Season 13/14 - January

Liverpool FC - Hull City - 01/01/2014

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

Hull fan in hospital after supporters' bus attacked near Anfield after Liverpool loss

A Hull City fan is in hospital after a supporters' bus was attacked near Anfield after the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool on New Year's Day.
A brick was thrown through the window and then Hull fans were set upon after they confronted the alleged aggressors.
Peter Shipp, chairman of the coach firm, East Yorkshire Motor Company, said: 'It was the last coach to leave in the convoy and I think the incidents took place around five or 10 minutes away from Anfield. It must have been some mindless idiots. A brick went through the entrance window and struck the driver. Fortunately, he was not injured.

'Two or three passengers got off the coach to confront the aggressors and at least one was hit in the back by a brick. He is now in hospital. He declined to be taken to hospital at the time but is now there this morning. Another was struck in the knee and is now on crutches.
'We think there is around £4,500 worth of damage, whether we will get the money back from those kind of people I don't know. The driver managed to get the coach to the nearest service station and we then had to send another coach up from Hull.
'The supporters did not get home until after midnight. The police were called to the incident but nobody was caught at the time.'
Merseyside Police are investigating the incident, which happened in Townsend Avenue, near Anfield, at around 5.35pm.
Officers are now examining CCTV and speaking to the coach company and witnesses from the area to trace those responsible.
Superintendent Chris Markey, match commander said: 'We work closely with both clubs and the local authority at football matches so they can be enjoyed safely by all. I'm sure Liverpool residents would agree that it's disappointing to hear that visitors to our city have had this experience.

Millwall FC - Leicester City - 01/01/2014

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

Millwall fan storms pitch to grab linesman's flag and rip it up before being dragged away

An assistant referee was forced to change his flag after an irate Millwall fan ripped it apart when his team were denied a corner.
Alan Young had instead awarded Leicester a goal-kick so the supporter reached over the barrier and pulled the flag from the handle.
He was chucked out of The Den by stewards.

The home crowd had become increasingly angry at various decisions made by Young and referee Tim Robinson, who allowed two Anthony Knockaert challenges to go unpunished leading to two goals in the 3-1 win for Nigel Pearson’s side.
Millwall’s interim manager, Neil Harris, said he did not see the actual incident but added: ‘I saw the flag on the floor and the linesman standing there with the handle.
‘I think the young man just run over to tell the linesman how disappointed he was that he didn’t give a corner, which it clearly was.’

Scotland : Dundee United - Aberdeen FC - 01/01/2014

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

Dons fans arrested after eight smoke bombs set off in Dundee

TWO men were arrested after eight smoke bombs were set off at Aberdeen FC’s New Year clash with Dundee United.

Smoke bombs and flares were let off in the away stands at Tannadice, as around 3,700 Dons fans made the short trip to Dundee.

Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie, match commander for the fixture, said: “While both sets of supporters attended the match in good seasonal spirit and were well behaved, it was disappointing that there were seven smoke pellets let off in the West Stand at Tannadice.

“Another pellet was allegedly set off at a licensed premises.

“We arrested one person for the incident in the stadium and another for the incident elsewhere in Dundee. Both arrests were in relation to possession of this type of item.

“It’s disappointing to see this trend of bringing items of this type to major events such as football matches.

“People should be in no doubt that we will not tolerate their use.

“I deplore their use because they not only impact on people’s enjoyment — they also present the very real potential to impact negatively on the safety of people.”

The Dons came from behind to secure a 2-1 in the New Firm derby.

Barry Robson levelled from the spot after John Souttar had opened the scoring for the Tayside outfit. Reds winger Peter Pawlett then sent the Aberdeen fans wild when he scored the winner three minutes into injury time as the Dons kept in touch with second-placed Motherwell.

In a separate incident, a soft drinks cup was thrown at Dundee United’s Aberdeen-born midfielder Ryan Gauld from the away section.

Dons keeper Jamie Langfield was also targeted by the Dundee United supporters, who threw paper balls at him.

England : Hull City fans' coach attack: 'Liverpool gang armed with knives and concrete slabs' - 03/01/2014

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

A Hull City fan has spoken of his shock after being struck by a concrete slab thrown at supporters making their way home from defeat at Liverpool.

A coach hired by Tigers fans was attacked by a gang who threw stones and bricks through the windows as it made its way from Anfield.

One male supporter was hit by a slab of concrete thrown by the gang – who were also apparently carrying knives – after getting off the coach to remonstrate with the gang.

Around £4,500 of damage was caused to the bus, which had been hired from Hull-based East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS). The drivers’ door and three windows were completely smashed. Several young children were on board at the time.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “There was a gang running alongside the bus who were lobbing bricks and stones and anything they could find. I could see they were about to lob a big slab of concrete through the window so I thought I would get off and it might scare them away.

“As I did, one of them pulled out a knife so I turned my back and walked towards the bus. That is when the slab of concrete hit me in the back.

“I could hardly move for a couple of hours afterwards and have taken a couple of days off work because of the pain. I feel quite lucky just to have got away with that.”

Another fan is believed to have been struck on the knee. The attackers are believed to have been dressed in dark clothing and not football kits.

The man said the bus had been the last to leave the ground after City’s 2-0 defeat on New Year’s Day.

“There was a police escort at the front of the coaches, but not one at the back and unfortunately we got stuck in traffic,” he said. “They followed us for about a mile, throwing stuff at us. I was watching them thinking, this isn’t right.

“You hear stories about things like this happening but I have never seen anything like it. It is scary they were carrying knives because that shows they had some kind of intentions.

“It hadn’t been a good day anyway because of the result, but it just went from bad to worse.”

Supporters were forced to wait for a replacement bus to travel from Hull to Liverpool after the attack and did not arrive back in the city until 1am on Thursday.

Hull City fan Tony Smith tweeted a picture of the coach after it was damaged following the Tigers’ 2-0 defeat. He said the attack had happened after the game, about a mile away from Anfield.

Mr Smith wrote: “We’re okay. Had to wait for change of coach. Everybody’s in good spirits considering”.

Another fan, Dan Bird, said: “Just seen pictures of the city coach that was attacked, absolute disgrace”.

Merseyside Police said they are investigating the attack on the bus, which happened at 5.35pm.

Superintendent Chris Markey, match commander said: “We work closely with both clubs and the local authority at football matches so they can be enjoyed safely by all. I’m sure Liverpool residents would agree that it’s disappointing to hear that visitors to our city have had this experience. This incident will be thoroughly investigated and CCTV from the area is being sought.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Peter Shipp: 'It must have been a frightening experience

Peter Shipp, chief executive of EYMS, said: "We had two coaches go to the match, which had been privately hired by a group of fans who go with us regularly.

"One of them was the last of the convoy of coaches coming out. They were about five minutes from the ground when one of them was attacked.

"Somebody threw a brick or stone through the window which struck the driver's hand, although he wasn't injured. They kept throwing things but the driver couldn't get out of the way.

"Three of the windows and the drivers' door were smashed, which is going to cost about £4,500 to repair. The driver has taken it all in his stride, but it must have been a very frightening experience, particularly for the children on board.

"It could have been far worse, especially hearing some were seen with knives. This type of thing is very unusual and hopefully it will stay as a one-off."

Australia : Victory, Wanderers charged over street brawl - 03/01/2014

Source : http://neoskosmos.com

FFA has charged both teams with bringing the game into disrepute and will deduct three points

Football Federation Australia has charged Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers over a street brawl between the team's fans before last Saturday's A-League match.

Two men were hospitalised after fighting between supporters from both clubs before and during the 1-1 draw at AAMI Park.

Flares, bottles and metal poles were used as weapons in the fighting which took place on Melbourne's Bourke Street.

The FFA announced on Friday it was charging both teams with bringing the game into disrepute and said the clubs would have until 5pm on January 7 to show cause why they should not face sanctions.

"FFA has advised the clubs that their public statements this week on the events of 28 December are regarded as inappropriate and damaging to the interests of the A-League," the FFA said in a statement.

"FFA has advised the clubs that the proposed sanction is the deduction of three competition points from each club.

"The sanction would be suspended until the conclusion of the 2013/14 season, subject to the proper conduct of supporters for that period."

The points deduction would be activated in addition to any sanction imposed at the time if there were further incidents involving supporters.

FFA chief executive David Gallop defended the unprecedented proposed penalty.

"The loss of points that have been won fairly on the pitch is a harsh penalty, but it's in equal measure to the enormous damage caused by the type of anti-social behaviour seen in Melbourne last Saturday," Gallop said in the statement.

"The troublemakers are hurting the club they claim to support. They need to understand that the consequences of their reckless conduct will be felt on the A-League competition table if trouble persists."

England : Sunderland fans angry as ‘bubble trip’ Newcastle transport plan confirmed for Tyne-Wear derby - 04/01/2014

Source : http://www.sunderlandecho.com

SUNDERLAND fans travelling to Newcastle for next month’s Tyne-Wear derby showdown will have to do so on official club coaches, it has been confirmed.

The Echo reported earlier this week that Black Cats fans were angry that they could be forced to go on the so-called “bubble trip” to attend the Saturday, February 1, clash, after discussions between Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United and Northumbria Police.

Now, SAFC bosses have confirmed that a fleet of buses and official supporters’ branch transport will depart from the Stadium of Light on the morning of the game, with designated rendezvous points along the route.

Match tickets will state that official transport must be used in order to get into St James’ Park and supporters will need to leave the ground on the official transport provided.

Sunderland fans hit out at the decision, which they feel has been taken because of violence which flared after last season’s derby, when Newcastle fans rioted after their team’s 3-0 defeat to the Black Cats.

Lee Jones tweeted: “So it’s a bubble trip for SAFC fans due to Newcastle fans smacking horses and smashing own city #seemsfair.”

Emma Donnelly wrote: “Was it us that smashed our own city up last season? No. Were Newcastle fans made to do a bubble trip when they came here? No.”

Sunderland AFC’s head of safety, Paul Weir, said: “The safety of all fans at the derby is our priority. We also recognise the need by all parties to consider the safety of people going about their day-to-day business in Newcastle.

“We have consulted with fans’ groups regarding the implementation of these new arrangements and while we recognise that some of our fans may be inconvenienced, we are working to minimise this as much as possible.

“We have liaised closely with Safety Advisory Group members, who are in full support of the new arrangements and this is an on-going process to make the derby a safe and enjoyable event for everyone, with a view to continuing to make it better in the future.

“I would like to thank our fans for their positive input so far and I am confident that these new arrangements will be a success.”

Further information on coach routes would be released over the coming weeks.

Arsenal FC - Tottenham Hotspur - FA Cup - 04/01/2014

Source : http://www.101greatgoals.com

Spurs fans arrested ahead of FA Cup clash with North London rivals Arsenal

Ahead of the 17:15 kick off between North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, some kind of trouble occurred near the ground.

According to reports on the ground, a number of Tottenham fans were arrested approximately 30 minutes before the game.

Passions are always high between the the two clubs but serious trouble and arrests are usually rare.



Spurs

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Source : http://sports.yahoo.com

Theo Walcott reminds Tottenham fans they are losing during Arsenal FA Cup victory

With around ten minutes to go, Theo Walcott picked up an ankle injury, which eventually resulted in his exit on a stretcher. As he was carted past the visiting Tottenham fans, the speedy winger rubbed his hands together with glee, plastered a huge grin on his face and held up his hands to display the scoreline.

The Spurs fans obviously felt that the big screen was enough of a reminder of their plight and proceeded to throw coins at him. (Because apparently a trip to the Emirates isn't expensive enough without throwing even more money at players who have aggrieved you.)

An Arsenal steward collected up some of the currency and has stated his intention to put them towards a good cause.

Brazil : Police arrest president of Vasco’s ‘Youth Force’ - 04/01/2014

Source : http://www.sambafoot.com

On Friday night the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police arrested the president of the Força Jovem do Vasco in a beach-side kiosk.

Bruno Pereira Ribeiro, also known as Bruno Fet, was involved in widespread fighting that broke out between Atlético-PR and Vasco da Gama supporters in the final round of the Brasileirão, on December 8. The 32-year-old had been a fugitive since December 19, when a warrant for his arrest was issued.

As a consequence of the ugly scenes, 31 spectators have been reported and more than 20 arrested. All are charged with causing damage to public property, inciting violence, criminal association and some with attempted murder. Bruno Fet is one of those included in the latter.

The confrontation left a total of four fans hospitalised, one of whom suffered a fractured skull and was only discharged five days later.

Brazil's Superior Court of Sporting Justice has already ordered the two teams to play a total of 20 games away from their home cities of Curitiba (Atlético) and Rio de Janeiro (Vasco).

Southampton FC - Chelsea FC - 01/01/2014

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

Chelsea fans charged after clash with stewards at Premier League match with Southampton at St Mary's

FOUR Chelsea fans were arrested following an alleged altercation with stewards at the clash with Saints on New Year’s Day.

The arrests were made after a blue smoke flare was set off by fans in the Chelsea away section and stewards went to eject them.

The stewards attempted to seize the flare but two were pushed and pulled by two Chelsea fans.

Joseph Ridgeway, 23, of Barmouth Road, London, and Matthew Wilson, 33, of North East Road, Southampton, have been charged with common assault.

Allen Kieran, 24, of Barmouth Road, London, and Russell Huwes, 26, of no fixed abode, have been charged with possession of a flare or smoke grenade.

All have been handed bail under the condition they are not allowed to enter a regulated football match.

The charged fans will appear in court on January 17.

Ninth-placed Saints went on to lose the Premier League match 3-0 after conceding goals by Fernando Torres, Oscar, and Willian.

PC Andy Darbyshire, of Hampshire Constabulary, said flares or fireworks have injured other fans at St Mary’s this season.

He said: “Hampshire Police and Southampton Football Club work in partnership to reduce the use of pyrotechnics within football.

“As part of a survey carried out by the premier league, 83 per cent of fans regard the use of flares and smoke bombs at football grounds as unsafe.

"This rises to 87 per cent of those who attend matches with their children and 90 per cent of women, compared with 82 per cent of men.

“It is an offence for a person to enter or attempt to enter a football ground while in possession of a flare, smoke bomb or firework.

“Injuries have been caused this season at St Mary’s due to these being let off. Please don't spoil other people's enjoyment.”

Scotland : Hibernian FC - Hearts of Midlothian - 02/01/2014

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

A fan is tackled by stewards after charging onto the pitch.

Liverpool FC - Oldham Athletic - FA Cup - 05/01/2014

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

Oldham Athletic fan stabbed outside Liverpool pub after FA Cup game

An Oldham Athletic fan has been stabbed after his team's away match against Liverpool this afternoon.

The man, 35, was attacked a few metres from Anfield just after the Latics' match with Liverpool FC finished.

The man flagged down a passing ambulance on Lower Breck Road near the Flat Iron pub at 5.15pm.

The victim was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where his condition was described as stable. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Merseyside Police confirmed an Oldham Athletic fan had been attacked, suffering a single stab wound, and said an investigation had been launched into the incident.

Jamie Harrison, 37, a Latics fan from Oldham who travelled to the match, passed the scene just after the incident occurred.

He said: "The atmosphere had been fine all through the match and just outside the ground.

"I was in The Flat Iron pub and came out to see it all happening about 500 yards down the street.

"I saw him getting put into the back of an ambulance with a lot of wadding on his back.

"There was a helicopter overhead and two or three ambulances around with a lot of police in the area.

"I feel really lucky - if I had walked out the pub five minutes earlier I would have walked into the trouble and it looked really nasty."

A spokeswoman from North West Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 5.25pm that a male in his thirties had been stabbed.

"We were called to Breck Road and the man was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital for treatment."

A Merseyside police spokesman said: "I can confirm an investigation is under way after a man, believed to be an Oldham fan, was assaulted after the Liverpool game this afternoon."

Detective Chief Inspector Andy O'Connor said: "I want to reassure people that we are conducting a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"This was a nasty assault which has left a man in hospital.

"The area was very busy with both football fans and passing motorists when the incident took place and I'm confident some people will have seen what happened.

England : Three year ban for man who invaded pitch during Grimsby Town's FA Cup derby against Scunthorpe United - 06/01/2014

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

A MAN who went onto the pitch during November's FA Cup derby between Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United has been fined and banned from attending football matches for three years.

David Bennett, 35, of Stanley Street, in Grimsby, was one of 12 people arrested after the bad-tempered 1-1 draw at Blundell Park on November 9, which saw violent clashes between supporters in the hours following the game.

Bennett appeared before Grimsby magistrates for sentence, after pleading guilty to going onto the playing area "without lawful authority or excuse".

Bennett will not be allowed within half a mile of Blundell Park on a matchday, within three hours before or after the game, or within half a mile of Cleethorpes Market Place or Grimsby town centre during the same period.

The ban also prevents him from visiting any town or city where the Mariners or the England national team are playing an away match that day – and he was fined £100 with a £20 victims' surcharge and £85 costs.

Bennett's guilty plea was taken into account by the magistrates who will allow him to pay the fine and the court costs at a rate of £20 a month from March 31.

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Blundell Park before the Mariners completed a famous 2-1 victory in the replay at Glanford Park, a game which saw a further 21 people arrested by police.

Blundell Park stadium manager Nick Dale estimated that about 400 Grimsby Town fans had attended the first game – at which Bennett was arrested – with the intention of causing trouble.

He said: "We were stretched to the limit. Most of the problems were post-match and in the area of Cleethorpes seafront.

"There were only three arrests inside the ground and two of those were streakers."

He added: "It was just a small proportion of the gate who had the intention of causing disorder.

"It is a credit to all our stewards that it was contained inside the stadium."

Cyprus : Gate 1 attack a rival fans home - 02/01/2014

Source : Mail

Apollon Limassol Gate 1 attacked one fan home of Anorthosis Famagusta.

Spain : Racing Santander - Marino de Luanco - 04/01/2014

Source : http://www.eldiariomontanes.es

Due to the last game, spectators were not allowed to watch the game but local supporters entered terraces.

Translation Underground Fans

Greece (water-polo) : Panathinaikos - Olympiakos - 04/01/2014

Source : http://www.candianews.gr

Twenty-nine Pana supporters were arrested after they attacked a police station, especially throwing two flares.
21 of them will appear in front of a Court.

Translation Underground Fans

AC Amiens - Lille OSC - Cup - 05/01/2014

Source : http://nord-pas-de-calais.france3.fr

A few skirmishes erupted at half-time.
Some damages were caused by Lille fans who were provoked by local and Lens supporters who thrown missiles at them.

Italy : Rieti - US Ladispoli - 05/01/2014

Source : http://www.ilmessaggero.it

One Ladispoli supporter was arrested by police after some big detonators were used.

Translation Underground Fans

Greece : Egaleo FC - AEK Athens - 05/01/2014

Source : http://www.gazzetta.gr + http://www.news.gr

Twenty minutes before the beginning of the game, AEK supporters provoked riots in the small stadium.
Away fans entered the pitch and attacked Egaleo ones with firecrackers so police intervened to separate both sets of fans.
Riots continued for 15 minutes.

Translation Underground Fans












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Source : http://www.newsit.gr



Other troubles broke out (fights between players, seats ripped off, pitch invaded, fire in the local main stand) during the game which was stopped for 30 minutes.
48 supporters were arrested.

Sunderland AFC - Manchester United - League Cup - 07/01/2014

Source : http://www.sunderlandecho.com

Police identify Manchester United fan who threw flare at Sunderland supporters during cup clash

A MANCHESTER United supporter who hurled a flare at opposing fans at the Stadium of Light has been identified.

Flares were lit in the away end, with at least one thrown into a section of home fans, as United lost 2-1 to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

Club officials today confirmed that the offender had been identified and his details passed to Northumbria Police.

Paul Weir, head of safety and security at Sunderland AFC, said: “Fortunately, there were no injuries from flare being thrown into the lower North Stand.

“The offender in the away section of the ground has been identified and details passed onto the police. “The use of pyrotechnics is something that the club is working with the Premier League to combat at the Stadium of Light and the incidents were dealt with by trained Fire Stewards.”

Spain: Rácing Santander - Almería - Copa del Rey - 08/01/2014

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

Racing Santander fans assault club president

A group of Racing Santander fans tried to attack President Angel Lavin during their Copa del Rey match with Almeria last night.
The Segunda B side drew 1-1 with Francisco’s men, but with an hour gone some supporters decided to enter the Presidential box and throw drinks at the club’s owner.
Racing’s private security had to be called in to calm the situation down, but not before Lavin was assaulted by fans.
Racing, the only team in Segunda División B still in the Copa del Rey, used the occasion to protest against the club’s precarious financial situation.
The players refused to start playing when the game began as a protest against the debt the club owes to its players, who have not been paid since September.

England: Football yobs get lengthy bans for mocking dead fans of rival club on banner - 09/01/2014

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

Football supporters who mocked two dead fans of a rival club have been banned for a total of 18 years.

One banner unfurled ­during Wrexham’s volatile 0-2 derby clash with Chester FC in August said, “Two dead fans, one dead club”.

Another mocked the suicide of a young Chester fan.

The move enraged opposing Chester supporters, who ripped up seats to hurl them at the banner-waving Wrexham fans at the Racecourse Ground in north Wales.

Stewards at the stadium moved into the crowd to try and confiscate the messages, but they were attacked by an angry mob.

And police officers sent into the melee to try and rescue them were even assaulted by the out-of-control supporters.

A huge police presence surrounded the stadium last July for the first cross-border derby between the clubs since 2008.

Police escorted 18 coaches along nearby main roads as Cheshire Police and Merseyside Police gave support to the operation.

Gareth Higgins, 28, Matthew Duncan, 21, James Gruffydd Jones, 25, and his dad Alan Gruffydd Jones, 48, were found guilty by Wrexham magistrates.

Judge Andrew Shaw said they had “crossed a taboo”.

AS Roma - Sampdoria - Italian Cup - 09/01/2014

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

Sampdoria fans offered absurd level of security protection

The problem of football hooliganism pervades the sport, and paranoia about the possibility of it all 'kicking off' at an Italian cup match produced the above astonishing photo.
The incredible image was taken at the Coppa Italia tie between Roma and Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
New signing Radja Nainggolan made his debut in the 1-0 win but the game will be remembered for the over-zealous nature of protection afforded to the travelling Sampdoria fans.
While Italian football has had problems in recent years with hooliganism, it remains to be seen what exactly the security personnel were protecting the (very) few fans who had made the 1,000 km round-trip from Genoa.
Maybe the aggressive looking seats?

Real Madrid - Celta Vigo - 06/01/2014

Source : http://www.football-espana.net

Ultras Sur protest outside Bernabeu

Radical Real Madrid fan group Ultras Sur protested outside Gate 28 of the Santiago Bernabeu before last night’s game with Celta Vigo.

Around 200 members convened at what was their entrance until they were banned from the Bernabeu at the start of November, when 500 of the group had their season tickets rescinded and refunded following an altercation outside the ground before a game against Real Sociedad.

Monday’s match with Luis Enrique’s side marked the opening of the ‘Grada Joven de Animacion’, a singing section for young supporters that has been created at the expense of the Ultras, whom the club had expected to turn up and therefore organised a heavy police presence.

The Ultras directed chants against Los Blancos’ President Florentino Perez and the fans who would be taking their place inside the stadium, although no major incidents were reported.

The Grada Joven has a capacity for 853 fans and is made up of existing season ticket holders belonging to established supporters' clubs.

Germany: 4 officers hurt in clash with Schalke fans - 11/01/2014

Source : http://www.miamiherald.com

Police say four officers have been hurt in clashes with fans of Bundesliga club Schalke as they traveled home from a tournament.

Federal police say about 150 fans turned on officers as they tried to check the identity of a man who threatened one of their colleagues during a train journey. They say officers were kicked and punched, then pelted with bottles, stones, trash cans and bicycles outside the station in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday evening.

Police used batons and pepper spray to end the fray. They said Sunday that four people were detained and investigations were launched against 14 people over alleged offenses including bodily harm and breaching the peace.

The Bundesliga is currently on its winter break. Schalke's under-23 team was playing at an indoor tournament in Meschede.

Sheffield Wednesday - Leeds United - League Cup - 11/01/2014

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

Hundreds of police officers on duty for Sheffield Wednesday clash with Leeds United

Around 400 officers were expected to be on duty for the Championship clash – the first time Leeds fans have been back at Hillsborough since some damaged seating on the terraces last season.

That fixture was also marred by Leeds fan Aaron Cawley, now 22, who invaded the pitch and slapped Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in the face during the match.

It led to the Owls manager at the time, Dave Jones, branding Leeds fans as ‘vile animals’ and calling for them to be banned from away games because of their behaviour.

Superintendent Shaun Morley, responsible for the policing plan for today’s game, warned troublemakers to stay away.

He said fans with football banning orders would be arrested if spotted anywhere near the ground.

He said: “This is a local derby and there’s a long history of rivalry between the teams. Normally that rivalry is good-natured but unfortunately last year it spilled over into disorder and was highlighted by the idiotic behaviour of one individual who ran onto the pitch to assault the goalkeeper.

“Our intention is to deliver a safe environment for fans to enjoy the game – there is an early kick-off which will reduce alcohol becoming a factor in terms of the behaviour of fans, there will also be a distinctly increased visible police presence with approximately 400 officers on duty in the city centre, during the transitional phase when fans make their way to and from Hillsborough and in the ground itself.

“Those who want to cause or incite disorder or become involved in disorder need to realise that we have the capability to take action very quickly, effectively and robustly and it is likely that they will be arrested.”

Supt Morley said a large number of officers specially trained in public order incidents would be on duty and officers on horseback and with dogs would also be on standby.

He said the force could also call upon a police helicopter to monitor the football crowds from the air if needed.

Some 3,100 travelling Leeds fans were expected at today’s game.