Season 12/13 - March

England : York City - Port Vale - 16/03/2013

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

Police blast ‘disgraceful’ violence as York fans clash in street

Police have described a large-scale fight between rival sets of football fans in York city centre as “disgraceful”.

Bottles and glasses were thrown in the street as fans clashed in the hour before York City’s 2-0 home defeat by Port Vale on Saturday.

Officers arrested five people and issued 16 local teenagers with dispersal orders banning them from the city centre for six hours.

Pc Andrew Pearson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “It was disgraceful behaviour by a shockingly behaved minority who should be ashamed of themselves.

“Thankfully no-one suffered any injuries as a result of the incident and those responsible should count themselves very lucky not to be facing more serious allegations.

“We have been checking CCTV of the incident and speaking to people who were present. However, it is vital that any other witnesses to the incident come forward if they have not already done so.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who was in the Pink Pony pub prior to the incident.”

He added: “This behaviour will not be tolerated in our city and as a warning to others intent on spoiling the occasion for genuine fans, you can be assured that North Yorkshire Police will ensure offences of this nature are pursued through the courts and football banning orders sought at every opportunity.”

Two 18-year-old men from York were arrested on suspicion of affray.

Two men aged 19 and 20 from Stoke were arrested on suspicion of public order offences. Both were also arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and B drugs along with a third man, aged 19.

All five have been released on bail while inquiries continue.

In a separate incident, two men aged 43 and 23 from Stoke-on-Trent who had been ejected from the ground were arrested for using threatening words and behaviour towards police officers.

Brighton & Hove - Crystal Palace - 17/03/2013

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

Sussex Police to hunt down gay-slur Palace fans

Sussex Police have vowed to hunt down Crystal Palace fans who chanted homophobic slogans before and after yesterday’s derby clash.

More than 100 fans from the London club hurled anti-gay taunts at passers-by and set off smoke bombs as they were marched up West Street and Queen's Road in Brighton by police before the game.

The chants continued during and after the match as rival fans squared off outside American Express Community Stadium.

Officers wore body cameras to capture the scenes on film.

A record crowd of 28,499 fans packed into the Amex to watch a rampaging Albion team thrash their bitter rivals 3-0.

After the match Seagulls manager Gus Poyet: “This is a day to stop time and stay here forever. I’d like to finish a season like this.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said officers were aware there had been homophobic taunts hurled at Albion supporters.

He said: “Officers were deployed with body-worn video and if any offences are identified including homophobic chanting those responsible will be identified.”

Minor scuffles

More than 350 police officers were involved in the operation, about 100 more than were involved in last season’s fixture.

There were minor scuffles outside the stadium before the game when rival sets of fans tried to break through police lines.

Officers in riot gear and mounted police pushed back the troublemakers before they could reach each other.

But police hailed the day as a “great success” with only five arrests made – three Brighton and Hove Albion fans and two Crystal Palace supporters.

Arrests

A 31-year-old Eastbourne man and a 19-year-old Brighton man were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly while a 40-year-old Brighton man was arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine.

A 36-year-old Crystal Palace fan from south Croydon was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence – swearing – at Falmer Station.

A second Palace fan, an 18-year-old from Surrey, was arrested on suspicion of spitting of people from a bridge.

Chief Inspector Paul Betts, of Sussex Police, said: “There was a small number of potential flashpoints between rival groups of fans at Brighton and Falmer stations, but these involved a small minority and we were able to deal with them very quickly.

“I should like to thank supporters from both sides who heeded appeals from the clubs, supporters’ groups and the police to enjoy the game in a spirit of rivalry, not violence.

“Today has shown that Albion versus Palace matches can be played without the disorder that has taken place in recent years.”

Blackburn Rovers - Burnley FC - 17/03/2013

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

12 arrests at East Lancs derby game

A spokesman said there were 12 arrests, most for relatively minor offences and some damage was caused to a number of buses by people travelling on them and also to some toilets at Ewood Park.

“It was clear that at the end of the game there was a number of people intent on causing trouble but the police, working closely with stewards, prevented this from happening.

“The game has passed of without any major incident, although some toilets were damaged in the Darwen End and also some windows were pushed out of some of the buses."

Some 4,000 Burnley fans had to travel to Ewood on coaches with most setting off from Turf Moor and a smaller number from Clayton-le-Moors.

Newcastle Fans Arrested Over Football Violence Ahead Of Derby - 20/03/2013

Source : http://tyneandwear.sky.com

Six men thought to be linked to football related violence in Newcastle have been arrested on suspicion of affray.

The arrests followed violence that erupted in Rafferty's Bar at Pink Lane in Newcastle city centre after the Newcastle v Chelsea game on February 2.

The trouble is thought to have been between Newcastle United supporters and football fans from Scotland.

A 25 year old man from Jarrow was arrested on March 3.

Two 43 year olds and a 40 year old man were also arrested after police officers carried out warrants in Newcastle and Durham on Thursday March 14.

Two further arrests were made on March 15. A 39 year old man from Newcastle and and 40 year old man from Washington were also detained.

All six men have now been bailed pending further investigation.

The enforcement action comes ahead of the Newcastle United v Sunderland derby at St James' Park on April 14.

Chief Superintendent Gary Calvert, Newcastle Area Command, said: "This is yet another example of the pro-active enforcement action we are taking against those people suspected of being involved in football-related disorder.

"There is no place for such behaviour amongst true football fans who want nothing more than to support their team free from violence and disorder.

"Tens of thousands of supporters attend football matches in our region and we are well aware the vast majority just want to enjoy the match. However, when any kind of violence does take place we will do everything possible to make sure those suspected of being involved are traced.

"Over recent months we've been working hard to tackle the minority of people suspected of being involved in such behaviour to ensure the safety of those people attended the derby match next month, and this will continue."

Police have also released CCTV images of four people they need to trace in connection with the incident.

Chief Supt Calvert, added: "I'd urge anyone who recognises them, or the men themselves to contact police at the earliest opportunity."

Bus Crash Kills 2 Polish Football Fans - 19/M03/2013

Source : http://en.rsport.ru

Two football fans have been killed and 52 injured in a bus crash in Poland on Tuesday morning, police said.

The Lechia Gdansk supporters were returning from a top-flight league game away to Piast Gliwice when their bus went through a ditch and rolled over in a field near the town of Wloclawek.

“In the accident, two people were killed on the spot, 21 were transported with serious injuries to hospitals in Alexandrow Kujawski, Torun and Wloclawek,” Wloclawek police said in a website statement. Another 31 fans suffered minor injuries.

The police did not mention a reason for the crash.

Late winter snowfalls have made road conditions dangerous across large parts of Poland.

Scotland : Police hit back over Celtic fans' demo claims - 20/03/2013

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

STRATHCLYDE Police today hit back at allegations of officers' heavy-handed action against a group of Celtic fans.

The supporters held an unauthorised protest march against an anti-sectarianism law last weekend.

A total of 13 people were arrested for alleged public order offences, near Glasgow Cross, as they made their way to a match at Celtic Park on Saturday.

The force today pledged to provide evidence of "the levels of aggression and abuse police officers were subjected to" during Saturday's events.

Officers are currently reviewing CCTV evidence of the protest march, which is said to involve members of the Green Brigade.

In a statement released today, Strathclyde Police said: "Any accusations regarding the police response to the illegal procession in the Gallowgate are inaccurate.

"We are currently reviewing a significant amount of CCTV footage captured on the day.

"This clearly shows the instigation of the incident, the levels of aggression and abuse police officers were subjected to and the restraint demonstrated by officers in very difficult circumstances.

"Although we are satisfied our officers conducted themselves in a professional and proportionate manner, we can assure the public that we will investigate any complaint thoroughly."

Today's statement follows Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill dismissing calls for an independent inquiry.

Italy : Four Serie A Clubs Fined - 11/03/2013

Source : http://forzaitalianfootball.com

Genoa, Palermo, Juventus and Lazio were all fined by the Lega Serie A today, for the actions of the clubs’ supporters over the weekend.

Genoa, who lost to Milan on Friday night, have been hit the hardest with a €30,000 penalty. The relegation-threatened club have been punished for supporters directing several physical and verbal actions toward Milan players.

The Lega’s official website posted this statement: “A fine of €30,000 to Genoa for directing chants containing racially discriminatory language to a player of the opposing team in the 25th minute, for shining a laser at players of the opposing team and for throwing coins and lighters at a referee’s assistant and the opposing goalkeeper in the 75th minute.”

While Genoa received the biggest fine, Lazio were handed a fine of €10,000 after displaying several banners that directly insulted UEFA president Michel Platini. Juventus and Palermo were handed €4,000 fines each, as Juvetus’ fans sang insulting songs and a Palermo supporter hurled a bottle on to the pitch at the Renzo Barbera.

Hungary - Romania - 22/03/2013

Source : http://sg.sports.yahoo.com

Fans, police clash after Hungary closed-doors game

Police fired tear gas at Hungarian football fans outside the Ferenc Puskas stadium on Friday after Hungary's World Cup qualifier against Romania was played behind closed doors.

World football's governing body FIFA ordered the match, which ended 2-2 after a last-minute equaliser by Romania, to be played in an empty stadium following anti-semitic incidents during a Hungary-Israel friendly in Budapest last August.

FIFA said that during that game "a group of supporters had chanted anti-Semitic chants, and displayed other offensive symbols".

Several thousand people watched Friday's game on a big screen at a demonstration next to the stadium organised by the far-right political party Jobbik to protest the FIFA order.

Fans chanted nationalist slogans and carried flags and banners expressing solidarity with the 1.2-million-strong ethnic Hungarian minority in Romania.

After the game a group of around 50 fans threw bottles at police who responded with tear gas.

Several people were detained by police while one fan was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Around 4,000 fans also attended an outdoor screening of the game organised by the Hungarian football association at another location in the city.

England : Bristol fan who threw glass before Cardiff City game is banned - 22/03/2013

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

A Bristol City fan was banned from football grounds for three years today after pleading guilty to a public order offence during trouble before the club’s match in Cardiff last month.

Ryan Drew, 21, of Thomas Court, Bristol, was in a bubble of 800 Bristol City fans for the February 16 clash at the Cardiff City Stadium when he threw a glass of alcohol at a passer-by.

Meanwhile another Robins fan, Jordan Brimble, 18, pleaded guilty to kicking a police constable in the head after running out of the police-escorted bubble on the way back to the railway station after the game.

Magistrates have asked for a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing Brimble later today.

After his arrest, Drew told police: “I only threw a cup”.

But he pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Cardiff Magistrates' Court today.

Ian Dawes, prosecuting, said: “The offence took place at the game between Cardiff City and Bristol City at about 11am.

“There were around 800 Bristol City football supporters being escorted by police from Penarth Road to the Cardiff City Football Ground.

“A number of members of the crowd were chanting ‘sheep********’ towards a lone male.

“One of the officers who was escorting the Bristol City supporters turned around at this point and that’s when he saw the defendant.

“The defendant was holding a glass or a plastic container which had a yellow liquid inside it. The officer believed it to be alcohol.

“The defendant raised his arm and threw this container towards the lone male. Neither the liquid nor the container made contact with the lone male.”

Nathan Jones, defending, said Drew had been attending football since the age of five with no football-related convictions.

He said: “It is going to have a significant effect on him. Mr Drew is someone who has been going to football matches since he was very young without incident and no convictions have been football related.”

Chair of the bench Michael Prewett banned Drew for three years to “help violence or disorder connected to football matches".

He also fined him £100, ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Drew will also have to surrender his passport to police ahead of football matches played abroad and will not be allowed within 2,000 metres of Bristol City’s ground Ashton Gate on match days.

Meanwhile he will not be allowed to enter any London borough for games played in London or England home games at Wembley and will need British Transport Police permission to travel by rail when Bristol City are away.

He can appeal his banning order after he has served two-thirds.

Scotland - Wales - 22/03/2013

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

Cardiff street brawl caught on camera after Wales v Scotland
Drunken revellers became involved in a mass street brawl outside a city pub.

Online video footage of the late-night fight shows several people being pushed and shoved outside The Goscombe on Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff, on Saturday.

The trouble happened just yards from where Millennium Stadium announcer Rhys ap William suffered a fractured skull in an alleged assault several weeks ago.

Witnesses said up to 25 people became caught up in the mass brawl, which happened at around 9.15pm.

One onlooker, who did not wish to be named, said: “This group of people all continued this mass brawl with everyone in the group either joining in or restraining other members.

“I'd say this brawl went on for 10 to 15 minutes with the street being unaccessible for that period.

“The group of people brawling contained a lot of men and women all in their 20s to early 30s.”

But he added: “I wouldn’t necessarily call it fighting as they all looked so drunk that very little punches were being landed.”

Last month, Pobol y Cwm star Rhys ap William was knocked to the ground and left unconscious outside the Admiral Napier pub.

Canton councillor Ramesh Patel said he was concerned by the number of violent incidents occurring on Cowbridge Road East.

He said: “If these types of crimes are going on it needs to be addressed.”

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: “Officers attended a disturbance on Cowbridge Road East at around 9.15pm on Saturday, March 9.

“It appears this was an argument between two groups of people known to each other.

“No offences were disclosed and there were no arrests.”

San Marino - England - 22/03/2013

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

England Fan Held In San Marino After Fight Leaves Man In Coma

An England football fan is being questioned by police in connection with a fight that reportedly left a man in a coma, the Foreign Office said.

The incident happened in Italy before Friday's match against San Marino.

Reports in Italy say that the 21-year-old man was arrested after the dispute broke out outside the Bounty pub in Bologna, 75 miles from the enclave republic of San Marino, where England won their Group H World Cup qualifier.

Local newspaper La Repubblica reported that a 65-year-old England fan was in a coma in hospital after undergoing major surgery for a head injury.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Italy on 21 March. We are providing consular assistance."

La Repubblica reported that a group of at least seven football fans, who had been drinking, started fighting outside the pub in the Via delle Moline.

They described the 65-year-old defending himself with a bar stool before being punched and then hitting his head on the ground as he fell.

England : Football fans to stage protest over police restrictions - 21/03/2013

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

Hundreds of football fans plan to protest against "draconian" ticket and travel restrictions for Hull City's game at Huddersfield Town.

Angry supporters have said they will march through Huddersfield before the match on 30 March.

West Yorkshire Police upset away fans saying they must collect tickets from a service station on the M62 and board official buses.

Hull City FC said the decision had led to the "criminalisation" of fans.

As of Thursday lunchtime a spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said discussions over the proposed march were ongoing but no formal application had been received.

The club has given its backing to the protest being organised by the Football Supporters Federation (FSF) and official supporters' groups.

A statement released on the club website said: "We recognise, and empathise with, the deep sense of grievance over West Yorkshire Police's effective criminalisation of Hull City supporters."

Protestors are expected to meet at Huddersfield Railway Station at 13:45 GMT before marching to the town's Piazza shopping centre.

Amanda Jacks, from the FSF, said up to 300 people, including Huddersfield Town supporters, are due to take part in the demonstration.

"The people of Hull simply want to demonstrate their strength of feeling against how West Yorkshire Police have handled this," she said.

Supporters are being encouraged to carry non-alcoholic drinks and hold placards stating their profession "so people can see the person behind the fan".

Restrictions were imposed after the kick-off time for the match at Huddersfield Town's John Smith's stadium was changed to 17:20 GMT to allow Sky to broadcast the game live.

Police have previously said "policing higher-risk fixtures later in the afternoon increases the likelihood of disorder over a longer period of time and impacts upon policing the night-time economy".

Croatia - Serbia - 22/03/2013

Source : http://dalje.com + www.tportal.hr

Police bring in 65 fans before and after Croatia-Serbia football match

Police in Zagreb said late on Friday they had brought in a total of 65 persons before and after the football World Cup qualifying match between Croatia and Serbia, mostly for possession of firecrackers and forged tickets or for drunkenness.
Ten fans were brought in before the match, 17 after the half-time break and 38 after the match. No incidents were reported.

Croatia beat Serbia 2:0 in front of 35,000 spectators at Maksimir Stadium.




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

Croatian flag burnt in Banja Luka, massive brawl in Serbian club in Linz

A group of hooligans burnt a Croatian flag in central Banja Luka on Friday evening during a Croatia-Serbia World Cup qualifying match played in Zagreb, Bosnian media reported on Saturday.
The flag was burnt in a square where football fans could watch the match on a big screen, and a fight broke out among supporters of the Serbian team shortly after Mario Mandzukic scored the first goal for Croatia in 23rd minute. Most of the fans dispersed after Ivica Olic scored the second goal for Croatia in 37th minute, according to the Bosnian largest web portal klix.ba.

No interethnic incidents were reported, as had been the case in previous years.

Meanwhile in Linz, Austria, a massive brawl involving about 50 persons broke out in a Serbian club after the Croatia-Serbia match and the police had to send nine patrols to calm them down, APA news agency reported. Two violent fans were detained, and several participants were slightly injured in the fight.

SC Bastia - Ajaccio - 02/03/2013

Source: L'Equipe



Supporters exchanged rocks, firecrackers and other missiles.
Seven people were slightly wounded said police.
Firecrackers were also thrown in direction of the pitch by some of the 450 Ajaccio who made the trip.



Video incidents : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=486504938072536

Argentina : Boca Juniors - Argentinos Juniors - 18/03/2013

Source : http://playfutbol.infobae.com

Another football game with blood and violence.
This time one Argentinos fan, 25 years old, lost one eye with a rubber bullet shooted by a policemen.
He was transfered to the hospital.
Troubles started after the the game.
An internal inquiry is now open against 3 policemen.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Italy: Ancona - Sambenedettese - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.rivieraoggi.it

Three policemen were wounded during troubles which occured.
Ansa press agency wrote that ultras tried to cofnront and then police forces needed to intervene, charging them with the aim to disperse them.
Police found missiles like dozen bottles, including one molotov.

Italy: Acireale: stadium bans - 17/03/2013

Source : http://catania.livesicilia.it

The Catania Court gave stadium ban to two Acireale players, but also to three of their supporters and to 4 Noto ones.
These sentences followed troubles which occured at the Tupparello stadium when both teams played.

Italy: Teramo - SS Chieti - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.teramonews.com

First informations start to arrive after the troubles which broke out outside the stadium during this derby game.
Police said 80 supporters from both teams clashed.
Now, police try to identify troublemakers watching CCTV.
It seems everything started when about fifty Chieti ultras, without tickets arrived in Teramo.
They stayed in front of theit stand provoking locals.
Minutes later, they clashed.
Police separated both sides.

Italy: La Spal - Massese - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.ogginotizie.it

Serious troubles opposed La Spal and Massa supporters.
Four of them were arrested before the game.
Everything started when a mob of Massesi attacked the local main boozer.
Rocks and bottles where exchanged.
After they were attacked, local supporters attacked a bus with Massese supporters so police intervened.

Argentina: Fontana - Chaco For Ever - 17/03/2013

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

The game was stopped for 13 minutes in first half by the referee due to troubles opposing policemen to For Ever supporters.
The game was definitively stopped in 2nd half.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Costa Rica : Belén Siglo XXI - Deportivo Saprissa - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.mariosegura.com

A fight broke out opposing factions of Saprissa supporters.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Turkey: Göztepe AŞ - Karşıyaka SK - 17/03/2013

Source : local press

Tension at the end of the game, especially after the 3rd goal of locals after 86 minutes of playing.
Karsiyaka players became angry and thousands of supporters ripped seats off.
Referees were protected by policemen.

Croatia : NK Zadar - Hajduk Split - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.tportal.hr

Just before kick-off police have arrested 10 drunk supporters.
Two other supporters, 17 and 22 years old, were arrested because they used firecrackers in the terraces.
Another one because he used a flare.
And then, after the game, two supporters, 35 and 44 years old, were arrested because they fought.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Macedonia : Bregalnica Štip - FK Renova - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.telegraf.rs

During the game local supporters invaded the pitch.
On of them gave a punch to a Renova player.
Police quickly intervened but away players wanted to confront supporters.


Translation Underground Fans (c)

Serbia : Radnički Niš - Red Star Beograd - 17/03/2013

Source : http://www.telegraf.rs

Police had a lot of work with Red Star supporters before, during and after the game.
Especially because a fight started inside their stand.
Twenty supporters were arrested.

Translation Underground Fans (c)