Season 12/13 - February

The Netherlands/Belgium - Free fight - 22/02/2013

Source : http://www.hardcorehooligans.Nl

Free fight 10 vs 10 (youth)

Sittard vs Standard Liège

*******************************

Source : Mail

Fair Free Fight : -20 years

Standard Liege vs Sittard

10vs10

First round 2-3 min
winner : sittard

second round -1 min
winner : standard

Standard


Sittard

The Netherlands - Free fight - 22/02/2013

Source : http://www.hardcorehooligans.Nl

MVV view:

A fair fight was planned Friday night between two mobs of 20 youth from MVV Maastricht and Vitesse Arnhem.
When MVV mob arrived at the agreed place, we were attacked by a larger and older mob who thrown beer bottles in our vehicles.
A fight broke out between both mobs.


Vitesse view:

Only 20 youth on Arnhem side. No weapons, only fists for a fair fight.
Vehicles? You were outside when it happened.
Respect to MVV lads.

England : Another three football fans arrested - 23/02/2013

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

Three more men have been arrested following crowd trouble during Oxford United’s game against Bristol Rovers on February 9.

A 47-year-old from Marston, a 40-year-old from Wantage and a 39-year-old from Witney are being held on suspicion of committing public order offences.

Three other men, one from Bristol and two from Oxford, who were arrested at the match, have been released on police bail.

England : Fans arrested for racism at West Ham match - 23/02/2013

Source : http://eurosport.com

Seven men have been charged in connection with football racism following a match at West Ham.

The news comes just after West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan released a statement urging the club's fans to avoid using any discriminatory chants when they welcome Tottenham to Upton Park on Monday night.

A small minority of West Ham's travelling support were criticised in the aftermath of the Hammers' 3-1 defeat at Spurs in November for anti-Semitic chanting.

The club's owners issued a statement that read: "We both feel it is hugely important that we are continuing our great work from 2012 that highlights discrimination in society today. We supported a number of key initiatives last year which we are continuing to build on throughout 2013.

"We firmly believe that West Ham United is a club that promotes fairness and inclusion and we want the Boleyn Ground to continue to be a place that people from all backgrounds feel welcome."

Co-owner Gold is of Jewish heritage and his joint statement stressed that any fans found guilty of partaking in such chanting would face strict punishments.

"We have made it very clear that we will not tolerate any form of discriminatory behaviour and one by one we will root out those fans that do not deserve to represent this great club of ours," the statement continued. "We must be clear that we will pursue the harshest sanctions against any individual who goes against what we stand for as a club.

"It is obvious that the vast, vast majority of Hammers fans support the club in the right way and we are very grateful for the tremendous backing we receive from our supporters. However, in the rare case that supporters do see or hear anything they think is unacceptable, there are a number of ways they can report the matter.

"Everyone at West Ham United is looking forward to Monday's visit of Tottenham Hotspur. It should be a fantastic game of football."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce also remains hopeful the club's fans will behave themselves on Monday. "I hope there's nothing untoward that happens in terms of chanting," he said.

"Like everybody else we want to try to reduce it to its bare minimum. We'd like to cut it out completely but I don't think that's ever going to be the case when people get involved in emotional situations. But if we spot it we've got to deal with it and hopefully there won't be any."

Marine FC - United of Manchester - 16/02/2013

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

Rival football hooligans target Marine FC fixture

RIVAL football fans have been blamed after troubled flared at Marine FC’s home match with FC United of Manchester.

Two men were arrested and police were forced to break up a number of fights following Saturday’s game which was attended by over 1,200 supporters.

Tensions between the two clubs have run high since a controversial match in 2009.

Following that clash, Marine player John Lawless had his contract terminated for allegedly making an aeroplane motion – felt by some to have been an insult referencing the 1958 Munich Air Disaster in which 23 people died – before taking a corner at the home end.

Ever since, fans from Manchester United and Liverpool FC have used the Unibond Premier League as a way to contest their bitter rivalry, with Saturday’s game the latest occasion to be blighted by hooliganism.

Both Marine FC and Merseyside Police have moved quickly to criticise the violence which occurred on a day when neither Premier League club were in action.

Chief Inspector Zoe Thornton from the Sefton police command team said: "The vast majority of the 1,200 people at the game behaved impeccably and were there simply to enjoy the football.

"Sadly, as can be the case at any large event, a small minority turned up intent on spoiling things for everyone.

"Police officers were on hand outside the ground to deal with any issues and we are aware that a small number of men were ejected from the home end by stewards. These people were closely watched by the police until they had left the area.

"After the match, my officers arrested two men to prevent a breach of the peace and successfully intervened in a small number of confrontations between fans close to the train station.

"No-one was seriously injured and the vast majority of fans were not involved in or got caught up in any trouble.

"The troublemakers are not believed to be genuine fans of either team and steps are being taken to identify them and ensure they do not attend this fixture again.”

The match, which ended in a 3-0 defeat for Marine, also witnessed a number of flares and a Chinese firecracker being let off.

Marine FC chairman Paul Leary said: “What was different from previous fixtures was there was no Premier League fixture for either Manchester United or Liverpool and as a result we were targeted by a small minority who were intent on causing trouble.

“It is a great shame as we work hard to encourage fans from other clubs to try out Marine FC by offering ticket deals.

“I jumped out of my seat when I heard the fireworks and it was very sad to see a number of young children upset and leave the ground.

“Marine are a family-focused club and the majority of fans there enjoyed the game without getting into any trouble.”

The two clubs, who are both competing for promotion, could meet again in the league play-offs.

Fenerbahce - Bate Borisov - 21/02/2013

Source : http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com

Fenerbahçe fans send flares into stadium despite UEFA ban

Fenerbahçe fans threw flares into their team’s stadium during yesterday's Europa League second-leg tie against Belarusian champion BATE Borisov even though the game was being played behind closed doors to a previous UEFA ban.

Five people were detained on suspicion of launching the flares into the ground. Fenerbahçe fans had gathered outside the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium in Kadıköy to support their team despite not being allowed to enter the stadium.

"Those who sent these flares must be idiots,” said UEFA observer Stefano Farina, adding that the incendiary devices resulted in the burning of the Turkish flag and a fine against the team.

San José (Bolivia) - Corinthians (Brazil) - Copa Libertadores - 20/02/2013

Source : http://www.ctpost.com

Corinthians to play without fans after boy's death

Brazilian club Corinthians will play without its fans for the next 60 days because of the death of a 14-year-old boy during its Copa Libertadores match this week.

South American soccer federation spokesman Nestor Benitez tells The Associated Press the sanction is temporary pending the result of the investigation by Bolivian authorities. Kevin Beltran Espada died with head injuries caused by a flare allegedly thrown from the Corinthians fan section.

Twelve Corinthians supporters remain detained in the Bolivian city of Oruro, where the match against San Jose was played Wednesday.

Corinthians, the defending champion, was expected to appeal. The team said nearly 80,000 tickets were already sold for the three home matches in the group stage.

The punishment is for Copa Libertadores matches.

************************************************

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

14 year-old fan killed by Corinthians supporters' firework

The Bolivian teenager's death has prompted much soul-searching in South America, as well as an outpouring of grief

South America is in mourning following the death of 14-year-old Kevin Beltrán Espada, who was killed on Wednesday during the Copa Libertadores match between San José and Corinthians in Oruro, Bolivia.

During the celebrations of Corinthians forward Paolo Guerrero’s opening goal five minutes into the first half, a flare was launched from the away support in the direction the adjacent opposition stand.

A projectile from the flare struck Kevin, a San José supporter from the nearby city of Cochabamba, in his right eye and caused his brain to haemorrhage. He died on his way to hospital.

Though news of the teenager’s death was confirmed before half-time, the match officials appeared to be oblivious to the situation and the game continued as normal, ending in a 1-1 draw.

The atmosphere in the post-match press conference was sombre and doleful. Corinthians head coach Tite said he would exchange his Club World Cup title for Kevin’s life, and Director of Football (and former Arsenal midfielder) Edu Gaspar was visibly overwrought with grief (see video below) when discussing the incident.



The news soon reached the media that local police had arrested twelve Corinthians fans in connection with the incident, and at the time of writing, all twelve remain in custody.

Two of the detained were arrested whilst in possession of flares identical to the one that struck Kevin, and gunpowder residue was reportedly found on the hands of both suspects. All twelve deny any involvement in the crime, and have refused to give information regarding the identity of the guilty individual.

The following day, an Oruro-based radio station released a video (below) which clearly shows the flare in question being launched towards the San José support.

The supporter who was seen to have released the flare is later seen to be hiding from the stadium police, seemingly with help from fellow Corinthians fans. It is not yet known if the individual shown on the video is among the twelve currently detained in Oruro.



Flares and other fireworks are forbidden inside Bolivian stadiums and banned by Fifa, however the Bolivian League claims they have difficulty completely preventing the entry of these items into stadiums.

It is also important to note that the flare that struck Kevin Beltrán was different to those usually seen in South American stadiums, which are much smaller and only emit smoke and intense light.

The object in question was a flare used by boats stranded at sea, which contains a projectile rocket that can reach a height of 300 metres when fired.

The Bolivian media have assured that, Bolivia being a landlocked country, this particular variety of firework cannot be bought in Bolivia, and must have been brought from Brazil with the Corinthians support, bringing border security into question.

On Thursday evening, Conmebol, South American football’s governing body, announced that Corinthians would be forced to play the remainder of their home matches in this year’s Copa Libertadores behind closed doors, and that opposing clubs would be forbidden to sell tickets to travelling Corinthians fans for away matches.

This was a surprisingly quick and severe decision by Conmebol’s standards, an organisation characterised by its incompetence and reluctance to deliver sanctions.

However, with the World Cup and Olympic Games coming to the continent over the next three years, Conmebol appear to be trying to improve their image with the creation of a new disciplinary committee.

A brand-new set of regulations for this year’s Copa Libertadores came as a surprise to most, and it included a list of possible punishments for clubs involved in acts of violence, from fines to expulsion from continental competition.

In situations such as this, the distinction between criminal punishment and sporting punishment is crucial. Whatever sanctions that are handed out must also be exemplar, to help prevent future tragedies and value the life of young Kevin.

The punishment handed to Sport Club Corinthians Paulista is just. The twelve detained supporters are all members of organised Corinthians supporters groups, known as organizadas, who operate thanks to underhand subsidies from the club and/or politicians within the club’s ranks.

Organizadas attend away matches on the club’s dollar, and thus Corinthians must assume a degree of responsibility for their actions.

Perhaps Corinthians can make the most of a tragic situation and use this opportunity to distance themselves from these organised gangs, whose hooligan elements have long been a plague on South American football.

At the same time, the fact San José have so far escaped sanctions is baffling. Unlike in Uefa, security at Copa Libertadores matches is the responsibility of the home club. San José failed to ensure a safe environment for the thousands of supporters in attendance at the Jesús Bermudez stadium.

Forbidden items were not confiscated, with many Corinthians fans claiming they weren’t searched upon entry to the ground. San José should be forced to play their remaining home matches behind closed doors, until guarantees can be made over fan security.

Equally important are the criminal penalties to be administered. The individual responsible for releasing the flare must answer for manslaughter, either culpable or negligible. Those detained in Oruro should also face charges of obstruction of justice, by refusing to reveal information as to the identity of the individual responsible.

This story is set to run for a long time, with Corinthians due to present their defence over the coming days. However, it is imperative that those involved don’t lose touch with what happened on Wednesday evening, a child’s death at a game of football. May his memory not be in vain.

In memory of Kevin Douglas Beltrán Espada (1999-2013)

Berwick - Glasgow Rangers - 23/02/2013

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

Two arrested over sectarian chanting at Berwick v Rangers match as broadcasters apologise

TWO people have been arrested after sectarian chanting at the game which led to ESPN apologising during coverage of the SFL match.


BROADCASTERS were forced to apologise to viewers yesterday after sectarian chanting from Rangers fans was heard on their live broadcast of the side’s clash with Berwick.

ESPN presenter Ray Stubbs was so taken aback by the offensive songs that he vowed to report the singing to police himself.

A number of sectarian songs could be clearly heard from the section of the ground housing travelling supporters at the Irn-Bru Third Division match.

Stubbs said: “We want to talk about the football but there has been some sectarian singing during the first half and we’re going to contact the police and the authorities here to find out what can be done, if anything, about that.”

Two people were arrested in connection with the singing but footage of fans will now be reviewed by Strathclyde Police.

Team manager Ally McCoist told fans at Shielfield Park they had let themselves and their club down.

He said: “Our fans have been fantastic home and away this season but when I came off the park I was told of some unsavoury ­chanting.

“The support has been fabulous but they’ve probably let themselves down today – they’ve let us all down. I’m hoping that it will be an isolated incident.

“We’ve all come a long way in recent years and we have to continue the good work that’s been done before.

“Like everything, you always have a few setbacks and sometimes you have to go a step back to go two forward again.”

He spoke after the club issued a hasty statement before the final whistle of the 3-1 victory condemning the behaviour.

The statement, published on the official Twitter feed, read: “The club is disappointed by certain outbursts of inappropriate singing by a section of the support at Berwick.

“Our fans have been excellent this season both home and away and we do not want to see this tarnished.”

Superintendent Tim Smith, of Northumberland Police, said: “By and large, the fans were very well behaved. But there was a short outburst of sectarian chanting towards the start of the game.

“We identified that and took video evidence of it. Two people have been arrested for that offence and they’re in custody.

“The video footage will be reviewed by officers from Strathclyde Police, which is normal.

“It’s a specific offence and we have to make sure we have the right evidence to proceed.

“We have never arrested anyone here previously for sectarian chanting. It’s a unique situation because Berwick are the only Scottish team in England.

“But that Scottish law was designed to be enactable outside of Scotland - not just in England but in Europe as well.”

France : Three Charged with 'Aggravated Violence' Following Football Attack - 24/02/2013

Source : http://www.israelnationalnews.com

Tottenham supporters were attacked in a Lyon bar on the eve of a Europa League game.

Three men have been charged with "aggravated violence" and remanded in custody after Tottenham Hotspur supporters were attacked in a Lyon bar on Wednesday evening before a Europa League game in the city.

Police are also investigating claims of violence "provoked by racial hatred," with reports that Nazi salutes were seen when Spurs supporters were attacked in the Smoking Dog pub, in Lyon's Old Town, on the eve of Thursday's match, AFP reported.

Seven people suffered minor injuries, and police are looking for several dozen people in connection with the attack, which was carried out by up to 50 masked men.

One of the three currently being held has connections with the extreme right, according to AFP.

The men are also accused of causing damage to the premises after chairs were thrown and stones and bricks hurled through the pub's windows.

The controversially nicknamed “Yid Army” similarly sparked controversy in November when sporting chants lead to accusations of racism and anti-Semitism and fans of the club, which has a traditionally strong Jewish following, were ambushed inside a pub in Rome on the eve of their Europa League game against Lazio.

The nickname, adopted in the middle of the 20th century when Tottenham was a predominantly Jewish London neighborhood, inspired fans from opposing teams to mock the “Yid Army” with hisses to simulate the sound of gas chambers used to exterminate Jews during the Holocaust.


Lyon thugs

France : Free fight - 16/02/2013

Source : Mail

Paris FC Vs Reims
10 Vs 10
Paris FC won

Borussia Mönchengladbach - Lazio - 14/02/2013

Source : Mail (Thx to the sender !)








Lazio mob

SCC Napoli - Viktoria Plzeň - 14/02/2013

Source : sport.blesk.cz

After the game, four Plzen supporters were attacked by knives by local chavs, close to the station.
One of them was slashed and transfered to the hospital.
Chavs disappeared after they took money to Plzen supporters.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Catania - Bologna FC - 17/02/2013

Source : www.ctzen.it

Some Catania supporters clashed between themsevles, exchaging kicks and punches and using belts.
After they watched CCTV, police have arrested five tifosi, from 23 to 28 years old.
They are all know by authorities for hooliganism and drugs dealing.
That is not the first time Catania ultras clash for taking power of the north stand.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Argentina : Brawl in the highway between River Plate and All Boys supporters - 17/02/2013

Source : http://tn.com.ar

River Plate and All Boys supporters clashed in the highway Buenos Aires-La Plate, near Quilmes.
They clashed in th roads.
Two supporters were arrested.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Viktoria Plzeň - SCC Napoli - 21/02/2013

Source : http://isport.blesk.cz

A fight broke out between some local fans and Napoli ones, near the Plzen stadium.
One Czech had his nose broken.

Another fight erupted later, provoked by Italians. One of them was arrested.
Police said 520 Napoli fans made the trip.

Translation Underground Fans (c)





Napoli lads

Chelsea FC - Sparta Praha - 22/02/2013

Source : isport.blesk.cz

One Sparta supporter invaded the pitch of Stanmford Brigde before being stopped by a local steward.
3.000 Prague supporters made the trip to London.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Switzerland : Red Ice - Ajoie - 22/02/2013

Source : http://www.20min.ch

One young man, Ajoie supporter, was wounded by a stone which was thrown.
Somebody who saw the scene said "Ajoie supporters came back to their terrace when they fronted a mob of 20 locals".

SC Freiburg - Eintracht Frankfurt - 22/02/2013

Source : http://www.spiegel.de

At the end of the game, a small firm of 9 Frankfurt supporters had attacked locals and they have stolen scarves.
They were arrested when they took their vehicle and took their road back.
The night before the game, some Frankfurt supporters caused troubles inside a discotheque in Nurnberg, with local ultras.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

1.FC Saarbrücken - Karlsruher SC - 22/02/2013

Source : local radio station

riots broke out in the city centre during the morning.
Police intervened to separate rival fans.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Portugal : Vitória SC Guimarães B - SC Braga B - 24/02/2013

Source : http://www.abola.pt

The game was suspended by the referee Hugo Pacheco after arch-rival supporters clashed inside the stadium, exchanging flares, firecrackers and seats.

Police, which was not present to that game, arrived 10 minutes later.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Argentina : Unión Santa Fe - Quilmes AC - 23/02/2013

Source : canchallena.lanacion.com.ar

The game was stopped only after 18 minutes of playing, when Quilmes won 2-0.
Supporters from both teams exchanged rocks and bottles.
A dozen of policemen were present between both sides and used rubber bullets.
At least five people were wounded.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Switzerland : FC Wohlen - AC Bellinzone - 23/02/2013

Source : http://www.lenouvelliste.ch

When they went out of the stadium, Saturday night, supporters thrown firecrackers in the highway which was closed for 20 minutes near Schattdorf.

Everything started when Bellinzona supporters who came back to their was in Wholen made grafs in walls of the highway.
In the same time, Aarau fans who came back from a game in Chiasso stopped and tried to confront Bellinzona rivals.
Police intervened.

1.FC Köln - 1.FC Union Berlin - 22/02/2013

Source : Radio locale + http://www.rp-online.de

About 60 to 70 hardcore Union Berlin caused troubles near the Koln stadium.
Police said they thrown chairs, tables and beer cans and then a violent fight broke out with local ultras.
Police with horses intervened to separate both sides and police officers used their batons and pepper sprays.
One policeman was wounded and transfered to the hospital.
Berlin ultras were arrested.

Inside the stadium Berlin supporters also caused troubles.

Translation Underground Fans (c)



Union mob

Teen football fan admits lighting flare that killed Bolivian boy in stadium - 25/02/2013

Source : http://www.ctvnews.ca

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- A 17-year-old Corinthians supporter has confessed that he set off a flare that killed a 14-year-old Bolivian boy in a Copa Libertadores match last week.
The teenager, whose name was not disclosed, made the emotional confession to a Brazilian television channel late Sunday, with his mother by his side. He was expected to turn himself in to local police later Monday, according to his lawyer.
His confession came as 12 Corinthians fans remained in custody in Bolivia after being arrested following last Wednesday's match. The South American federation was also expected to rule on the team's appeal against the punishment of having to play its remaining home games in the tournament in an empty stadium.
On Sunday, Corinthians supporters held up a banner honouring the Bolivian boy during a match in the Sao Paulo state championship.
Wearing a jersey of the team's biggest fan group, the teen said in his interview that he was not deliberately aiming the device at the Bolivian fans when it allegedly went off accidentally, hitting Kevin Beltran Espada in the face and killing him.
"When I first pulled the cord to set it off nothing happened, I didn't know how to handle it," he told Globo TV. "When I pulled it again it just went off. I wasn't aiming it, I didn't know it was going to take off like that."
With his face not shown because of his age, the teen apologized and asked for forgiveness.
"When I found out what happened I just thought, 'My life is over, what am I going to do? I just killed a 14-year-old kid,"' he said. "I feel like I'm the worst person in the world. I don't know what I'll do with my life, I deeply regret what happened."
As a minor, the Brazilian cannot be extradited to Bolivia to face charges for the crime. He may just end up facing community service in Brazil.
"He will turn himself in, with his mother by his side," said Ricardo Cabral, the lawyer representing the teen. "A judge will likely give him a social-educational sentence in this first moment."
The teen may later face up to three years in a juvenile detention centre.
Two of the 12 fans in Bolivia have been formally accused of setting off the flare which killed Espada, while the others are being held as accomplices.
The Brazilian teen said that he didn't know the flare had killed the boy until after the match and decided not to turn himself in to Bolivian police after talking to other members of the group.
"I was scared at the time, I didn't know what to do," he said. "I thought the other guys would be released right away."
He dismissed the notion that he was confessing just to protect those detained in Bolivia, knowing that as a minor he didn't face extradition or a harsher punishment.
"It's just not right for people to pay for what they didn't do," he said. "If I was in their position I also wouldn't want to pay for something I didn't do."
The South American football federation last week said Corinthians, the defending Copa Libertadores champion, will play without its fans for the next 60 days because of what happened in Bolivia.
The team, which had already sold more than 80,000 tickets for its group stage matches, has appealed and another decision by the federation was expected later Monday.

Sickening response of UEFA to plight of travelling Tottenham fans in Lyon - 23/02/2013

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

Less than 24 hours before Tottenham kicked off at Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday, a gang of 50 hooded and masked yobs, some making Nazi salutes, pinned around 150 Spurs fans inside a pub as they pelted the windows with metal objects and lit flares.
Inside, there was panic as the supporters tried to take cover at the back of the bar then realised there was only one way out of the Smoking Dog pub on the cobbled streets of Lyon’s old town. But one man found his way into a back office and pleaded with the bar staff to help him barricade himself in using a small drinks fridge.
‘I’ve got a two-year-old at home,’ he said. ‘What happened in Rome can’t happen again.’

It is only three months since Tottenham fan Ashley Mills was stabbed before he was due to watch his team face Lazio in the competition’s group stages. In November, a gang of 50 Ultras making anti-Semitic chants attacked a bar in Rome where Spurs fans were known to be drinking. Of the three men arrested in Lyon, one was known to belong to a French far-right group, according to Rhone police, while two were known football hooligans. Are you noticing a pattern here?
Tottenham identified there could be problems, which is why they advised fans which pubs they should not frequent in the city. British police ‘spotters’ and FA representatives were inside the bar when the attacks began, while Spurs’ security team were on site within minutes.
The landlord of the Smoking Dog pub, Dave Eales, had concerns there might be trouble, too, which is why he warned the police, only to be ignored.
Lyon were quick to condemn what they called ‘inadmissible acts’ of ‘reprehensible violence’.
But UEFA? It is ‘nothing to do’ with us, they said. Until those fans step inside one of their stadiums on their matchdays they could not care less — as long as the branding around the perimeter of the pitch is up to scratch.
It was a sickening response, all the more negligent because Tottenham fans need UEFA’s support most of all this season.
Many I spoke to in Lyon feel they are being targeted not because of their football allegiance but for Tottenham’s Jewish heritage. There was defiance to continue following their team and determination to avoid what one called a ‘victim mentality’, but there was upset and frustration too.
Spurs fans, of all faiths and religions, are criticised for chanting ‘Yid Army’ inside football grounds, yet little is done when they are beaten up for supporting a club with strong Jewish roots. It just does not make sense. This right-wing vitriol is already overshadowing what is shaping up to be an exciting European journey for Spurs fans and UEFA need to act — now.

The thugs’ motivations seem to have nothing to do with sport, but football is being used as a vehicle for hatred. That has to stop. It is not UEFA’s responsibility to act as an all-seeing dictator, but they must open their eyes and, at least, back up Tottenham and their opponents by condemning any violence.
Better would be to make a stand — in terms of serious punishment, not pitiful fines — to say that they will take football, the vehicle, away if this pattern continues. A trip to Milan is in store for Andre Villas-Boas and his side in the last 16, after all.
But zero tolerance is just an empty phrase in UEFA’s book. Yet again it is the fans who will suffer. They either save their cash to go abroad to support their team and risk being pelted with missiles or they stay at home. Damned if they do and damned if they don’t. But it’s nothing to do with UEFA.