Season 11/12 - August

UK: Police to get tough with football yobs - 01/08/2011

Source : Yeovilexpress.co.uk

POLICE have pledged to blow the whistle on football-related disorder as the new season dawns.

With the new football season about to kick-off on Saturday, police have warned they are not prepared to tolerate anti social behaviour or any form of football-related hooliganism this season.

The police have pledged to continue their policy of taking a tough line with those involved in football-related hooliganism by taking offenders to court and seeking football banning orders.

There are 57 hooligans who have football banning orders in the Avon and Somerset force area.

Force football officer Roger Thayer said last season saw a slight decrease in arrests in the force area and away games against a general national trend of increasing football-related offences.

Last season 94 were arrested, compared with 163 in 2009-2010 and 137 the previous year.

When courts impose football banning orders it prevents an offender’s attendance at any regulated football match for a period of between three and five years, if they are not subject to a custodial sentence.

For those who were imprisoned or subject to a suspended prison sentence, the banning order may extend to a period of between six and ten years. One person sentenced in Avon and Somerset to a seven month prison term, received a six-year football banning order.

Police are able to apply for post-conviction FBOs at all regulated grounds covered by the Football and Blue Square Leagues. In Avon and Somerset these are Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Yeovil Town, Bath City and Weston-super-Mare.

Yeovil Town has had an excellent record with regards hooliganism in recent years and the club has received many messages of praise from other clubs and police forces for the behaviour of its travelling supporters.

But Roger Thayer has warned: "The message from Avon and Somerset police is – enjoy your football but if your intention is to try to disrupt games or spoil the enjoyment for genuine fans, you are likely to end up with a football banning order."

More yob fans set to be banned from Scotland's football grounds under proposed shake-up - 01/08/2011

Source : Dailyrecord.co.uk

More yob fans would be banned from Scotland's football grounds under a shake-up proposed by experts.
A government-backed study is calling for special cops and prosecutors to be appointed to boost the number of football banning orders handed Number issued out each year.
And the report wants laws to ban hooligans extended to cover even junior matches.
It also urges sheriffs to mark cases as "football-related" to make it easier to ban repeat offenders from games.
The moves are part of a package of reforms being recommended by experts from the Scottish government's social research unit.
Their report - sent to ministers last week - found banning orders have been used far less frequently in Scotland than in England since they were introduced in 2006.
Only 101 have been issued by the courts, compared with more than 2500 down south.
101 Of the total in Scotland, 93 per cent were handed to fans of SPL sides. issued in since But in England 64 per cent of the orders have gone to fans of clubs outwith the Premiership.
Calling for a shake-up of the current system, the report said banning orders could be "highly effective".
Thugs who are hit with an order are banned from all league games and usually have to surrender their passport when matches are being played abroad to stop them travelling.
The bans usually last for 10 years and sheriffs can impose additional conditions, such as banning a thug from pubs near their club's ground.
The report said extra funding from the Home Office in England - not matched by Scottish ministers - had ensured that the orders were adopted more quickly in England.
FBOs England 2006 But even today only half of the orders applied for by Scottish police are granted by the courts, compared with 80 per cent in England.
The report follows a major crackdown on football-related sectarianism by First Minister Alex Salmond. Laws going through Holyrood would make sectarian behaviour at football matches a crime punishable by up to five years in jail.
The report on banning orders said further laws should be considered to extend banning orders to junior football matches, not covered at present.
In February, a junior match between Ayrshire rivals Auchinleck Talbot and Cumnock was abandoned after some of the 2000-strong crowd invaded the pitch and fought running battles.
Last night, a Scottish government spokesman said: "Football abuse, bigotry and hooliganism are disgraceful stains on our national sport and our country's reputation.
"No one should be subjected to intolerance, prejudice or violence in 21st century Scotland. To tackle such behaviour, the courts have the ability to apply football banning orders and figures show that the use of such orders in Scotland has increased."

UK: Crackdown means less derby tickets - 03/08/2011

Source : Shieldsgazette.com

HUNDREDS of Newcastle United fans will be locked out of the Stadium of Light for this month’s Wear-Tyne derby with Sunderland as the clubs look to avoid the ugly scenes which marred last season’s fixture.

The Magpies have confirmed that 2,640 seats will be available to travelling supporters for the eagerly-awaited Premier League clash on August 20 – compared with the 3,100 allocation they had last term.

The idea is to increase the segregation between both sets of supporters – but it means more than 400 fewer tickets will be available to Newcastle fans.

Last season’s fixture at the Stadium of Light on January 16, was marred by disorder, with 37 people arrested inside and outside of the stadium for offences which included being drunk and disorderly.

Ugly scenes erupted after the final whistle, with rival fans hurling seats at each other.

A 17-year-old Sunderland fan was arrested for running onto the pitch and pushing Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper as the match finished 1-1 after a last-gasp equaliser by Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan cancelled out Kevin Nolan’s opener.

A Sunderland AFC spokesman said: “Police officers and match stewards will be given additional room to manoeuvre at the forthcoming Wear-Tyne derby fixture at the Stadium of Light after the segregation area between home and away supporters was increased.

“Sunderland AFC has liaised with local authorities and has informed local rivals Newcastle United of the change as it carefully plans its safety and security operations inside the stadium during the fixture.”


Police escort Newcastle fans to the Stadium of light.

UK: Police appeal to fans ahead of 'derby' Community Shield clash at Wembley - 03/08/2011

Source : Manchester Evening News

Scotland Yard has warned trouble causers not to wreck Sunday's Wembley derby.

Premier League winners United take on FA Cup winners City at the famous stadium in the traditional curtain raiser to the football season.

Fears of a repeat of the trouble that marred the pair's meeting in the semi final have been raised.

Groups of fans clashed in and around the stadium before and after the clash, which City won 1-0. Police made 34 arrests but some criticised the force for a lack of segregation.

But officers from the Met say they have been working with their counterparts at Greater Manchester Police and at British Transport Police to ensure the match 'is a family event that passes off without incident'.

They are expected to provide a more visible presence this time and say they have 'a range of tactics in place' to deal with hooligans.

Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry, police commander for the event, said:

“This friendly match is a great way to kick off the football season and for fans and families to see some good football in a world famous venue. I would say to anyone who is coming along with the aim of causing trouble that we have a range of tactics in place to deal with these disruptions and I advise them to stay away and let the genuine fans enjoy the game.”

Both sides were allocated 27,500 tickets for the clash, which kicks off at 2.30pm.

United sold out their share earlier this week but some tickets remained in the City section priced at £20 and £25.

Stoke City: Travelling fans warned to stay on right side of the law - 04/08/2011

Source : Thisisstaffordshire.co.u

STOKE fans are being told to zip it when they stroll the highways and byways of Split before and after tonight's big match.

They can sing to their hearts' content during the game, but police are warning of a crackdown if they begin any chanting away from the Stadion Poljud.

"Ne pjevajte po ulicama Splita!" (do not sing on the streets of Split) screamed one of the headlines in Croatia's daily sports paper Sportske Novosti ahead of this evening's third qualifying round second leg tie in the Europa League.

Up to 1,000 Stokies heading to the game against Hajduk are being told in the article that local police will demonstrate zero tolerance for anyone misbehaving – and that fans should be afraid of them.

And misbehaving, it seems rather curiously, includes any singing or chanting outside the ground for fear, presumably, of upsetting local residents and inciting local fans.

Though why a few bars of a Tom Jones classic, with maybe just the one word diplomatically bleeped, would upset any Croatians over here is anyone's guess.

The newspaper article also says Stoke fans, like any other visiting supporters, will be coralled briefly in an underground bunker some 500 metres from the stadium before being escorted into the ground by police for their own protection.

Another headline, provoked by comments from Hajduk skipper Srdan Andric, bellows "Mozemo Proci Budemo Liigrali Muski" (we can beat them (Stoke) if we play like men).

Andric says Hajduk have to play better than when losing the first leg 1-0 at the Britannia seven days ago, while players and fans have to be patient tonight because "we are not going to win the game in 10 or 15 minutes."

Asked how Hajduk can beat Stoke, Andric appears to shrug his shoulders as he is quoted as saying: "I have to be honest, I still don't know."

He said Hajduk's infamously hostile fans – the Torcida – should hold no terrors for Stoke players well versed in the volatile atmosphere of stadiums in the English Premier League.

FC Zurich - Standard de Liège - 03/08/2011

Source : Worldradio.ch + Forum

Police detain 32 Zurich football hooligans

An estimated 32 alleged Zurich football hooligans were detained by police on Wednesday evening before the kickoff of a match in the city.

Police called the action a preventive measure to avoid trouble in the game between Zurich FC and Standard de Liege.

Officers separated 1,600 Belgian fans from Zurich supporters to avoid scuffles.

One belgian supporter was also arrested for setting off a firework and carrying a weapon.

The 32 Zurich fans were released after the game.

IFK Göteborg - AIK Stockholm - 04/08/2011

Source : http://www.expressen.tv

The night before the game, 160 AIK lads, dressed in black, have attacked their rivals.




VIDEO:

http://tv.expressen.se/nyheter/inrikes/1.2518314/folk-lag-ner-och-blev-sparkade-mitt-pa-avenyn

Source : Sydsvenskan.se

After a massive brawl which occured the night before the game, opposing 220 hooligans (70 locals who confront 150 AIK rivals), including some in their forties and with one man who was hospitalized and two others arrested, police was on duty the day of the game, with the aim to avoid any toe-to-toe between both sides.
On their way to the stadium, IFK supporters threw bottles in direction of policemen.
After the game, a fight occured at central train station but police intervened.
Both sides tried to fight each other all the journey said police.
Eleven AIK supporters were wounded.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Bans on football fans who trashed Leeds city centre venue - 06/08/2011

Source : Yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

A FOOTBALL yob who smashed up a Leeds bar with seven others known as the “York Nomads” has been banned from professional football matches for three years.

Ben Morrison, 26, from Bishopthorpe, York, who received the football banning order at Leeds Crown Court, was among the gang who wrecked Spencers bar on Mill Hill after they stopped off in Leeds while returning from seeing York in an FA Cup tie against Rotherham last year.

Similar banning orders totalling 23 years have already been imposed on the other members of the gang – five from York and two from the Selby and Goole areas – along with courts costs of £3,500.

The gang walked into the bar – popular with Leeds fans – and began throwing bottles, tables and chairs, even though there were no rival supporters present.

Under the orders, the eight are not allowed within half-a-mile of York City’s stadium for three hours before kick-off and three hours after the game.

Within the same period, they are prohibited from being inside the city walls and within 200 metres of York train station.

They are also required to sign in at a specified police station whenever the England national team play a fixture abroad.

Their prosecution was a result of a joint investigation by the West, North and South Yorkshire police forces. CCTV footage showed the group had been involved in a series of incidents throughout the day.

In the past year, the West Yorkshire Police football banning unit has secured orders against 20 Leeds United and seven Bradford City fans.

Chief Supt Mark Milsom said: “The vast majority of people attending matches are true supporters who want nothing more than to enjoy themselves by cheering their team. It is important we act to put a stop to any crime or antisocial behaviour, not just because of the impact it has on other supporters but also because of the wider impact on our clubs.

“Anyone who becomes involved in crime, antisocial behaviour or disorder connected to matches in West Yorkshire can expect a Football Banning Order.”

Chief Insp Dave Hannan, of York Safer Neighbourhood Command, said: “North Yorkshire Police take the issue of disorder at football matches very seriously.

“These people are not football fans and merely use matches as an excuse to cause trouble.”

NK Maribor - Maccabi Haifa - 03/08/2011

Source : Mail + Viole Maribor website + http://24ur.com + http://www.dnevnik.si

Maribor fans invaded the pitch.

Ban for Darlington versus Newcastle pitch invader - 05/08/2011

Source : BBC News

A teenager has been banned from matches after running on to the pitch during a pre-season friendly game in Darlington.

The youth invaded the pitch, along with dozens of others, when Newcastle went 2-0 up against Darlington on 15 July.

Appearing before Darlington Youth Court he admitted entering a playing field during a football match.

He was banned from matches for three years and fined £85. Two men were given banning orders last month for invading the pitch at the same match.

Durham Police said more than 9,700 fans were at the game.

Eintracht Braunschweig - Bayern München - Cup - 01/08/2011

Source : Bild.de

Braunschweig supporters invaded the pitch before the game so local security intervened.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Partizan Beograd - RC Genk - 03/08/2011

Source : hbvl.be

«Hell in Beograd»

150 belgian supporters from Genk who came to support their team were under tension inside and outside the stadium.
1000 policemen were present for this game and to avoid any problem with local Grobari who threw bricks in direction of Belgians.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

SC Bregenz - Austria Lustenau - Austrian cup - 06/08/2011

Source : orf.at

Severe brawl followed the defeat of SC Bregenz (0-2), where 2 people were wounded.
About thirty masked hooligans, with some who came from Germany and Switzerland have attacked the 200 Lustenau supporters who made the trip.
Two of them were injured at their face with bottles.
Police intervened to separate both sides and escorted away fans back to their busses.
Some troubles also erupted inside the stadium when Bregenz supporters threw detonators in the pitch.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Hellas Karan - Wacker Innsbruck - Austrian cup - 06/08/2011

Source : tivoli12.at

Troubles occured during the game which was stopped for several minutes.
It continued after the game, where police used pepper sprays.
Some people were arrested.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Poland: Slask Wroclaw - LKS Lodz - 07/08/2011

Source : polish fanzine

450 Lodz supporters were arrested by police because they have travelled by train without tickets.
40 others from Lodz were attacked by local hooligans and were defeated.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Reading FC - Millwall FC - 06/08/2011

Source : Getreading.co.uk

Seven football fans arrested at Reading station

Seven football fans were arrested at Reading railway station following the first match of the season on Saturday.

The five visiting Millwall supporters and two Leeds fans, who were en route home, were involved in three different altercations in the early evening.

Millwall had earlier drawn with Reading at Madejski Stadium and Leeds had lost to Southampton.

Inspector Chris Maddox, of Reading's British Transport Police, said: "Following three separate incidents, BTP officers, supported by colleagues from Thames Valley Police, arrested seven men at Reading railway station following Reading and Millwall's Npower Championship match on Saturday, August 6.

"The vast majority of supporters travelling through Reading station on Saturday were well behaved, law abiding and in good spirit, however, as is often found, a small minority seemed intent on causing trouble."

One incident took place on platform four at Reading station, another began outside the Three Guineas pub at the station and another on platform five.

Hibernians FC - Sunderland AFC - Friendly game - 06/08/2011

Source : Edinburgh Evening News

Fights follow Hibs match

VIOLENCE flared between rival football fans as Hibs took on Sunderland in a friendly at Easter Road on Saturday.
Eight people were arrested as skirmishes broke out before and after the game, which ended 0-0.

One eyewitness reported "running battles" around the ground.

Police say most of the disturbances were centred on a stretch between London Road and Bothwell Street.

It has been claimed yobs clashed to settle old scores after fighting erupted between fans at a game in 2003. One Sunderland fan said: "Easter Road was a nightmare after the match. Running battles were going on all over the place."

UK: Jailed football fan Garry Mann criticises extradition - 12/08/2011

Source : BBC News

An England football fan who was jailed in Portugal for his role in a riot during Euro 2004 is calling for reform of the European Arrest Warrant system.

Former firefighter Garry Mann was extradited in 2010 to serve his term in Portugal but was moved to the UK this year to finish his jail sentence.

He was released from Wandsworth Prison on Wednesday.

Mann, from Kent, always denied being involved in the fight and claims he did not receive a fair trial in Albufeira.

He said the system did not give him a chance to prove his innocence.
'Convicted within hours'

The Birmingham City fan said: "I just don't believe that this European Arrest Warrant is fair.

"You're not entitled, when you get arrested in England like I did, to give any reasons for your innocence, or any proof of evidence."

The 53-year-old, from Faversham, also said that in Portugal he was never allowed to give evidence and never had a translator in the court.

He said: "If you don't get the court process right, and then you get the arrest warrant when you're back in the country, and you're going 'look I want to prove my innocence'... you're not allowed to.

"How many more people are like me?"

Mann said he had more than 10 witnesses who said he was nowhere near the riot but they were not allowed to testify.

He and the organisation Fair Trials International want British judges to be allowed to overrule European Arrest Warrants.
'Travesty of justice'

Jago Russell, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said: "The European Arrest Warrant has turned this family's life upside down.

"Sadly, until it is reformed and we have better standards of justice in Europe others will suffer the same fate.

"We are delighted that Garry is finally able to return home but he should never have been extradited to Portugal following a trial which can only be described as a travesty of justice."

Mann, from Faversham, was drinking with friends in a bar in Albufeira when a riot involving football fans began in a nearby street.

The father of six was arrested, tried and convicted within 48 hours.

His legal team said he was only granted five minutes with a lawyer before his trial, could not understand the proceedings and did not know what charge he faced until after he was convicted.

Judges and police officers also expressed concerns that he did not get a fair hearing.

Derby County - Aston Villa - Friendly game - 03/08/2011

Source : Birminghammail.net

Appeal for information after Villa thugs smash up train

THIS was one of the shocking scenes of destruction after Aston Villa fans went on the rampage on a train after a friendly game ahead of the new season.

Tray tables were ripped from the backs of seats, seat coverings were damaged and lights were smashed.

The CrossCountry service was bringing supporters home after watching a pre-season friendly between their club and Derby County on August 3 when it was damaged.

Rail police took the details of fans in the carriage when the train arrived at Birmingham New Street and are now liaising the club to establish whether anyone identified as being involved in the incident was a season ticket holder.

The damage meant the train had to be taken out of service for 24 hours for repairs.

Pc Leighton Pulling said officers received reports of fans causing a disturbance on the service at 11.27pm.

He said the train manager walked through the service and saw “considerable damage” had been caused to carriage in which a number of Villa fans were travelling in.

But Pc Pulling said: “No-one was seen to cause the damage and no-one admitted to causing it.”

As the new Premier League season kicked off today, British Transport Police called for the public’s help to identify the louts.

“The actions of a minority risk spoiling things for other fans in the future,” Pc Pulling said.

“We believe the train was busy at the time and that these incidents took place in front of a number of other passengers, and law-abiding Villa fans, on board

CrossCountry managing director Andy Cooper said: “Due to the amount of damage suffered, the unit had to be taken out of traffic and the following day, scenes of crime officers visited the Central Rivers depot to dust for fingerprints and photograph the damage.

“Repairs were carried out within 24 hours, allowing the set to return to traffic.”

OGC Nice - Lyon - 06/08/2011

Source : Nice-Matin

Saturday night, at Le Ray stadium, two times, police forces were assaulted by hundred supporters outside the stadium.
They were pelted with cans and firecrackers by locals who waited away fans.
Police responded, using tear gas.
Four people were arrested.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Slovakia: Slovan Bratislava - Spartak Trnava - 07/08/2011

Source : http://sport.cas.sk

Trnava supporters, angry about the defeat of their team, threw seats and tried to enter Slovan terraces.
Local security intervened but troubles continued outside the stadium where both sets of fans fronted, separated by a fence and policemen.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Ukraine: Dynamo Kiev - Karpaty Lviv - 07/08/2011

Source : Mail

One plain-clothed policeman who tried to take off a banner to Lviv supporters was attacked by fans and lied on the floor.
He was hospitalized.

Albania - Monténégro - Friendly game - 10/08/2011

Source : Vijesti.me (thanks to the sender)

Before the game local supporters threw missiles at the Montenegro supporters' bus.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

France: AE Guingamp - FC Metz - 12/08/2011

Source : Mail (thanks to the sender)

EAG mob (+- 20 Krapules + some Rennes friends) attacked Horda (+/- 20) on the carpark after the game.
Some minutes of fights and charges.
No one won when police arrived.
EAG without weapons and Horda with sticks.

One BFS (?) banner was stolen.

Spain: Racing Ferrol - Deportivo La Coruna - Frienldy game - ??/08/2011

Source: http://www.voltaaria.com + mail (photo)

Several Deportivo supporters travelled with Hercules Alicante friends and set fire to local shirts and they also caused damages to toilets before stealing material to local supporters.
They also tried to set fire to the supporters' home.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Depor mob