe + YouTube

During the game one Flamengo supporters ran in the pitch. He was stopped by the linesman and then was arrested by police.



Translation Underground Fans (c)

Serbia grapples with surge in far-right violence - 17/10/2010

Source : http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=serbia-grapples-with-surge-in-far-right-violence-2010-10-17

Thousands of black-clad young men rampage through downtown Belgrade, hurling Molotov cocktails and stun grenades at police trying to protect a gay-rights march. Football fans threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch during a championship qualifier match, forcing its cancellation.

A recent surge in attacks by right-wing extremists is pitting Serbia's pro-Western government against a movement that publicly aims to destabilize the administration and derail its hopes of joining the European Union.

The movement is a blend of violent soccer fan clubs and officially registered far-right "patriotic" organizations with long-standing ties to nationalist politicians and organized crime.

Using unemployed, angry youths as foot soldiers, the groups espouse hatred of minorities and anger at the West over its actions against Serbia during the Balkan wars of the 1990s, including the NATO bombing of Serbia over its crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo.

Their numbers swollen by rising unemployment, the groups' members have become fixtures of life on the outskirts of Belgrade. Mostly poorly educated men in their 20s, they sport shaven heads and heavy tattoos – often religious images or historic dates related to Kosovo, which they see as Serbia's heartland.

Many wear large wooden Serbian Orthodox crosses around their necks and carry baseball bats, iron bars and knives.

More than 150 people were hurt last week as thousands of extremists fought running battles with police trying to protect a gay-pride march. The march was promoted by the government as a sign that Serbia is ready to protect human rights valued by the EU.

The rioters attacked ruling party headquarters, state television company and liberal media outlets. They received support from nationalist politicians who blamed the violence on the government for allowing the gay parade.

EU officials said that the anti-gay riots could hurt Belgrade's bid to join the bloc. Serbian far-right groups warned of fresh violence if the government fails to respond to demands including abandoning its EU goals.

"We are hoping and appealing on the government to take our warning seriously ... to avoid a future wave of violence," said Vladan Glisic of the group Dveri, which claims to advocate traditional Serb family values and religion.

Serbia's top security body, the National Security Council, said Thursday that rioting extremist groups have tried to create instability and unrest, but insisted the country remains stable. Parliament's security board said authorities must further curb extremist groups and punish all those who took part in the rioting, but agreed that Serbia's constitutional order had not been jeopardized.

The U.S. private intelligence company Stratfor said, however, the surge of the far-right in Serbia could spell trouble in the Balkans.

"An ultranationalist Serbia could wreck havoc on European and U.S. priorities," the group said in its report.

Violent clashes with hooligans

An Italy-Serbia European championship qualifier game was abandoned Tuesday in Italy when Serbia fans threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch, burned an Albanian flag and broke barriers – a day before the Netherlands was to decide whether to approve Serbia's continued EU membership talks.

Among the arrested Serbian fans in Italy was the alleged ringleader of the riots, Ivan Bogdanov.

In addition to being the leader of the notorious "Ultra Boys" Red Star Belgrade football fan club, Bogdanov is also a member of Movement 1389, named after the historic Serb battle against Ottoman Turks in Kosovo. He was charged with taking part in the burning of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade in 2008 when the nationalists protested American support for Kosovo's secession from Serbia, according to Serbian court documents.

The 30-year old has been arrested five times on different charges, including drug trafficking and attacking the American Embassy, but was released pending the trials.

"We arrest these people, but they soon walk out free because of a slow judiciary," Serbia's police chief Ivica Dacic complained Thursday.

The initial sign of the violent breakup of the former Yugoslavia came in 1990 when Red Star supporters clashed with Dinamo Zagreb hooligans in the Croatian capital of Zagreb.

The Serbian fans were led by gang boss Zeljko Raznatovic, known as Arkan, who later recruited the Red Star fans to his Tigers paramilitaries who carried out atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia. After being indicted for crimes against humanity by a U.N. tribunal, Arkan was assassinated in a Belgrade hotel in 2000.

Poland: Hutnik Nowa Huta - BKS Bochnia - 17/10/2010

Source: http://busko.net.pl/wiadomosci/news.php?id=7696

Poland: Sparta Rejowiec Fabryczny- Włodawianka Włodawa - 09/10/2010

Source: http://www.dziennikwschodni.pl/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101009/PILKA04/986657338

Cagliari - Inter Milan - 17/10/2010

Source: cbc.ca

Racism in Serie A merely a reflection of Italy

It's a scene that has become all too familiar in soccer stadiums across Europe, but in Italy in particular.

Sunday's Serie A contest between Cagliari and Inter Milan at Stadio Sant'Elia in Sardinia was marred by a section of local fans who hurled racial abuse at Inter's Cameroonian striker Sameul Eto'o. Every time Eto'o, who is black, touched the ball, he was serenaded by a chorus of boos and racial epithets coming from supporters sitting in the northern end of the stadium.

Referee Paolo Tagliavento halted proceedings after three minutes and a public announcement was made that warned the fans the match would be suspended if their racists chants didn't stop.

The game quickly resumed and fans in the rest of the stadium made their anger at the supporters in the northern end known, applauding and chanting loudly to drown them out when the game started up again.

Eto'o earned a small measure of revenge, scoring a cracking goal in the 39th minute - his sixth in seven games this season - to lead Inter to a 1-0 victory.

Not an isolated incident

Full credit to Tagliavento for immediately stopping the match and to Eto'o for his marvellous goal and the sheer class he displayed in handling the situation. But that shouldn't disguise the fact that racism continues to be a problem in Serie A stadiums.

Eto'o and former teammate Mario Balotelli, an Italian striker who is black, were subject to similar racist abuse in recent years in Serie A. In 2005, Ivorian defender Marco Zoro was reduced to tears while playing for Messina after being tormented by racist chants from Inter Milan fans.

In 1999, S.S. Lazio played city rivals AS Roma, a team widely supported by Rome's significant Jewish population. Lazio's fans took anti-Semitism to sickening heights when they unfurled a 50-metre banner around their section of Rome's Olympic Stadium that read: 'Auschwitz is your town, the ovens are your houses.'

A reflection of Italy

How did it get to this point? Why have Italian soccer stadiums become macabre theatres of hatred and racial intolerance?

There are, of course, a slew of social, political and economic factors but the simplest answer is that Serie A is a mere microcosm of Italian society

The multiculturalism and religious pluralism that we take for granted in Canada simply doesn't exist in Italy. It is a country noted for and in fact being proud of being mono-cultural and mono-religious.

Indeed, when current Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (who earlier this month publically made a crude joke about Jews and the Holocaust) ran for re-election in 2006 he tapped into a rich vein of anti-immigrant sentiment amongst the Italian public.

"We don't want Italy to become a multiethnic, multicultural country. We are proud of our traditions," Berlusconi said at the time.

Roberto Calderoli, one of Berlusconi's current cabinet ministers, applauded the comments of the Italian Prime Minister, stating that "our values, our identity, our history, our traditions" must be defended against immigration.

Berlusconi narrowly lost the 2006 election, but he was voted back into office two years later, and continued to tighten Italy's immigration policy, including introducing legislation that cracked down on illegal immigration.

All of which has been met with approval by Italian citizens who blame foreigners for the woes of the country, including the crime rate and the poor economy - the later charge being totally ridiculous, considering that kind of manual work usually done by immigrants is shunned by many Italians.

It would also be grossly unjust to paint all Italians with the same racist brush, but the fact is that we can hardly be surprised by overt displays of racial and religious intolerance inside Italy's soccer stadiums - it's merely a reflection of the country.

Middlesbrough - Leeds United - 16/10/2010

Source : yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

A total of 23 arrests were made following Leeds United's 2-1 away win against Middlesbrough.

Trouble flared as both groups of fans left Middlesbrough's Riverside ground together after the game resulting in incidents.

A crescendo of boos from the home supporters had greeted the final whistle, while jubilant United fans celebrated their team rising to ninth in the table in manager Simon Grayson's 100th match in charge.

Those detained were arrested on suspicion of committing assault, public order and drunk and disorderly offences.

Of the 23 arrested, six are understood to have been Leeds supporters and 17 home team fans. It is not yet known how man of the total have been charged with offences.

In the past police at Middlesbrough have held back groups of supporters to avoid trouble, but on some occasions a group have shown a determination not to be held back, said spokeswoman for Cleveland Police.

On this occasion it was judged to be safer to allow both groups of fans to leave the ground together to avoid risk of crushing problems.

Israel : Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC - Beitar Jerusalem - 18/10/2010

Source : haaretz.com

Two Beitar Jerusalem fans were arrested after clashes with police erupted immediately after the team's Premier League match yesterday against Bnei Yehuda at Bloomfield Stadium in Jaffa.

Yesterday's match was marred by a violent altercation between rowdy Beitar supporters and police after the final whistle. Television cameras clearly captured footage of one fan attempting to steal a policeman's two-way radio. The officer then retaliated by throwing a series of punches. A number of policemen were summoned to the Beitar section of the stands in an effort to quell the tensions.

Dundee United - Celtic Glasgow - 17/10/2010

Source : eveningtimes.co.uk

Celtic fans in the dock over ‘missile’

Celtic could face a probe from the SPL and SFA after missiles were thrown onto the pitch at Tannadice in the aftermath of Dougie McDonald’s penalty U-turn.

After having it pointed out to him by one of his assistants, the referee picked up a lighter that was tossed from the stand housing the travelling support, and will include the incident in his match report.

Tayside police claim chestnuts and coins were also lobbed on, and that a number of Celtic fans were ejected.

A spokesman said: “It was a rowdy Celtic support in the stadium.

“Coins were thrown onto the pitch and, bizarrely, a number of conkers landed on the grass.

“The referee will be making a report and police are making further inquiries.”

However, after Neil Lennon’s face-to-face confrontation with fourth-official John McKendrick in the aftermath of McDonald’s decision, which led to the ref being called over to speak to Lennon, it is understood no further action will be taken against the manager.

Russia : Fakel Voronezh - Metallurg Lipetsk - 19/10/2010

Source : ITN

Supporters and players clash at game in Russia

Players from Russian second division teams Fakel Voronezh and Metallurg Lipetsk clashed at the end of match after fans had fought in the street.

The violence happened on the same day that the city of Voronezh was named the site of a friendly international match in November between Russia and Belgium.

The brawl on the pitch started after Metallurg footballer Michael Yudin stepped on Fakel Voronezh's Vladimir Eremeev during the second half.

Players streamed onto the field, as officials tried to pacify opponents, before the referee sent Yudin and Fakel Voronezh Captain Alexei Zhuravlev off and the game resumed. The scuffle produced a total of nine yellow and three red cards.

Before the match, supporters of both teams had fought in the street and in a public square near the stadium. The scuffle was the second between the two teams in the past seven years.

Both team managers said they would study video footage of the match and punish guilty players. The Russian Football Federation said it would review the fight and consider penalties.

Angleterre : Crawley Town - Newport County - 16/10/2010

Source : thisissussex.co.uk

Une trentaine de fans a été impliquée dans une bagarre durant la première mi-temps. Des fans de Newport County assistaient à la rencontre dans la tribune du stade Broadfield réservée aux supporters locaux lorsque les violences ont éclaté.
Les incidents se sont poursuivis à l'extérieur du stade, plus précisément sur le parking où plusieurs vitres de voitures ont volé en éclat.
Deux supporters visiteurs ont été appréhendés par les forces de l'ordre et seront présentés à un tribunal jeudi prochain.
La police a ouvert une enquête afin d'identifier d'autres hooligans.

Traduction Underground Fans

Real Madrid - Milan AC - 19/10/2010

Source : supersport.com

Milan fans detained in Spain

Two AC Milan fans were detained, and several others were injured, in Spain on Tuesday, on the sidelines of Real Madrid's 2-0 win over the Italian side, for clashing with the police, Spanish media reported.

The clashes began when an AC Milan fan struck a policeman with the pole of a flag near Real's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the online edition of sports daily AS reported.

That triggered a fight between a group of AC Milan fans and the police, it added.

Contacted by AFP, a police spokesman for the police could not immediately confirm the arrests.

Alert as 6,000 Poles expected for Europa League clash with Manchester City - 19/10/2010

Source : menmedia.co.uk

More than 300 police officers will be on duty as Manchester braces itself for a Polish invasion on Thursday.

Manchester City are taking on Lech Poznan in a Europa League clash – and 6,000 away fans are expected to flock to Eastlands from Poland and expatriate communities around Britain.

Greater Manchester Police say they are taking no chances and have launched a ‘highly complex’ operation to prevent trouble.

It will see unprecedented numbers of officers present for a Europa League clash – and more than were on duty at last season’s highly charged Carling Cup semi final derby against United.

Hooligan elements from some Polish clubs are notorious for rioting. While a police source told the M.E.N. there was ‘no intelligence’ to suggest gangs of thugs would be travelling, they confirmed the force would be on alert.

Around 3,000 supporters are expected to jet in from Poland. But the Blues have also been besieged with ticket requests from Poles based in Britain and – acting on police advice – have given over a separate area of the ground for expat Poznan fans.

Polish-speaking officers have been brought in from across the force.

Clashes

Police officials said they are ‘aware’ of previous incidents involving Poznan fans – including internet footage showing violent clashes.

Polish fans are expected to head to the ground from all over Britain and there are fears that supporters of the club’s domestic rivals could attempt to gain entry and cause trouble for their fellow countrymen.

City have opened up the top level of the East Stand to Poznan fans based in Britain. It seats as many as 5,500 and is usually reserved for home fans.

Last night 3,000 tickets had been sold for that section.

The 3,000 travelling from Poland will be housed in the South Stand, which is normally used to seat away fans.

Although there was no trouble when Poznan played previously in the competition – against Juventus in Italy – Thursday night’s clash is different because of the vast numbers of British-based Poles.

Supt Craig Thompson, the match commander, promised ‘swift action’ against anyone intent on causing trouble.

He said: “We know this is a fixture that both sets of fans will be looking forward to.

“The majority of people who are legitimate fans will be going to support their team and we have a responsibility to make sure everyone can enjoy the match in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere and will take swift action on anyone intent on causing trouble.”

Serbia: Partizan want Belgrade derby played behind closed doors - 19/10/2010

Source : Reuters

Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade want Saturday's city derby at Red Star played behind closed doors or under tight security measures.

"Given the situation in the last 10 days or so we maintain the safest option would be to play the derby behind closed doors," Partizan president Dragan Djuric told Belgrade's B92 television on Tuesday.

"We want the match to go ahead but if it is to be played with fans present in the stadium we want written guarantees from Red Star, the Serbian FA and police that there will be water-tight security.

"If there was to be a repeat of the Genoa riots, Serbian sport would have a serious problem because the whole of Europe will be watching," said Djuric, referring to the national team's abandoned Euro 2012 qualifier in Italy last week.

Violence erupted in Genoa when Red Star fans attacked Serbia's team bus and in particular goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, one of their former players who joined Partizan on loan from Sporting Lisbon in August.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Since he joined Partizan, Stojkovic has been targeted by diehard Red Star fans.

"As Partizan's president I will not allow a situation in which our players can be lynched," said Djuric ahead of his team's Champions League Group H match at Portuguese rivals Sporting Braga later on Tuesday.

"Serbian football will suffer disastrous consequences if any trouble breaks out at the derby."

Representatives of Partizan, Red Star, the Serbian FA and police are to meet on Wednesday to hammer our a security plan.

Serbian football has been rife with violence in the past 20 years and fixtures between Partizan and Red Star have been at the forefront, with fan clashes resulting in several deaths and thousands of serious injuries.


Archive - Hooligirl

Greek police raid football fan clubs, arrest 6 - 20/10/2010

Source : USA TODAY

Greek police say they have arrested six suspected football hooligans and confiscated petrol bombs, flare guns and clubs in raids on fan clubs in Athens.

A police statement says the weapons were found late Tuesday in three clubs used by fans of Athens teams Olympiakos, AEK and Panionios.

The raids followed a tip-off that fans were planning attacks on rival club offices. Police seized 12 petrol bombs, flare guns, baseball bats and ice hockey sticks, as well as small quantities of cannabis.

The detainees are all men aged from 21-32, police said on Wednesday.

Fan violence has plagued Greek football for decades, despite efforts by successive governments to clamp down on hooligans.

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Source : ekathimerini.com

Six arrests at football fan clubs

Six people were arrested and charges were filed against another two after raids by police yesterday on four football supporters’ clubs in Athens that led to the seizure of a substantial cache of firebombs, flares, batons, knives and an array of other objects that could be used in attacks on other fans or officers.

The shocking discoveries were made after police raided a Panionios supporters’ club in Nea Smyrni, an AEK club in Aghioi Anargyroi, an Olympiakos club in Ilioupoli and a Panathinaikos club in nearby Aghios Dimitrios.

At the Panionios club, which is housed with the club’s consent in its Nea Smyrni Stadium, officers found Molotov cocktails and other objects. During their raid at the AEK club, they discovered six incendiary devices, flare pistols, hockey sticks, baseball bats, metal rods and sledgehammers.

The raid on the Olympiakos club in the eastern suburb of Ilioupoli led to the seizure of 13 batons and a knife with a 28-centimeter blade. No incriminating evidence was found at the nearby Panathinaikos club, although there has been a longstanding rivalry between Greens and Reds fans in the area which has led to attacks on each other’s clubs.

The police arrested six people aged between 21 and 32 and have charged another two. Sources told Kathimerini that none of the eight has a criminal record or was known to the police prior to yesterday’s raids. There was also no evidence linking them to other criminal activities or extreme left- or right-wing organizations.

Sources added that none of the fan clubs had been operating legally but had all been receiving match tickets for their team’s games from the administration of the soccer clubs. Police are now investigating links between soccer club officials and the supporters. There had been an effort to outlaw hardcore supporter clubs in 2008 following the murder of a Panathinaikos fan a year earlier during clashes with rival Olympiakos supporters on the outskirts of Athens.

Crystal Palace - Millwall FC - 16/10/2010

Source : Croydon Guardian

Millwall thugs run riot during Malcolm Allison tribute at Crystal Palace

Football hooligans ran amok during a memorial for a Crystal Palace legend in disgraceful scenes at the weekend.

Millwall thugs had to be held back by a police line when dozens of yobs attempted to storm home stands after tearing down safety barriers.

Leading Palace fans have called for a public apology from Millwall after the troublemakers ruined a minute’s applause for 83-year-old former manager Malcolm Allison.

The football legend, who died just 24 hours earlier, gained iconic status at the club after leading them to an FA Cup semi-final in 1976, coining their Eagles nickname and changing their colours to red and blue stripes.

Eight people were arrested before the match for offences including assault, carrying an offensive weapon and attacking a police officer.

One Millwall fan also threw a flare from the stands during the derby match, which ended in a 1-0 win for the visitors.

Former Croydon councillor Raj Chandarana, who sits on the board of the Crystal Palace supporters’ trust, described the scenes he witnessed on the day as “disgusting”.

He said: “There are two no man’s land areas on either side of the Millwall fans covered by anti-climb tarpaulins, and as soon as the minute’s applause started a whole bunch of them started wading in.

“They were booing and being very intimidating, and it looked at one point as if they were going to get on to the pitch. It was really offensive.

“This was supposed to mark the passing of a footballing institution, somebody who was colourful, lively and a real positive influence on the game.

“This was our chance to mark our respect for him and it was totally ruined.”

Stalwart Crystal Palace fan Councillor Steve O’Connell, who was also at the game, said: “I was sadly disappointed when many Millwall fans decided not to show their respect but chose to show their aggression.

“Malcolm Allison was one of my heroes and although a large majority of Millwall fans joined in the minutes applause, a significant minority prefer to have a fight.

“I am sadly not surprised by what happened.”

A Millwall FC spokesman said the vast majority of fans had joined the applause for Malcolm Allison, and confirmed the club had received no complaints from Crystal Palace or their fans.

He said: “If any individuals have genuine grievances surrounding the alleged behaviour of our fans on Saturday, they should direct them to the police and we will assist in any investigation that may ensue.”

A spokesman for Crystal Palace Football Club said: “We were happy with how the minute’s applause went for Malcolm Allison.”

Naples - Liverpool FC - 21/10/2010

Source : Sky News + dailymail.co.uk

Two Liverpool Fans Stabbed In Naples Clashes

Two Liverpool fans are in hospital with stab wounds after clashes overnight in Naples, it has emerged.

Italian police and British consular staff in the crime-ridden southern port city said there had been a series of skirmishes during the night.

The fighting comes ahead of Liverpool's Europa League game against Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium.

In the most serious cases, a 53-year-old man from Liverpool and a 27-year-old man from Blackpool suffered knife wounds across the buttocks and upper thighs.

The two were attacked in the historic city centre close to the infamous Forcella district, the heartland of the local Naples Mafia, known as the Camorra.

Blighted by crime, the area is generally off-limits to tourists.

In other clashes, a man aged 44, from Liverpool, also suffered knife wounds after being slashed across the buttocks, but refused treatment.

Three Naples fans were arrested after allegedly assaulting Liverpool followers with sticks in another part of the city.

And police said a Naples local who tried to intervene and break up the fight was himself beaten by the thugs.

In another incident, a group of British tourists mistaken for fans were also targeted by a group of stone-throwing youths as they ate in a pizzeria, but none were injured.

The family, from Bedfordshire, were followed from a bar in the Piazza Garibaldi in the city centre.

A group of between 20 and 30 men assaulted them as they walked back to their hotel.

A spokesman for the British consulate in Naples said: "We have had reports of various incidents across the city and three people have been stabbed.

"Two Liverpool supporters suffered knife wounds and will be kept in hospital for a few days and probably miss the match.

"Another supporter was also stabbed but he discharged himself because he wanted to go to the match.

"Three other fans suffered minor injuries after being assaulted and we are working with police to keep an eye on things."

A Naples police spokesman said three locals had been held in connection with the attacks.

The two stabbed men were being treated at the city's Loreto Mare hospital.

Officials say around 1,000 Liverpool supporters are expected for the game.


Italian policemen show weapons and flags seized on SSC Napoli's football team supporters

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Source : goalymoly.com

Three Italians charged with attempted murder for stabbing Liverpool fans

Napoli is overrun right now with young football hooligans wanting to make a name for themselves by stabbing up a Liverpool fan. The atmosphere is not pleasant. Gangs of Italian youths are roaming the city, asking all English-looking people (ie. pale fat men) if they support Liverpool - the sensible answer is to say 'Que?' and shrug.

Three Italian men have already been arrested and charged for knife attacks on three Liverpool fans, at a bar neat Napoli's main train station in the early hours of this morning. Happily, no one was seriously injured, but the Brits were taken to the nearest hospital and then questioned by local police.

Reports suggest that this incident is not an isolated one, with claims of several stabbings in the last 24 hours, as Napoli's hardcore fans, or Ultras, hunt Liverpool supporters. A bunch of British football hacks were also reportedly intimidated by the locals - that we don't mind.

And the game hasn't even kicked off yet! Let's hope things don't get any uglier.

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Source : supersport.com

Napoli, Liverpool fans clash

Four police officers were injured in Thursday in Naples as they intervened to separate fans of Napoli and Liverpool ahead of an Europa League match, the ANSA newsagency reported.

Police said that Napoli hooligans attacked fans of the English club outside the San Paolo stadium when they came out of an underground train station.

Hooligans had assaulted Liverpool fans already Wednesday night, injuring six of them in three different incidents.

"Our (Naples) fans tried on several occasions to attack (visiting) supporters, as well as some English people who were dining in a restaurant," the police said.

Zenith Saint-Pétersbourg - Hajduk Split - 21/10/2010

Source : Croatian Times

Split´s Hajduk fans attacked in St. Petersburg

Split football team Hajduk’s fans have been attacked twice by the rival football fans in Saint Petersburg, Russia, ahead of today’s (Thu) match between the two city’s teams.

The first incident occurred when Croatians started arriving at the Dosteyevsky hotel last night (Wed), before the Europa League game between Hajduk and St. Petersburg Zenit. Several of their Russian counterparts attacked them in the lobby as they were checking in.

The president of Hajduk’s fans Zan Ojdanic said that the second, and larger attack occurred outside near an exchange office some 100 meters from the hotel.

In the second incident around 100 Zenit supporters assaulted 30 Hajduk fans. Ojdanic says that they had been throwing torches at them.

"We defended ourselves as much as we could and we managed to get back to the hotel soon after the police arrived and everything calmed down," says Ojdanic.

None of the Croatians suffered serious injures, but several had to be treated at the hospital for cuts.

Some 500 Hajduk fans have made arrangements to come to the game that is taking place this evening (Thu) in this Russian City, the daily Jutarnji List writes.






Zenit St Petersburg's fans set an Albanian flag on fire


Torcida

CSKA Sofia - Rapid Wien - 21/10/2010

Source : novinite.com + Sportal.bg

18 Football Fans Arrested, Police Hurt in Sofia Clashes

Eighteen football fans have been arrested in the Bulgarian capital during clashes with the police after CSKA Sofia suffered a 2-0 defeat at home by Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.

"Police have been hurt and two police cars damaged," police director Valentin Yordanov announced.

The Bulgarian news agency BTA reported that some fans had thrown projectiles at match officials, broke shop and car windows outside the stadium.











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Source : FOCUS News Agency

Football fans’ behavior last night is intolerable and police must be uncompromising: general

The football fans’ behavior last night is intolerable, general Vasil Vasilev, chairman of the Commission for Fair Play, Order and Security at the Bulgarian Football Union, told FOCUS News Agency.
“The word is one – intolerable. It is intolerable for the audience to give vent to their anger in such an ugly way, provided that the team lost the match. I think the police must act absolutely uncompromisingly in such situations. They damage public property and patrol cars and it is intolerable for a group of mangy fellows to do such things. The other question is why there are people under age at the stadium, provided that the Football Hooliganism Act clearly sets forth what shall be done,” he added.

Manchester City - Lech Poznan - 21/10/2010

Source : Mail (thanks to the sender)

Serbian hooligans receive five-year ban - 23/10/2010

Source: Tanjug

A Genoa, Italy, court passed a sentence in the case against eight Serbian hooligans on Friday.

They were arrested at the football match between Serbia and Italy on October 12.

Yesterday, the court ordered that they be banned from entering stadiums for the next five-years.

The sentence is internationally valid and entails a prohibition on entering stadiums in Europe and around the world.

This is the first sentence for the Serbian sports fans who will remain in detention in Genoa until the end of the trial.

Kenya: AFC Leopards - Gor Mahia - 23/10/2010

Source : Reuters

Seven killed in Kenya football stampede

Seven football fans were killed and dozens more were injured in a stampede at a match between two of Kenya's top teams, an ambulance operator said on Saturday.

The stampede took place inside the Nyayo National stadium in the capital Nairobi during a match between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.

"Seven people are dead. People tried to force entry during the match because they didn't want to pay," David Matee, a radio operator with the St John's Ambulance, told Reuters.

At least 30 people were hurt in the crush, 14 of them critically, Matee said.

Television pictures showed medics trying to revive one supporter outside the stadium and ambulances ferrying away the injured.

The match was temporarily halted.

Red Star Belgrade - Partizan Belgrade - 23/10/2010

Source: Tanjug + Reuters

Minister satisfied over football derby

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated on Saturday that he was glad that the football derby in Belgrade went without incidents.

He assessed that the decision not to delay the game was the right one.

"Today's game was held under the pressure of major security risks and recent hooliganism in Belgrade and Genoa. Therefore, I am very pleased that this important sporting event went by without any major incidents," Dačić stressed in a statement for Tanjug.

Dačić thanked the managements of the football clubs that participated in the organization of the event, the Football Association of Serbia and the fans, pointing out that no major incidents occurred and that only 34 persons were arrested for violating public order.

"I believe that our decision that the game should be held was the right one. The delay would mean the state's defeat against the problems that it faces," Dačić said.