Season 11/12 - April

Barcelona - Chelsea FC - 24/04/2012

Source : http://www.goal.com

Just before kick-off, fight erupted around the stadium. Police intervened. One fan was injured.

Italy: Genoa ordered to play behind closed doors - 23/04/2012

Source : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Genoa will have to play their next two home games behind closed doors after players bowed to the demands of rioting fans who halted play and ordered them to take off their shirts as the Serie A team lost 4-1 at home to Siena on Sunday.

"Madness in Genoa", was Monday's headline in sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, while all newspapers carried articles on the "shame" of Genoa for letting their hardcore "ultras" fans dictate terms to the players.
"These things must end quickly, putting up with this causes too much damage to Italian soccer," said Paris St Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti, formerly at Chelsea, AC Milan and Juventus.
The referee stopped play as smoke bombs and firecrackers were hurled onto the pitch by a small contingent of Genoa's fans, some of whom then climbed over the perspex barriers separating them from the field.
The supporters, some of them hooded, demanded the players remove their shirts after chanting they were not worthy of wearing them.
While Siena retired to their dressing room, most Genoa players handed their shirts to captain Marco Rossi although striker Giuseppe Sculli refused and tried to negotiate with the supporters.
Serie A announced the two-game ban on fans in a statement. Genoa also face upheaval on the field after colourful owner Enrico Preziosi, supposedly banned from football for previous misdemeanours, said in a radio interview that he was sacking coach Alberto Malesani and replacing him with Luigi De Canio.
Malesani was only reappointed at the start of this month having been previously sacked in December.
Genoa, who had hoped to mount a challenge for the Europa League spots at least this term, are 17th in Serie A only one position and one point clear of Lecce in the relegation zone with five games left.
Former Queens Park Rangers boss De Canio has a tough baptism on Wednesday with Genoa travelling to champions Milan, who are desperate for the win after slipping three points behind Juventus in the race for the Serie A title.
Sunday's scenes were reminiscent of a European Championship qualifier between Italy and Serbia at the same stadium in 2010 when visiting fans rioted and caused the match to be abandoned.
"I thought I was dreaming," said former Milan and Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini, now vice president of Italy's soccer federation. "You only have to compare us with abroad to see that we have trouble managing our fans and our stadiums."
The episode is the latest blow to Italian soccer, which is already reeling from a new match-fixing scandal currently centred on Serie B team Bari but which threatens to escalate as prosecutors continue their investigations.
La Stampa daily said Italian soccer was made a laughing stock by "the photo of a bemused Marco Rossi transformed from captain to laundry boy" as he handed over his team mates' shirts to the fans.
Under the headline "The shame and the cowardice" La Repubblica said Italian stadiums were "places where the law cannot enter and where the strongest have the power to take away everyone's dignity".
While the shirt-removal incident in Genoa was unprecedented, Italian soccer is not new to episodes of "fan power" from its notorious but influential "ultra" supporters.
The 2004 Rome derby between AS Roma and Lazio was abandoned after fans invaded the pitch due to a rumour, which turned out to be false, that a supporter had been run over by a police vehicle. On that occasion Roma captain Francesco Totti famously negotiated with representatives of the team's "ultras".
Other problems with hooligans contributed to Italy failing in its bid to host Euro 2016 while the country's crumbling stadiums were also a factor.
The president of Italy's soccer league Maurizio Beretta called for the police to take a hard line against the ultras and Interior Minister Anna Maria Cancellieri said those responsible for the incident had already been identified.

Sporting CP - SL Benfica - 09/04/2012

Source : Mail

Scotland: Four men arrested over violent clashes before SPL football match - 27/04/2012

Source : http://local.stv.tv

Aberdeen FC and Rangers fans clashed close to Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow before a game in January.

Four men have been arrested in Aberdeen over violent clashes between fans before an SPL match.

The men, aged 23, 28, 42, and 26 were arrested during raids on properties in the city at around 6am on Friday morning.

The joint operation by Grampian Police and Strathclyde Police follows large-scale disturbances between fans outside Ibrox underground station in Glasgow on January 21.

The violence came before the Aberdeen and Rangers match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

It is understood that the men have been released from custody and are due to appear at court in the near future.

Eight men, six in Aberdeen and two in Fife, were arrested last month over the same incident.

Five Swansea City fans given banning orders over violent incidents - 27/04/2012

Source : http://www.walesonline.co.uk

Five men have been banned from football matches for three years for their involvement in incidents at Swansea City games.

Rhodri Boosey, Mark Morgan, Matthew Mackinnon, all aged 20, along with Sean Aspland, 23, and 18-year-old Daniel Martoni were given the banning order after it was ruled they caused or contributed to violence and disorder at a number of Swansea City football matches.

The orders were handed out in a civil hearing at Swansea Magistrates' Court, despite never having been arrested or convicted of football-related violence.

They will be banned from all football matches, and from any town or city where either Swansea or Wales are playing away.

Superintendent Phil Davies, of Swansea Central Police Station, said: “South Wales Police can, and will, continue to pursue civil banning orders against those who are frequently and actively engaged in incidents of disorder at football events regardless of whether they have been arrested or convicted.”

“I’m sure that every Swansea City fan will agree that on the field results this season have been exceptional and going forward nobody will want to miss out on the continued success of the team and therefore these cases should once again be seen as a deterrent to anyone thinking of getting involved in either organised or spontaneous disorder.”

"As we approach the end of the clubs first season in the premiership the feedback we have had from football clubs and other forces around the country regarding the behaviour of the Swansea fans so far this season has been extremely positive.”

“This is testament to our belief that the overwhelming majority of Swansea City fans continue to be well-behaved and passionate about their team.”

“However we will continue to work with the club to further reduce incidents of disorder and ensure that necessary action is taken against the minority who are intent on causing trouble, thereby affording protection to the vast majority whose only wish is to enjoy a game of football.”

Italy: Police probe 12 ultras for Genoa-Siena violence- 27/04/2012

Source : AFP

Italian police are investigating a dozen Genoa fans after a spate of match violence which will see the relegation-threatened Serie A side play two of their remaining four league games in an empty stadium.
Around 300 supporters were involved in the fracas at the Luigi Ferraris de Marassi stadium, forcing the intervention of police and security officials and prompting the decision to delay the match until order was restored.
Police later used security images to identify the main culprits, some of whom, according to Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello sport, are leaders of hardcore 'Ultras' groups.
Around a dozen of the supporters are set to be charged with football-related violence following Genoa's 4-1 home defeat on Sunday.
The violence kicked off while Genoa were trailing 4-0. Around 300 fans left the north stand behind the Genoa goal for a neighbouring stand and began hurling abuse at players and throwing missiles and flares on to the pitch.
The incidents forced a 45-minute interruption and produced scenes which caused an uproar in Italy.
Earlier this week public prosecutors in Genoa confirmed that 11 supporters had been issued with five-year stadium bans, none of which related to the 12 fans currently being investigated.
Genoa have also been ordered by Italian league bosses to play their next two matches behind closed doors, meaning they will play in empty stadiums against Cagliari on May 2 and Palermo for their final match of the season on May 13.
The measure could ultimately hamper their bid to beat the drop. Genoa are 17th, only one point ahead of Lecce, who sit third from last in 18th.
Genoa's defeat also cost coach Alberto Malesani his job. He is set to be replaced Monday by Luigi De Canio, who will be the club's fourth coach of the season.

Scotland: 7,000 Rangers fans in SFA protest - 27/04/2012

Source : http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk

Around 7,000 Rangers fans have marched to Hampden in a demonstration against sanctions imposed on the club by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

A judicial panel set up by the football governing body imposed a 12-month transfer embargo and a £160,000 fine on the Ibrox club after it was found guilty of five charges in relation to their finances and the appointment of Craig Whyte as chairman.

Fans were left incensed at the transfer ban and manager Ally McCoist said the embargo could "kill" the club.

Supporters marched from Queens Park to Hampden, where they handed in a letter to SFA offices complaining about the outcome of the SFA tribunal.

Former Rangers player Sandy Jardine also made a short speech at Hampden.

Andy Kerr, president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, said fans hoped the demonstration sent out a strong message.

He said: "There was a collective will for everybody to work together. Sandy Jardine made a short speech to thank everybody and reinforce the view that it is a difficult period for the club but that we all need to stick together. It is a message to Scottish football that we still have an active part to play."

Strathclyde Police said the march passed off peacefully.

Chief Superintendent Andy Bates said: "There were no arrests at today's protest and I'm delighted at the way that the supporters conducted themselves."

An SFA spokesman said: "We are now in receipt of the letter signed on behalf of the Rangers support and are grateful that today's event passed peacefully. We appreciate the frustrations of the Rangers support during this period of uncertainty and today's march showed the depth of feeling towards the club. The SFA exists to govern with the best interests of the game at all times and will continue to do so throughout this challenging time for the Scottish game."

Argentina: San Martín San Juan - Godoy Cruz - 28/04/2012

Source : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/ + http://www.mdzol.com

Teenage fan could lose eye after fighting at Argentine match

A teenager is in danger of losing an eye, three other people were hurt and 36 arrested after fighting between rival fans and police at an Argentine first division match on Saturday
Fighting broke out between visiting fans and police during Godoy Cruz's 1-0 defeat at San Martin and after the final whistle home supporters weighted in attacking the visiting team's bus with players and club officials aboard.
That sparked a response by about 100 police officers firing rubber bullets with the fans throwing stones in reply, local media reported.
A police station in the western city of San Juan confirmed 36 arrests and four people taken to hospital including a 17-year-old who could lose an eye.
There is a strong rivalry between Godoy Cruz from Mendoza and San Martin from San Juan, neighbouring provinces in the western Andean region.

Zenit St-Petersburg - Dinamo Moscow - 28/04/2012

Source : http://en.ria.ru + http://www.rusnovosti.ru + http://www.neva24.ru

Reveling Zenit Fans Clash With Police in St.Petersburg

Special purpose police in St. Petersburg had to use force against fans of Zenit St. Petersburg who were celebrating after the club clinched their second-straight Russian Premier League champion title on Saturday.
A hard-fought 2-1 win over Dynamo Moscow gave Zenit an unassailable 15-point lead with three games remaining, a victory they achieved despite playing most of the second half with ten men. It is Zenit's second-straight title and third since 2007.
Russia’s second largest city was celebrating the victory on Saturday night. After the game, thousands of fans came to the city center with team flags, chanting and greeting each other. The Palace Square and the Nevsky Prospekt were most crowded, and many fans say they would stay there until morning.
“A group of fans under the influence of alcohol headed to the city center and clashed with a special purpose police unit at the Nevsky Prospekt,” an R-sport correspondent reported. “The fans provoked the police by smashing bottles near them. Police, in their turn, started beating the fans with batons.”
City police arrested about 20 people for various offenses after Saturday’s match, but said there were no serious public order violations during the game itself.

England: Football banning order flouted by Sunderland yob - 27/04/2012

Source : http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk

A SOCCER lout involved in a city centre brawl has admitted flouting a football banning order.

Joseph Hatton, 40, travelled to Newcastle on a designated derby day Metro service on March 4.

But he had already been told not to come within five miles of any stadium on a match day for his part in earlier football-related violence.

A brutal track-side clash erupted in August 2009 when Sunderland supporters, Hatton among them, returned from a pre-season friendly in Scotland, only to find a crowd of disorderly Toon fans lying in wait.

Police tried to keep the rival thugs apart at Newcastle’s Central Station, but the scene descended into booze-fuelled chaos that spilled on to the streets.

One man lost four pints of blood as he lay unconscious on the platform and several police dogs were injured.

Hatton, who was forced to surrender his passport to police during the 2006 World Cup, was charged with violent disorder. He was eventually given a five-year football banning order.

But Newcastle magistrates heard how a sharp-eyed officer arrestedthe asbestos remover as he tried to leave the derby day Metro. He was taken to Etal Lane police station. After first denying the offence at a hearing the day after his arrest, Hatton, of Westburn Terrace, Sunderland, changed his plea to guilty last week and was fined £115.

A CPS spokesman said: “Our policy is to prosecute offenders involved in violence linked with football matches.

“Banning orders will be sought to keep such offenders away from football grounds to ensure members of the public who live and work nearby are able to carry on their lives and businesses free from this kind of crime.

“Those found to breach the terms of an order will be dealt with robustly and, where appropriate, further banning orders sought.”

Trouble still hit last month’s match at St James’ Park, which ended in a 1-1 draw, when Sunderland fans were blamed for trashing two Metro trains.

Footie thugs hellbent on attacking English - 17/04/2012

Source : http://www.dailystar.co.uk

ENGLAND fans will face gangs of neo-Nazi soccer thugs at Euro 2012 hellbent on “taking them on”.

Hardcore mobs of far right Polish and Russian hooligans have singled them out for attention.

A seminar on football hooliganism heard that even innocent fans travelling to Poland and the Ukraine in June should expect trouble because of past violence.

Professor Craig Jackson, head of psychology at Birmingham City University, warned: “The idea is that a lot of Polish fans and Russian fans have already been saying that they will ‘take on the English’. Even if the English fans don’t go looking for trouble it will find them.”

TV journalist Donal MacIntyre, 46, who infiltrated Chelsea’s notorious Headhunters mob during the late 1990s, told the seminar: “There are big hooligan problems in the Ukraine and Poland. They are a real interesting throwback to the 1970s.

“Undoubtedly some mainstay guys will get out there and what happens is that ordinary guys will get sucked in through a combination of bravado, alcohol and sunshine.”

Bulgaria: Levski Sofia - CSKA Sofia - 29/04/2012

Source : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Levski beat leaders CSKA, 17 fans arrested over violence

Levski Sofia beat bitter city rivals CSKA 1-0 at home to end the leaders' nine-match winning streak in the Bulgarian league as police arrested 17 fans following violence at Sunday's derby.
Unmarked Portuguese midfielder Cristovao Ramos scored the winner five minutes after the break when he gave CSKA's Algeria keeper Rais M'Bolhi no chance with a precise shot from close range.
"Levski didn't outplay us in any department," CSKA coach Stoycho Mladenov told reporters. "God helped them today and that's why they won, they're very, very lucky.
"And I don't want this referee (Nikolay Yordanov) to officiate CSKA games anymore... I knew he'd create problems."
CSKA, searching for their 32nd league title, top the standings with 63 points from 26 matches followed by surprise packages Ludogorets on 58. Levski moved up to fourth on 53 points.
The heavily-policed "Eternal derby", as matches between the two most popular clubs in the Balkan country are known, has often been bad tempered with hooliganism rife.
Some 1,000 police officers were on duty to prevent public order offences before, during and after the match at the Vasil Levski national stadium.


Levski lads

Celtic - Glasgow Rangers - 29/04/2012

Source : http://news.stv.tv

17 football fans arrested during final Glasgow derby game of season
Strathclyde Police confirm supporters were held for a range of alleged offences.

Strathclyde Police said people were arrested for various alleged offences during the match on Sunday.

The total number of arrests is the exactly the same as made during the last meeting between the sides at Ibrox last month, which saw Rangers win 3-2.

A police spokeswoman said: "Seventeen arrests were made in and around the stadium at the final Old Firm match of the season, including offences of alleged breach of the peace and alleged drunk and disorderly behaviour."

The game at Celtic Park was a sell out with around 60,000 packing the stadium.

Celtic won the match 3-0 while Neil Lennon's side had already won this season’s SPL championship.

England: Football hooligan banned from Rams matches - 24/04/2012

Source : http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk

A FOOTBALL hooligan who has caused trouble at Derby County games for years has been banned by a court from going to matches.

Derbyshire police produced a dossier of evidence against Anthony Parris which catalogued his involvement in disorder at Rams matches over the past three years.

In it he was identified as part of a larger group of known hooligans who fought with rival supporters and caused trouble for the police.

Parris, of Harrison Street, Derby, accepted he had been involved in the public disorder and magistrates imposed a civil banning order on him at a hearing in Derby.

PC Rob Beeston, the force's football intelligence officer, said that the 51-year-old had also previously served a football banning order between 2006 and 2009.

PC Beeston said: "We are delighted that this order was served on Mr Parris and we believe this sends out a clear message that football-related disorder will not be tolerated at any games in which Derby County are playing.

"We are determined to deal with anyone involved in this type of trouble as quickly as possible so that the supporters of Derby County, the vast majority of whom are good-natured and cause no problem at all at games, can enjoy watching their team."

PC Beeston said that a civil banning order differs from a football banning order.

The latter is imposed at a magistrates' court when a person has been arrested for a specific football disorder related incident, such as a fight with a rival hooligan.

He said a civil banning order was brought about when the police have identified a hooligan as being involved in a number of separate incidents over a period of time – in this case three years.

The order against Parris stops him from going anywhere near Pride Park on match day and from travelling to away matches.

It also means he is not allowed to watch England games and must surrender his passport to the police when the national team play abroad.

Superintendent Gary Parkin is in charge of policing in Derby and acts as the match commander at Rams matches held at Pride Park.

He said: "It is disappointing that someone who has previously been the subject of a football banning order continues to be involved in incidents of disorder at or near football matches.

"That said, this latest order shows that we continue to closely monitor the behaviour of football risk supporters and will endeavour to ensure that supporting Derby County at Pride Park, or elsewhere, is safe and enjoyable.

"Football banning orders have been a successful tool to control the behaviour of supporters hell-bent on causing trouble.

"We will work closely with Derby County Football Club to deal with the minority for the good of the majority, who just want to enjoy watching football in a safe environment."

German football hooligans charged - 24/04/2012

Source : http://www.skynews.com.au

Two German football hooligans were facing charges after breaking the nose of a rival Bundesliga team's player as he left a nightclub.

Bayern Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec was hospitalized in the early hours of Sunday after being attacked by the men, who identified themselves as fans of FC Cologne before punching him in the face.

The 27-year-old will undergo surgery Monday and was likely to have to play with a face mask in future games, KSTA reported.

Kadlec, a Czech Republic international, was attacked after partying with teammates in Cologne following Saturday's 1-0 league win over Hoffenheim.

He said he left the Ivory nightclub around midnight before being spotted by the FC Cologne fans on the street.

Kadlec said the men insulted him before hitting him in the face, leaving him bleeding profusely. Doctors later confirmed that his nose was broken.

The two men, who were known to authorities for past football violence, were tracked down by cops and arrested, KSTA said.

Manchester City - Manchester United - 30/04/2012

Source : http://menmedia.co.uk

Police arrest 31 as City fans celebrate Manchester derby win over United



Off the pitch, police made 31 arrests as football fans packed into the bars ahead of kick-off, mostly for public order offences and drunkenness. The Manchester City shop on Market Street was damaged shortly after the final whistle. A man was arrested in connection with the incident.

RKC Waalwijk - FC Utrecht‎ - 21/04/2012

Source : http://www.rtvutrecht.nl

Before and after the game, Waalwijk hooligans tried to confront Utrecht supporters. Several fights took place.
Now police will use CCTV to identify troublemakers.
Translation Underground Fans ©

Germany: Arminia Bielefeld - Carl Zeiss Jena - 21/04/2012

Source : http://www.nw-news.de

On their way back from a game played in Bielefeld, hundreds of Jena supporters provoked troubles at the Hoxter-Ottbergen train station.
Six police patrols intervened with dog-handlers to calm them down.
They used pepper sprays against troublemakers so then the train restarted its way to Jena one hour after the beginning of these troubles.
Already before the game policemen used pepper sprays against away fans.
Translation Underground Fans ©

Argentina: Banfield - San Lorenzo - 22/04/2012

Source : http://es-us.deportes.yahoo.com
Shortly before kick-off, near the stadiums, Banfield supporters have attacked the busses of San Lorenzo ones.
At least one window was smashed up.
Everything remained calm when police arrived.
Translation Underground Fans ©

Argentina: Crucero del Norte - Talleres de Córdoba - 22/04/2012

Source : http://vamolopibe.wordpress.com

During the game, the Talleres coach, Arnaldo Sialle, was wounded by a rock threw from the stands.
Angry about this fact, Cordoba supporters tried to force fences to confront local supporters so police and firemen intervened.
The game was stopped for 20 minutes.
Translation Underground Fans ©

Ukraine: FC Arsenal Kiev - FC Karpaty Lviv - 22/04/2012

Source : Mail

A fight erupted near the Kiev train station, opposing 40 to 50 locals to a fifty-handed mob from Lviv, joined by ten Dinamo Kiev lads.
Lviv hools won the fight.

Chile: Universidad Católica - La Serena - 22/04/2012

Source : local press

Police violence in San Carlos de Apoquindo

After Universidad won 3-0, police did not hesitate to charge local fans, including women and children. They used their truncheons and a water canon.
Another time, police did not react as normal.
48 people were arrested.
Translation Underground Fans ©

France: Paris FC - US Orléans - 22/04/2012

Source : Mail (thanks to the sender)

Five minutes before the game 19 PFC opposed 12 Orléans lads.
After 30 seconds of punches, locals have stolen the Drougis flag.

Alemannia Aachen - Eintracht Frankfurt - 23/04/2012

Source : http://www.aachener-zeitung.de + http://www.abendblatt.de

At the end of the game the 1.200 Frankfurt supporters invaded the pitch, throwing missiles and causing damages (75.000 €).
Police and stewards took place to contain supporters and to avoid a fight with locals.
Policemen used pepper sprays and pushed them back outside the stadium where severe clashed erupted, opposing rival fans.
About 40 people were slightly wounded and 3 supporters were arrested.
Translation Underground Fans ©

Argentina: One Mitre fan slashed - 23/04/2012

Source : http://www.elliberal.com.ar

Due to the fight which opposed two rival mobs from Mitre and Central Cordoba, Juan Manuel Acosta, 21 year old, was slashed and was transferred to the hospital.
The police have arrested the man who slashed him.
Translation Underground Fans ©