Season 14/15 - July

England : Police carry out dawn raids on suspected Bristol Rovers hooligans - 02/07/2014

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

Police have carried out a series of dawn raids on more than a dozen people who they want to speak in relation to disorder that followed Bristol Rovers last game of the season.

The trouble flared during the end-of-season game between Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town.

The game on May 3 saw victory for the East Midlands team, resulting in Rovers being relegated from the Football League for the first time in their history.

The game was overshadowed by a post-match pitch invasion, as well as small pockets of disorder before the game, when a police horse was punched.

When the final whistle went some people went on to the pitch to vent their frustration and a minority were intent of causing significant violence, directing their anger at police officers and club stewards.

No Mansfield Town supporters were involved in the disorder, who were praised by stewards for their good behaviour.

Mounted officers helped club stewards clear the pitch and then disperse the crowd safely. Six arrests were made on the day.

Since the game police have been working with the two clubs scrutinising CCTV coverage, photographs and images tweeted of those involved in the trouble on the day.

The police published photographs of more than 20 people who theyt were keen to speak to in connection with the disorder. As a result a further nine people were arrested. A further six people have since agreed to voluntarily attend police stations next week.

Those detained by police have been arrested for violent disorder, ABH, affray, common assault and public order offences.

This morning’s early morning operation, which was spearheaded by the force’s support groups, assisted by district colleagues, involved officers executing early-morning arrest warrants at properties in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Ten men were arrested and two others have agreed to attend police stations voluntarily.

DI Paul Hunt, who is leading the football operation said: “Today’s operation will again send out a strong message to a small minority intent on causing problems at football games.

“You might think you are anonymous in the crowd and no-one can see your anti social behaviour and actions but they are wrong. We now have troublemakers in our cells who had the same thought.

“We are showing the red card to those intent on causing football disorder and violence in Avon and Somerset and will now put these people before the courts. Successful convictions should result in football banning orders which will mean they will no longer be able to attend games or follow their national side abroad.

“There are currently almost 100 football banning orders in force in our force area,” said DI Hunt.

England : Police hit fans with batons ahead of Wolves match, trial hears - 04/07/2014

Source : http://www.expressandstar.com

A football fan accused of affray was trying to get away from police who were hitting supporters with batons after scuffles broke out before a Wolves game, a jury has been told.

Ben Richardson, who is on trial with five other fans for affray, told Wolverhampton Crown Court he was trying to get away from officers who were using batons to hit fans amid violence before the Wolves game against Leeds on February 9 last year.

Earlier in the trial, the court heard that Richardson had been seen by police officers to shout "come on" at Leeds fans.

But the 26-year-old, of Pebble Close, Stourbridge, said he had gone to Wolverhampton to sell tickets for a charity event.

He told the jury yesterday he had been outside The Moon Under Water pub on the day of the match but did not shout or threaten anyone.

He said: "I tried to go back to the bus station to go home but the police had blocked the road, and I was told to go back the other way.

"I spoke to a police officer to see where was safe for me to go and he told me to go to The Wanderer.

"I thought that would be a good idea because I could sell some more tickets there if I saw anyone I knew who was going to the game."

CCTV showed scuffles breaking out between fans and police at the entrance of the subway near the ground, and Richardson could be seen walking around on the concourse.

Richardson said: "I was just trying to find a way out of there and get away from the police, because they were just hitting people with batons.

"Everyone was having a look at what was going on, just being nosy, but didn't want to get involved.

"I moved away because I saw that the police were using force to move people away so I just kept moving down the street."

Earlier in the trial, fellow accused Nicholas Ward, 39, of Foxwood Road, Birchmoor, in Tamworth, said he was seen on CCTV because he was being pushed by the crowd down the street.

He said: "The police were sending us down the road. I wanted to go to the game but because of the situation I was pushed down the road."

Both defendants, as well as Jordan Banks, 18, of Peach Road, Willenhall, Ricky Bates, 27, of Church Street, Tipton, Stourbridge, Ryan Richardson, 30, of Ambleside Close, Bradley, and Nicholas Smith, 40, of Alder Road, Wednesbury, deny affray.

Banks and Smith also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of affray, while Ryan Richardson admitted a second affray charge.

Brazil- Colombia - 04/07/2014

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

Colombian TV stars fight with Brazilians in a restaurant as tension rises ahead of World Cup quarter final clash

The Colombians, spending time in Brazil supporting the outsiders in Friday's game, were then thrown out of the Brazilian eatery.
Manolo Cardona and Carolina Guerra are the two Colombians identified in the video as things got heated - although it is unclear who started the disagreement.
Cardona is an actor while Guerra is a television presenter.
Video from the restaurant shows plates being thrown and a widespread scuffle as one man is left with a bleeding head wound and punters try to drag those involved away from each other.
Onlookers seemed shocked by the disturbance and police are at the scene to deal with the matter towards the end of the clip.
Brazil and Colombia both face huge pressure as the World Cup reaches its climax and both sides are desperate to progress in Friday's game.

Argentina - Switzerland - 01/07/2014

Source : Mail

A fight erupted between argentina and brazil fans. Stewards intervened.

Netherland - Costa Rica - 05/07/2014

Source : http://www.ticotimes.net

2 Costa Rica fans stabbed, another hit with a bottle in Plaza de la Democracia while watching Netherlands match

The Public Security Ministry (MSP) released a statement Saturday evening reporting that Red Cross responders attended to three victims from a fight that broke out in the capital’s Plaza de la Democracia. Two victims were injured from a stabbing and a third who was hit with a bottle. Police arrested eight involved in the disturbance, including one suspect identified by the last names Delgadillo Ruiz who was wanted on a weapon possession charge.

Authorities still don’t know what started the brawl that interrupted an otherwise peaceful gathering. More than 1,000 fans watched Costa Rica and the Netherlands battle for a spot in the World Cup semifinals on a large LED screen at the plaza in downtown San José.

Tico Times reporter Lindsay Fendt, who was at the scene, said that fans toward the back of the plaza did not realize what was unfolding in front of them and continued cheering the national team.

An ambulance arrived soon arrived to the area and removed the injured on stretchers.

Police and spectators rushed to assist injured Costa Rican fans at the Plaza de la Democracia in San José. Three people were reportedly injured, although the extent of those injuries has not yet been confirmed by authorities.

Fans  gathered in the capital’s public plaza to watch the match. Police have sealed off the scene of the alleged crime and are investigating.

Ipswich v Norwich derby: Police reverse kick-off plans - 05/07/2014

Source : http://www.bbc.com

Police have decided against recommending the East Anglian football derby is played on a day when trains services face severe disruption.

Norwich City and Ipswich Town fans criticised moves by Suffolk Police to switch the game at Ipswich's Portman Road ground from 23 to 24 August.

It emerged engineering works would mean a lack of trains.

Asst Chief Constable David Skevington said trains were "an issue" and "would restrict the ability to travel."

Suffolk Police met with "interested parties" again on Friday and is now recommending the match takes place on 23 August with a 12:15 BST kick-off, when the trains are running.

Robin Sainty, spokesman for the Norwich City Supporters Trust, said: "We were furious, because there are disrupted rail services to Ipswich for fans travelling from Norwich and London.

"We're pleased it looks like it will now be played on the Saturday, but we still don't see why it can't be a 3 o'clock kick-off."

The Football League originally scheduled the game for 15:00 BST on the Saturday, prompting Suffolk Police to request a 12:00 BST kick-off on the Sunday.

The force said there had been 19 arrests and 13 ejections at Portman Road when the teams met in April 2011.

Norwich City fans complained about their treatment that day.

Carl Day, member of the Ipswich Town Supporters' Trust, said: "I'm pleased the game is back on the Saturday. I can understand the early kick-off as this reduces the time for people to go drinking, but 90% of the fans, both Ipswich and Norwich, are genuine supporters and just want to be there to follow the team."

Mr Skevington said: "A lunchtime kick-off is preferred because there are fans out there who drink to excess and cause issues and if we can cut down on that drinking time, that makes it a much more pleasurable and safer event for fans."

The Football League will now consider the new date and kick-off time recommended by Suffolk Police.


Police made more than a dozen arrests at the derby clash in 2011

Argentina - Belgium - 05/07/2014

Source : http://www.themalaymailonline.com

Argentine hooligan who posed as Swiss fan arrested

An Argentine hooligan who entered Brazil illegally and appeared at World Cup games disguised as a Swiss fan was arrested today at the Argentina-Belgium game, Brazilian officials said.

Pablo Alvarez, leader of the fan club of Argentina’s Independiente soccer club, was on a list of 2,000 Argentine fans with a record of violence at matches who were banned from entering Brazil for the World Cup.

Alvarez defied police by attending Argentina games dressed as a Swiss fan and then posting photos of himself on Facebook, face painted red-and-white and wearing a Switzerland scarf.

Argentine police officers monitoring their country’s fans at Saturday’s game spotted him with binoculars wearing a shirt of Brazil’s most popular soccer club Flamengo and alerted Brazilian police who arrested him pending deportation to Argentina.

So far 40 Argentine fans with records of hooliganism as members of Argentina’s violence-prone “barras bravas” fan clubs have been deported thanks to enhanced police cooperation during the World Cup that has led to the capture of five foreign criminals, Brazil’s federal police said.

Some 15,000 Argentina fans watched their team led by star forward Lionel Messi defeat Belgium 1-0 in Brasilia and go through to the semifinals.

After the game, Argentine fans almost came to blows with Brazilian fans who taunted them outside the stadium by chanting that their soccer legend Pelé was greater than Argentina’s idol Diego Maradona. Riot police separated them.

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Source : http://www.gosanangelo.com

Argentine hooligan leader detained

Brazil’s Justice Ministry says police have detained the alleged leader of Argentina’s infamous football hooligans inside a World Cup stadium.

The ministry says Pablo Alvarez was taken into custody Saturday at the Brasilia stadium where Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

A ministry statement says Alvarez will be deported after federal police, and Argentine police working with them in Brazil, have finished taking statements from him.

Brazilian authorities have taken precautions to halt known hooligans from entering Brazil for the World Cup, and are deporting those who make it inside the country.

Earlier in the tournament, two suspected members of Argentina’s hooligan gangs were deported after being detained.


Pablo Alvarez (sitting next to the driver in this picture) is supposedly leader of Argentina’s infamous football hooligans.

France - Germany - 04/07/2014

Source : http://www.metronews.fr

One french fan was seriously beaten up by 7 policemen inside the stadium.

England : Seven football fans arrested during dawn raids- 07/07/2014

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

SEVEN men were arrested this morning during a series of dawn raids in connection with football related violence.

Warrants were executed between 6am and 6.30am at five residential addresses in Swindon and two in Wantage to arrest outstanding offenders for violent disorder.

All seven men, aged between 17 and 47, remain in custody at Gablecross Police Station at this time.

The disorder took place at 7pm on Saturday April 12 in the Manchester Road area, close to the Tap and Barrel pub. The incident took place straight after the Swindon Town Vs Brentford football match.

The warrants took place following detailed police enquiries after the incident due to the large numbers of people involved.

Officers from across the Force were used in the operation, including support from specialist officers from the Tri-force collaboration with Gloucestershire Police and Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

As part of the operation there has been close liaison between Local Crime Team investigators, Football Intelligence Officers, Central Sector Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Licensing Officers at Wiltshire Police.

Inspector Paul Saunders, Sector Head for the Town Centre, said: “A lot of time, effort and planning has gone into identifying these offenders, gathering all the required evidence and preparing for the early morning arrests which we have carried out today.

“The disorder was disgraceful and had a knock on effect for the local community. It also brings with it unwanted associations for the football club.

“ The actions of these people tarnish the reputation of real football fans, who are actually interested in the game and what is taking place on the field, and not the drunken brawling which a minority seem to be focused on.

“The message for those involved is quite simple: just because you don’t get arrested on the day does not mean that we won’t be coming for you at some point in the future, and certainly doesn’t mean you have got away with it.

"If we can identify you, then you will be getting that early morning knock on the door and we will hold you to account for your actions.”

As part of the investigation into this incident, Swindon Licensing Officers are also working with the owners and management of The Tap And Barrel public house.

Wiltshire Police Licensing officer Sian Kalynka, said: "Alcohol is often a contributing factor in incidents such as this and, from a licensing perspective, we have to make sure that licensed premises linked to these type of offences are also engaged as part of the investigation.

“Responsibility under the Licensing Act does not necessarily stop when people leave a venue, if a causal link can be proven then a venue can face serious consequences, which is why early engagement with landlords and owners is key to preventing future disorders.”

England : Football banning order for Wolves fan - 08/07/2014

Source : http://www.expressandstar.com

A teenage Wolves fan has been banned from attending any football matches in the country for three years after running on the pitch during the game against Rotherham earlier this year.

John Shaw, aged 18, ran along the touchline swearing and gesturing at away fans in the second half of the game, which saw four pitch invasions following a flurry of late goals, a court heard.

The season ticket holder has now banned from entering any football grounds for the next three years and travelling on trains three hours before or after a match.

Shaw admitted using threatening and abusive words with intent to provoke violence, and going onto the playing area at the football match.

Mr Roger Blezzard, prosecuting, said Shaw was seen by police officers running down the touchline shouting 'come on then' towards Rotherham United fans.

Mr Blezzard said: "He has no previous convictions but has a caution for an identical matter relating to an earlier part of the season, against Crawley when he was a youth.

"This young man decided to go onto the pitch area between the touchline and advertising boardings, and ran with his arms outstretched shouting "come on then" to opposing fans.

"In this context, where there had already been some rather heated outbursts by some fans, this is always likely to cause some sort of disorder at a football ground.

"In the heat of the moment, football fans do very strange things."

Mr Simon Hanns, for Shaw, said the trainee quantity surveyor went to the police station with a letter saying he was disgraced with his behaviour and invited the football banning order.

He said: "He accepts that he had rather stupidly got in with the wrong crowd.

"It was foolish, naive and stupid and that is from the horses mouth.

"His behaviour could have caused more disorder but luckily it did not.

"What he has done since show remorse and that he is going to put this behind him.

"For the next three years, he won't be going to Wolves games, no matter how successful the continue to be, and that is huge for him."

Mr Alan Penduck, chair of the magistrates, said: "What you did at the end of the season was plain stupidity.

"It is a great punishment for you that you cannot go to the Molineux for the next three years."

Shaw was also given a conditional discharge for six months, and ordered to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Brazil - Germany - 08/07/2014

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

Riot police descended on Copacabana beach amid reports of gunfire as Brazil were demolished 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final.

An armed gang carried out a 'mass robbery' on a bar in a fanpark where thousands were watching the match on a big screen, according to reports.

They ransacked the bar, firing shots into the air and stole bags and jewellery.

Terrified supporters fled the scene in panic as Brazilian riot police moved in.

Journalists reported 'loud bangs' which they believed to be gunfire.

Pictures emerged of several arrests and flags being burnt amid reports of fans fighting among themselevs.

Inside the stadium, fans were left in floods of tears as they watch their team humiliated.





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

Brazil fans set bus on fire in Sao Paulo after World Cup defeat but trouble at a minimum across the country

Brazilian police were on high alert following their country's humiliating exit from the World Cup as they feared angry fans could riot after the defeat.
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side were thrashed 7-1 in the semi-final by Germany in Belo Horizonte.
And while the wide spread rioting that was feared did not happen, there were some reports of trouble in and around the stadium after the game and in other cities across Brazil.
The Brazilian cities which played host to fierce protests before the tournament were mostly calm after the match.
Although authorities were called to a densely-populated area of Sao Paulo after supporters reportedly set a bus alight, leaving it as little more than a burnt-out shell.
Security was beefed up around the stadium as one fan, Samir Kelvin, clung to a streetlamp and cried: 'I have nothing left! I am Brazilian and humiliated I want to kill myself.'
A woman shouted 'What shame, what shame!' as a man nearby banged his head against a bar table.

100,000 Argentina fans expected in Rio for World Cup final - 12/07/2014

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

Organisers expect around 100,000 Argentina fans to descend on Rio for the World Cup final on Sunday, most of them without a ticket.
That has led to concerns about possible clashes with Brazilians, so the authorities have announced that they will draft in 26,000 soldiers, police and private security staff for the day.

Brazil-Argentina fans clash, 12 hurt - 11/07/2014

Source : http://bdnews24.com

The World Cup battle has apparently spilled into Kotaliparha of Gopalganj.

Twelve supporters of rivals Argentina and Brazil were injured in a midnight scuffle at Uttarparha village on Friday.

Idris Sheikh, 45, Tota Shikder, 50, Bacchu Sikder, 28, Montaz Uddin, 70, Sufia Begum, 65, Hasina Begum, 50, and Forhazul Sikder, 84, are being treated at Kotaliparha Upazila Health Complex.

The remaining five were released after providing primary medical care.

Mizan Sikdar, a fan of the Argentines, teased Seleção supporter Idris Sheikh after praying Tarabi, said Kotaliparha Police OC Abdul Latif.

"The argument soon turned into fisticuffs injuring 12 including an elderly woman."

No case was filed over the incident and the situation in the village returned to normal, said OC Latif.

Brazil suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat at home ground against Germany during the semi-finals on July 8. Argentina on the other hand beat Netherlands on penalties to reach the finals.

The rivalry, of which the country is reminded of every four years, has led to the death of an 18-year old at Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha on Jun 18.

Milon Hossain died after being hit by a stone during a clash between Argentina and Brazil supporters.

Two Argentine supporters from Jurain and Mohammadpur had died after being struck by lightning while trying to tie flags to rooftop poles.

Lincoln City - Doncaster Rovers - friendly - 12/07/2014

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

Football fans arrested after trouble at Lincoln City V Doncaster Rovers friendly

Seven people have been arrested after trouble broke out between Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City fans.

The incident happened during and after Saturday’s friendly at Sincil Bank.

Police described the trouble as “incidents of disorder”.

Germany - Argentina - 13/07/2014

Source : http://www.bbc.com

World Cup defeat leads to clashes in Buenos Aires



Thousands of people had earlier gathered around at the city's Obelisk monument to party despite the result.

However, later in the evening, the scene turned violent as dozens of youths began throwing rocks at police and damaging store fronts.

At least 50 people were detained and 15 police officers were reported injured.

The mood among the crowd that had gathered after the match was initially good-natured, the BBC's Wyre Davies reports from Buenos Aires.

However, late on Sunday evening rioting broke out on the Avenida 9 de Julio, the city's main thoroughfare, our correspondent reports.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at rioters, as well as using water cannon. Some incidents of looting were also reported.

Two TV trucks in the area were also set upon by rioters, according to the Clarin newspaper. Ambulances were also reportedly attacked.

Local media reported that hardcore football fans were responsible for some of the violence.

Parents could be seen running away from the violence with their children.

Before the violence, many had gathered to celebrate Argentina's performance in the tournament, with many saying they were still proud of the team.

"We have nothing to regret, we played first rate," Horacio Laseira told AP.









Rio de Janeiro :

SK České Budějovice - SK Slavia Prague - friendly - 13/07/2014

Source : http://isport.blesk.cz

Troubles errupted during this game.

Translation Underground Fans

CSKA Sofia - Zimbru Chisinau - 17/07/2014

Source : Mail

Notts County - Derby County - friendly - 17/07/2014

Source : Mail

Derby lads

Nuneaton Town - Coventry City - friendly - 13/07/2014

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

Coventry fans invade pitch during storm

Excitable Coventry fans didn't let the weather get them down as they invaded the pitch in a friendly vs Nuneaton that was called off after an extreme storm made the game unplayable.

UEFA shuts PSG stands over abuse of disabled Chelsea fans - 22/07/2014

Source : http://www.ad-hoc-news.de

French club Paris Saint-German were ordered by UEFA to close part of their stadium as punishment for their supporters' abuse of disabled Chelsea fans during their Champions League quarter-final match in April.

UEFA said that it had ordered a one-match closure of sectors 104 and 105 of the Parc des Princes, the club's home stadium in the French capital.

"The sanction has been imposed for the discriminatory conduct of some Paris Saint-Germain supporters towards disabled fans of Chelsea," UEFA said.

Disabled fans' rights campaigners hailed the announcement.

"We welcome the determined decision taken by UEFA which sends a clear message to all clubs that abuse of disabled fans will not be tolerated," Joyce Cook, head of the Centre for Access to Football in Europe said in a statement emailed to AFP.

The sanction applies to the next European club competition match in which PSG play as hosts.

The Parisians have an automatic berth in the group stage of this season's Champions League and therefore go into action in September.

During the April 2 first-leg quarter-final -- in which PSG beat the Londoners 3-1 -- a group of disabled Chelsea fans were seated among the home supporters due to a lack of facilities in the visitors' stands.

- hail of abuse -

They were subjected to a hail of abuse, spat on, and pelted with plastic bottles.

"It seemed like I was sitting in hell and it was something that I had no control over," Chelsea supporter Lisa Hayden, a wheelchair user, recently told the BBC.

"I felt no-one had our backs: there were 10 of us and thousands of them and I didn't think we were going to get out of there," she added.

Chelsea won the April 8 second leg at Stamford Bridge 2-0, ejecting PSG due to the away goals rule.

In May, Mike Penning, then Britain's disabilities minister, called on UEFA to consider throwing PSG out of this season's Champions League.

He also pointed to the problem of seating for supporters with disabilities, which has likewise been flagged up at several English Premier League clubs.

"Disabled fans are fans and they shouldn't be treated any differently. They should be sat with their own fans and be able to enjoy the game like everyone else," Penning, now the policing minister, told the BBC at the time.

On Tuesday, campaigner Cook said the UEFA decision was a timely wake-up call for football.

"This was a particularly unpleasant incident with the Chelsea disabled fans abused and threatened by a minority of home fans whom they were confronted by based on being in the wrong place through no fault of their own," she said.

"This could have happened at a number of European clubs where disabled away fans have no choice but to sit with the opposing home fans," she said.

She said it was discrimination to provide disabled fans with a "lesser experience" at matches, all the more so when it left them "vulnerable and subject to abuse purely because they are disabled".

The Parc des Princes is one of the stadiums due to hold games at Euro 2016 when France hosts the flagship international tournament.

Cook said that "significant access improvements" were already in the pipeline there.

Aberdeen FC - FC Groningen - 17/07/2014

Source : Mail

Groningen mob

Brazil : Internacional - Flamengo - 20/07/2014

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

Flamengo team bus protected by riot police as angry fans gather

After Flamengo were demolished 4-0 by Internacional former Arsenal defender Andre Santos was attacked by a fan, and the team bus had to be protected from angry supporters by riot police as it left the stadium.

England : Sheffield United hooligans jailed after smashing up Leeds pub - 22/07/2014

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

Four Sheffield United hooligans have been jailed for a terrifying attack on drinkers at a pub in Leeds.

People were punched and kicked, chairs thrown and windows broken, with an estimated £3,000 of damage caused in the incident in December 2012.

Violence erupted in Spencers pub in Leeds city centre when a group of United fans, including some members of the ‘Blades Business Group’ hooligan group, called in on their way back to Sheffield from a game against Carlisle United.

Sentencing the group at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Christopher Batty said they had specifically targeted the pub because it was known as being used by Leeds supporters.

The group had hired a coach to take them to the game and either told or persuaded the driver to use a little known route to Carlisle to bypass the police reception there, which would have escorted those on organised transport to the game.

After the game the coach stopped in Leeds and they went to the bar where the trouble started.

Judge Batty said there had been few if any Leeds fans in the bar but the group were not deterred from carrying out their attack.

There was chanting of BBC – Blades Business Crew - outside before the attack began with bottles being thrown.

Judge Batty said it was a terrifying ordeal for the ordinary members of the public drinking there.

He said: “This was planned and organised large scale public disorder played out in the name of the club you claim to support. I suspect genuine fans would be disgusted at what you did.”

Curtis Noel, aged 31, of Spring Vale Walk, Upperthorpe, Ashley Butler, 24 of Kirby Road, Gleadless, and Phillip White, 28 of Stainforth Avenue, Eckington, Derbyshire, were each jailed for four months while Alex Freeman, 20, of Oldfield Road, Stannington, was sent to youth custody for four months.

All were sentenced for threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Elliott Smith, 19 of Ravenscroft Road, Stradbroke, and Sam Civil, 18 of Woodstock Road, Sheffield, were each given a 12 month community order with 250 hours unpaid work and £600 costs for the same offence.

Luke Fleischer, 18, of Swinston Hill Road, Dinnington, was given a 12 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and £250 costs.

Judge Batty told the three teenagers: “No doubt you think it clever to be hanging around with these guys but you have seen it isn’t.”

Blades Business Crew

Groningen v Aberdeen: Police to travel with Dons fans for Europa League qualifying second leg - 23/07/2014

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

A THOUSAND Aberdeen fans are expected to make the trip across the North Sea for Thursday's tie and police say they will make the journey as a precaution although they are not expecting trouble.

POLICE from the north-east are preparing to travel to Holland with Aberdeen fans ahead of tomorrow night's clash with FC Groningen in an effort to combat trouble.

In the 1980 and 1990s Aberdeen fans had a reputation for hooliganism but Superintendent Innes Walker, who will be leading the Police Scotland team, insisted that image is long gone.

“We’ve come a long way, we have an excellent reputation in terms of football policing in Aberdeen and have a good working relationship with Aberdeen football club.

"The 1980s, and to some extent the 1990s, saw Aberdeen with a dreadful reputation for hooliganism across Scotland. We have done a lot of work now to reduce that and I have to say we experience very little trouble now.”

He warned however that there was still a small number of fans who looked to cause trouble at matches and that Scottish officers would be on hand in Holland to identify them.

“There are a very small minority of Dons fans, people who are connected to Aberdeen FC, who would look to cause trouble. We manage them and that’s why we’re going to Holland, to identify them if they turn up and make sure they don’t cause any problems. At the end of the day, what they will do is drag the reputation of Aberdeen FC and the great city of Aberdeen down and that’s the last thing we want.

“At the moment it looks like about 1,000 Aberdeen supporters will make the trip across there. They have an excellent reputation both across Europe and Scotland for being good, fair and well-behaved supporters and I expect the vast majority will behave in that manner.”

Derek McInnes’s men drew the first leg 0-0 last week and they do not need to win Thursday’s game to see themselves into the next round. A score draw would take them through thanks to the away goals rule.

Although some Dutch clubs - including the likes of Ajax and Feyenoord - have a reputation for hooliganism Superintendent Walker said he had no particular concerns about Groningen.

“I don’t feel the reputation of Groningen is hugely significant. They do have a hooligan element who affiliate themselves to the club – they were very well managed in Aberdeen by the Groningen police who came over, they also brought stewards over – we had no real issues with them. I’m anticipating it will be roughly the same in Groningen.

“Yes there will be people looking for trouble but I think with effective policing we’ll hopefully make it a remote chance of any trouble. Certain clubs have different reputations for hooliganism, Groningen is not particularly bad.

“Our main reason for going is we want to keep people safe, it’s great to see the club doing well because it creates occasions like we had last Thursday in the city where we had quite a colourful party from Groningen and there was a bit of a buzz about the place.”

Dutch authorities have sectioned a “fan zone” in an area of bars in the centre of Groningen called Poeleplein and Poelestraat. The area is 2.6 km from the Euroborg Stadium and fans encouraged to gather there.

Aberdeen Soccer Casuals

Cyprus: Hooligan bill passed - 23/07/2014

Source : http://incyprus.philenews.com

The House on Wednesday passed a long-awaited bill to prevent violence at football matches by enforcing strict penalties on offenders.
All parties, with the exception of opposition Akel, voted in favour of the bill.
Among other things the new legislation aims to tackle hooligan anonymity through the introduction of a fan card which comes into effect on January 1, 2015. Football supporters will be required to present the card before purchasing a ticket.
Addressing concerns that the bill was rushed through, Chairman of the House Legal Affairs Committee Soteris Sampson said the legislation was studied in depth for an adequate period of time before being put to the vote.
“It is the opinion of everyone here today that violence at matches must no longer be tolerated. It is time for the state to take measures against these groups of troublemakers that terrorise society.”
Sampson called on the government to soon submit another bill to parliament addressing sport violence that occurs outside of stadiums.
Green Party MP George Perdikis said the previous government failed to address the hooligan menace, blaming the lack of pro-activity on political party links to club supporters groups.
“Hooliganism is essentially the result of negative behaviour from a small group of the population that are now faced with serious penalties if they continue to break the law.”
Akel MP Aristos Damianou expressed his party’s opinion that the bill was rushed through and voice concern over fans reactions to the strict regulations it enforces.
“Based on the results of thousands of studies on this issue we know that enforcing harsh penalties in stadiums that are visited by thousands of fans can have negative results.”
He added that each time governments have used a hard-line approach to combat violent behaviour the results have been the opposite of what was intended.
“Unfortunately this bill has been approved without any social dialogue having first taken place. There are many asphyxiating deadlines to meet and five first division clubs have expressed they cannot afford to implement many of the security measures stipulated in the bill.”
Diko MP Antonis Antoniou said it is common knowledge that the escalating violent behaviour of hooligans at matches is a threat to society.
“We let the problem escalate until it became out of hand thus requiring harsh measures to combat it.”
Minister of Justice Ioanas Nicolaou said he was displeased with some of the amendments made to the bill by MPs, adding that he is awaiting a copy of the final bill draft for examination.
Nicolaou expressed confidence that the law will help increase safety at matches following a number of violent incidents this year that brought shame to football on the island as well as wider society.
The bill provides stadium bans of up to 10 years for troublemakers, harsher prison sentences as well as stringent seating regulations and more effective stewarding. The responsibility for handling the fan card database has been taken on by the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
Following a last-minute amendment to the bill football clubs will not be covering the cost of additional policing at matches.