Season 00/01 - March

Darlington - Hartlepool - 10/03/2001

Source: The Northern Echo

Police use CS spray as 13 fans arrested after rivals clash

From the Northern Echo, first published Sunday 11th Mar 2001.

THIRTEEN people were arrested after rival football supporters clashed after Darlington's match with Hartlepool at the weekend.

Police used CS spray when violence flared following the 1-1 draw at Feethams on Saturday.

The trouble started while Hartlepool fans were being escorted to the town's Bank Top railway station.

Darlington supporters in pubs in Victoria Road tried to charge into the street to confront the Hartlepool fans.

A window in the Dalesman pub was smashed and CS spray was used to prevent one Darlington supporter from causing trouble.

Police confirmed yesterday that 13 arrests were made. Some supporters were arrested for running onto the pitch during the sell-out game. Others were arrested afterwards for criminal damage and public order-related offences.

Inspector Eddie Bond, of Darlington police, said: "For his own safety, a police officer used CS gas spray on one person in the pub.

"Most of the arrests were for minor offences, and we believe we coped well with such a high-profile match."

But supporters who witnessed the violence appeared to disagree with the police version of events.

Posting views on a Darlington FC website last night, one supporter wrote: "Police used CS gas and batons to control the Darlington fans, and a number of innocents were caught up in the general disturbance.

"Cue images of real fans struggling not to be sick and rubbing their eyes while pub windows were smashed with bar stools and anything that wasn't nailed down."

The fan added: "When everything calmed, everyone piled into the street to be met by the sight of Hartlepool fans lying beaten on the floor and being attended to by the police and ambulance."

Another supporter claimed he was set upon by 15 Hartlepool supporters, one of whom was carrying a knife.

Writing on their own website, Hartlepool supporters said hooligans threw bricks and glasses at the travelling fans, who included women and children.

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Nottingham Forest - 05/03/2001

Source: Birmingham 101 online Magazine

Ten people have been arrested after clashes between rival football supporters, West Midlands police said. Officers were attacked during ugly scenes at the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest at Molineux. West Midlands police confirmed they are studying video footage and have not ruled out further arrests.

Spartak Moscow - CSKA Moscow - 30/03/2001

Source: Reuters

Moscow police arrested 669 people after riots broke out before and during Saturday's derby between fierce city rivals Spartak and CSKA. A police statement on Monday said 63 fans and three police were hurt, both in clashes before the match and the riot that broke out when Spartak scored the only goal of the match at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium. Twenty-seven people were taken to hospital with injuries while 42 fans were locked up for being drunk, the statement added. Rioters also tore up 1,436 orange plastic seats to use as missiles. The fans fought in the center of Moscow before the match, resulting in nine arrests and 11 injuries. The main incidents occurred at the stadium, however, where another 660 were arrested. Russian television showed hundreds of rival fans charging at each other, throwing punches and wielding the seats they had ripped up. The fans then separated into two groups and hurled the seats at each other. Fans claimed that the police later beat individual fans as they left the stadium, allegedly lashing out indiscriminately at fans regardless of whether or not they were involved in the trouble. Spartak fans possess the reputation of being the most volatile in the Russian premier league. Spartak, champions for the last five years in a row, were the most heavily fined club in the league last year due to their fans misbehavior.

Report from Spartak
This was one of the greatest days in the history of Spartak hools. We beat the scum! There were many clashes all over the city that day, but some of them were really huge and involved both sides' hard core. First clash kicked off at one of the railway stations, where about 80 Spartak young hools attacked a smaller group of CSKA lads and beat them up. After that about 250 Spartak hools (top firms) gathered right in the centre of the city, doing it on purpose so that they were soon spotted by CSKA scouts. So about 200 CSKA hools came in about 15 minutes and the troubles began. An enourmous and cruel fight lasted a few minutes, and when CSKA's first line was all lying on the ground the rest of their hools had to run. Spartak lads ran after them and finished up the business, knocking and kicking down every CSKA hool. There was also another fight at one of the underground stations, where about 50 Spartak hools and 30 CSKA lads clashed, and here we won again. The game itself wasn't visited by the major part of Spartak's hard core, but during all the game our youngsters were riotting at the terraces using fireworks and beating the police up. It was really mad and violent. A great derby!


Report in the words of a CSKA ultra:
It' s been the biggest and probably the severest fight for the last 2 years. First of all, i should mention that CSKA fans and Spartak fans madly hate each other. So 2 days before derby day every fan in Moscow knew that it should be a great fight. Everything started on "Moscow-3"(one of Moscow railway station). We decided to gather our hardcore there at 13.00. Half an hour before all CSKA fans came to that place, over 50-60 Spartak ultas kicked our youngsters and disappered. Fuck. We got extremely angry. We were late for only 5 or 10 minutes. As usual... Spars(supporters of Spartak Moscow) managed to escape in time, but one part of them(about 30-40) met with 100 of our ultras near metro-station Alexseevskaya on their way from Moscow-3. Bad luck for spars. Our guys kicked their asses easily. Then, when all our hardcore get together, our mob (about 300) went to Kitai-Gorog(another metro-station) to meet there with main spars's mob. Our scouts informed us of the place of their meeting. When we came there, 300-350 Spars were already waiting for us near metro. Our mob on 2 parts. Some guys went upstairs to fight with them in park, the othrs wanted to meet Spars in metro. Finally it spoiled everything. The first group, near 50 or 60 CSKA ultras, clashed with Spars in park. I must also mention that nearly 80% of Spartak fans fought with "shit": bottles, iron fixtures, baseball bats, some people say, they saw knifes. Some our guys also were with bottles. But it comes in no comparison with Spars. They crashed our first group. The fight lasted more then 10 minutes, but it was impossible to resist their attack. 300 Spartak ultras with shit against 50 CSKA fans without anyting-it's not real. The defeated the first group and started fighting with the rest of our guys running out of metro. But it was just small groups of 10 or 20 fans. No chance. They made the rest of hardcore run. It was our tactical defeat. They attacked together and won, we tried to fight on single and lost. It would be a great lesson for us. About 660 fans were arrested, 23 were injured-it's an official information. Of course, real figures are more horrifying. One more factor that made us loose. THE SHIT. Spartak fans started using shit 3 years ago and has been using it in fights since then. We tried to stop it. We did our best. Fair play was our main principle. It was our ideology. Enough.... They wanted war-they'll get it.

Paris SG - Galatasaray - 13/03/2001

Source : Mail (photos) + Soccer Fans website (reports)

A large crowd of PSG met at a bar near the Parc des Princes before the game, as with every big match. Rumours were going
round of a charge being imminent, just as a little warm-up before the real fun started. Another rumour had it that around
fifty English lads were hanging around outside the ground looking for similar entertainment.
Soon, there were sporadic charges every 15 or so minutes, it was at this moment that the numerous police reinforcements
turned up. Despite their numbers and the use of barricades, the large numbers of PSG were able to push the cops away from
the scene, without too much difficulty. It was notable that a family of Turks who stumbled upon this group of 100 or so,
were not touched - a pretty rare occurrence!
The CRS charges tended to piss PSG off. They decided to focus their intention instead on groups of turks around the stadium.
Even though many circuits of the Parc were made, PSG didn't have much luck in finding any, save a few loners with flags and
scarves - which they soon found confiscated! The frustration at not finding much to do led to tensions between the Parisiens
themselves (a few internal battles breaking out) which were increased by rumours of gangs of turks going round picking off
lone Parisiens.
Suddenly a group of around 20 Gala fans were spotted, chased and caught. They were well turned over, and there was even a
guest appearance from an iron bar on one poor turk who made the mistake of trying to bring his flag into the ground.
Hopefully he won't be trying that again!
Some plain clothes than jumped on this group who had with them, and some 30 CRS soon afterward. This went on for some time
until eventually the well-outnumbered cops legged it. PSG were well on top of everything at this stage. Something that would
continue for the whole night.
20 h 30. The Parc was almost full, save for about 5000 turks grouped around the two curves in the Auteuil stand. This is
where it went off.
Half-time, pissed off by the score (2-0) the turks tried to have it with the PSG fans on that end of the ground. The
violence than started, encouraged by the more hardcore Boulogne Boys on the other side of the ground. A few turks had to
escape onto the pitch itself such was the fear and the late entrance by the CRS only served to make matters worse in the
eyes of the PSG fans, who felt that more police attention needed to be paid to the Gala fans than to them.
There wasn't any full on PSG - Gala confrontation, although if there had been, PSG would undoubtedly have massacred them.
The conclusion is that PSG were well on top outside the stadium where Gala were inexistent. Gala were pretty active inside
the ground although they were at the opposite end of most of the PSG boys. When PSG did get it together on that side of the
ground, they came out well on top though.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before the game, more than 500 Paris hooligans (300 top lads) clashed very violently during 2 hours with +/- 1000 cops, who used a lot of tear gas. Many Turk supporters were beaten up, one bus and some cars were attacked. It was a real "Turkish hunt". Cops found it difficulty to scatter the Parisians. There were a lot of people wounded. It was pure madness, the TV spoke about "urban warfare". Before kick-off, some PSG supporters violently forced open the gates of the Boulogne tribune, cops had to intervene again, and used their truncheons and tear gas. There were 6000 Turk supporters. After the begining of the second half, incidents burst out between the Turks who used belts and flag poles, and PSG supporters from the higher "Auteuil tribune" who broke a barrier and came face to face with the Turks. At the same time, PSG hooligans from the "Boulogne tribune" broke barriers of their tribune, and 60 of them came to fight with the Turks in the lower tribune. Very violent clashes broke out between supporters, the Turks ran away and jumped over the barriers and ran on to the pitch. Some Turks were seriously beaten up. The referee stopped
the game for 25 minutes. The CRS (french cops) took position everywhere in the stadium, and used tear gas again. After the game, there were more fights, the cops intervened again. In total there were 56 people wounded, of which 17 were taken to hospital (only one guy wounded came from Turkey, others were Turks who came from France, Belgium and Germany).

KRC Genk - FC Antwerp - 03/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

After the game some riots occured outside the stadium. Antwerp lads tried to break out of the heavily secured visitors parking place. They started throwing stones and other things at Genk fans on the other side of the fence. Genk fans started to throw back. One fan(Genk or Antwerp???) was badly wounded, and some cars were damaged, also different fights occured. OB used the water-cannon to keep the Antwerp fans away from the fence, and they used horses and batons to disperse the Genk mob. After the busses with Antwerp fans were escorted away, all remained calm. Several Genk fans were arrested and 2 police officers were injured.

Siirt Jetpaspor - Gaziantepspor - 03/03/2001

Source: Reuters

At least 19 people were injured when violence erupted at a Turkish first division match between Siirt Jetpaspor and Gaziantepspor on Saturday. Trouble flared between players, club officials and the referee after he gave a last minute penalty to Gaziantepspor, Anatolian news agency said. Four police were among the injured as fighting spread to the crowd. Two people were seriously hurt, CNN Turk television said. The Gaziantepspor players left the stadium under tight security after their 2-1 win, Anatolian said.

Leeds United - Manchester United - 03/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Report sent in by a Man Utd lad

There have alrady been some sensible and acurate posts regarding yesterdays action, so here is what I saw. After the game United left the ground and turned left, we have done this now for the past 3 years and in the last two seasons we would meet under the tunnel and then walk round to that roundabout and then up that road that leads to the foot of the bridge. This time though the police covered that so instead we just went straight on, there were only 3 coppers trying to stop us and with the road being so wide we managed to keep going. 10 United at the front went into about the same number of Leeds and chased them up to the bridge until we came to the line of old bill. Then the Leeds who were waiting there came at us but there were loads of coppers there so they were pushed back. We came back down the road, but the police attention was on us so the rest of the lads managed to go left onto the roundabout and by the time I got there were going through a hole in a fence which led onto some playing fields. We ran through the playing fields and into an estate and by the time I arrived it was already going off at the end of the road in a little corner which led onto the the next road. Leeds were tooled up, there were bins, bricks, bikes, for sale signs, chairs, big planks of wood the lot. Now when you have weapons I think it is a mistake to throw them because all you are doing there is giving the other firm weapons the throw back. But Leeds did throw them,as did United, which led to a couple of minutes of the missiles going back and forth, Leeds losing ground slightly, and injuries on both sides. I don't know how many Leeds had there because I had my eyes on more important things than counting them, like the bricks that kept just missing my head. What I did think was that they had a lot at the back who threw a load of shit and then got off when we advanced, and there were about 10 at the front who really wanted it and were game as fuck. Young lad in a blue t-shirt, small lad with shoulder length hair in a light stone island coat. After a couple of minutes most of United saw some other Leeds down a ginnle and went for them, this led to the lads at the corner thinking we were running and they came out onto the street, however we just turned and ran at them and pushed them back into the corner. At this point the only two coppers present tried to stand between us, they were the two United and Leeds coppers. A massive plank of wood hit the United copper on the back of the head, thrown by Leeds, and they got out of the way. Their faces said, 'we'll leave it to you lot'. We backed Leeds further back, into the next road and then the robocops arrived so we went back round and walked through the side streets, then Leeds came at us again, with another hail of bricks. More fighting, again Leeds end up getting off with one of their main kids, name starts with J?, getting knocked spark out by one of United's legends because he stood while his mates did one on him. After this we were rounded up by the coppers, we got to a pub, and Leeds were there again but it was too late now, police all over us. By this time they looked to have about 60. Whether this is all they had, or a lot had got off during the row I don't know. Leeds seemed to be all over the city centre but they were too late. Credit to them for having it for so long but it was our day and we got a great result.

Hellas Verona - Atalanta Bergamo - 03/03/2001

Source: Tifonet

Troubles at Verona-Atalanta in the Atalanta end, as the Atalanta lads provoked the police till they entered the end and charged the crowd. A 17-year-old fan has been arrested for resisiting arrest and violence.

Brescia - Lazio Roma - 04/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Lazio won 0-1 due to some bad refereeing decisions, a crowd waited for the referees outside the stadium after the match. As the ref came out by a secondary door they managed to reach them, some missiles were thrown and one of them reached the ref who was assualted. The ground of Brescia has been closed for the next two home games, and Brescia will have to play elsewhere.

Another report
Italian first division side Brescia were handed a two-match home stadium ban on Tuesday after a referee was attacked by fans following a recent defeat.
Brescia will have to find another venue for their games against Atalanta on March 19 and Reggina on the weekend of April 7-8.
The fans assaulted referee Gianluca Paparesta after last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by champions Lazio. A sporting judge investigating the incident said around 100 fans waited for the referee and his assistants outside the ground.
"They spat, threw glass, newspapers and a stone the size of an orange at the match officials," the judge said in a statement issued by the Milan-based Football League. Paparesta was cut on the lip and spat at twice in the face before he reached the safety of a waiting taxi.
The club also failed to provide representatives to help Paparesta to his car, the judge said. Brescia are the fifth Italian first division side this season to be banned from their home ground because of acts of violence by unruly supporters.
Reggina, Napoli and Vicenza have all been forced to play home matches at neutral venues, while Inter Milan were handed a two-match European ban following fan violence during a UEFA Cup tie against Spain's Alaves last month.

RSC Anderlecht - RC Genk - 10/03/2001

Source: mail

Report from BCS RSCAnderlecht

Due to the non-respect of 1 minute silence for the dead of one of our top lads by a part of the Genk fans, violent incidents erupted during and after the game. During the game, 2 mobs of BCS lads tried to attack the Genk fans. The first one went to the terraces in order to jump over the fences but clashes between police and angry fans didn't allow a big confrontation. In the same time, on the first floor, the second mob clashed with the Genk casuals at the entry of the away sector. A 4-5 minutes incidents where 5 lads were seriously wounded. After the game a BCS mob of about 60 lads attacked the bus sector. It was total mayhem, after a while a short but violent clash occured between 20-25 BCS and 50 Genk casuals. The Genks frontline was well game but the second line of the Genk fans was throwing bottles and glasses at us. So we were forced to turn back and get away from this bad situation. In conclusion the BCS made the action and the Genks lads proved that a casual movement is well existing in Limburg....

FC Groningen - Ajax Amsterdam - 11/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Report from Ajax lad

Ajax came to groningen with a mob of 80-100. After a 5 minute walk to the towncentre the Ajax mob were being shadowed by 4 police vans. Just before reaching the grote market-square the police vans accelerated and tried to block the street in front of the Ajax mob. The Ajax mob ran forward as there had to be a reason for the police to go into action. The reason showed itself... one Groningen lad stood +- 20 meters before the Ajax mob, challenging them. Part of the Ajax mob went at him, the groningen lad then ran away as his mates were coming around a corner on the right. The groningen mob was well prepared for this clash as they had bricks and bottles gathered up. A rain of bricks and bottles were hurled at the Ajax mob. There were now some riot police and 3 or 4 vans between the groups. Ajax backed away, surprised by the sudden attack and not being able to advance because of the bricks thrown by Groningen. By the time Groningen was running out of bricks Ajax returned their fire (not hard as the street was filled with bricks from the groningen lads). The Ajax lads in front were telling the mob behind them it was time to advance. Some groningen lads came around the corner again armed with 3 feet poles... however they decided to use them as missiles and ran back around the corner. The Ajax mob was now coming forward and went through the (small) line of riot police. Groningen nhad no choice but to run as they were smaller in numbers ( as far as i have seen they numbered 40-60, but I'm not sure).
Ajax stood for a few secs, chanting 'Amsterdam hooligans'. The Ajax mob then followed groningen to the grote markt-square. groningen were there waiting for Ajax to come. Ajax stayed put though as we now had the police to worry about too. Groningen police (especially the undercovers) were quite agressive. The Ajax mob decided to stay put at a pub, but police came anyway. Groningen police were very alert and succeeded in splitting up the Ajax group. Riot-police vans were racing straight into the divided mobs. Our mob ended up being cut-off in a dead end ally... we were allowed to get back to the cars however.

Southend - Brentford - 14/03/2001

Source: local press

Violence flared after the LDV cup game between Southend and Brentford. During the game both sets of fans threw missiles and a number of supporters were reported injured. Southend fans also attempted to enter the away end but were beaten back by police and stewards.
After the game there were several clashes between rival fans and one Brentford fan was stabbed and needed hospital treatment.Police are to step up security for the 2nd leg in London.

PSV Eindhoven - FC Kaiserslautern - 15/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Report from PSV lad

This second leg of the UEFA competition was regarded as a very high risk game. All the Germans Fans travelling to Eindhoven were ''intercepted'' at the Dutch-German border near Venlo. Subsequently, they were ordered to travel by bus/coach to Eindhoven. no FCK lads turned up in Eindhoven. Why this heavy security measure ? The first leg, away in Germany, should have been won by PSV. However, again a penalty ( again for a NON foul ! ) marred the atmosphere. After the game, the PSV lads fought with the German Polizei. Several peoplewere injured and 3 PSV lads arrested. Am promising prelude for the second leg.... During this second leg of the UEFA game, again, FCK managed to score 0-1 from a penalty. And, by playing coward football by NOT lauching a single attack. Just after the 0-1, Mr. referee Lopez Nieto send Marc van Bommel of the pitch with a red card. Then, all hell broke loose with the entire PSV lads EASTFRONT HOOLS at the stand. First, a known older hool climbed the fence, and ran onto the pitch. As soon he was arrested, over 100 hools ran to a gate, in order to force it to get their friend back. Subesquently, after forcin the gate, the game was abandoned for 15 minutes because of heavy riots between PSV lads on one side, and the Police and PSV stewards on the other side. After the game, the riots continued around the PSV Ground, lasting for an hour. PSV lads attacked the police over and over with brikes, rocks and bats. 10 PSV lads were arrested. Many were injured, and also 17 PSV stewards were injured. One male and one female Police officer were beaten severely in the major clash, trying the reach the FCK lads and their busses. These police officers had to be hospitalised. The day after this game, Police announced to arrest more PSV lads, to be recognised from official TV footage, PSV Stadium footage and Police video surveillance tapes. See pictures for the forcing of the gate and the main attack on the German busses and the forcing back by Dutch Riot Police.

Newcastle vs Middlesbrough: POLICE ON ALERT FOR DERBY THUGS - 16/03/2001

Source: Evening Chronicle

Police will throw a ring of steel around St James's Park to stamp out any trouble at Saturday's derby between Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
Anti-hooligan officers have warned thugs to stay at home as thousands of supporters of the Teesside team are expected to flood into the city.
Police have been planning for weeks to ensure there is no repeat of street brawling near the Central Station which marred the fixture two years ago.
PC Eric Williams, football intelligence officer, said: "There will be a higher than normal police presence because it is a derby game when there are more risks of problems.
"Police will be on high alert and there will be more officers available than normal if there are any problems. We are expecting a busy afternoon."
PC Williams said the police operation would pay particular attention to the railway station, a notorious flashpoint venue for problem fans.
He added intelligence officers had been maintaining a vigil on the Internet and other places where so-called supporters arrange meetings as a prelude to violence.
Two years ago, at least 15 supporters were charged with violent disorder after clashes in central Newcastle. Paul Frizzell and Derek Robinson, both from Carlisle, narrowly escaped prison sentences after closed circuit TV cameras caught them throwing punches and launching flying kicks during the station fracas.
PC Williams, a keen Newcastle fan, said police expected 2,000 Middlesbrough supporters at the game, a thousand fewer than the club could have applied for.
He said: "There is potential for a hostile atmosphere between the clubs but the fixture is normally less fraught than the one with Sunderland. We will be policing appropriately."
In the season 1998/9, the last for which figures are available, 102 Newcastle United supporters were arrested and 66 Middlesbrough followers out of a total of 3,341 fans detained nationwide in all leagues. Newcastle was 11th and Middlesbrough 13th in a national league of shame.
Police are battling against technology and highly organised gangs in the fight to control hooliganism in football. Mobile phones, pagers, and the internet are the new weapons used by thugs on football grounds.
The arrest statistics show an increase in loutish behaviour as organised gangs co-ordinate meetings well away from stadiums.
England still has one of the worst reputations in Europe for football violence.
Violence can include incidents of mass brawling involving thousands of fans to smaller fights where supporters are seriously injured with weapons.
Use of knives, metal bars and CS gas are commonplace, according to hooligan investigators.
Anyone with information about football violence should contact Northumbria Police on (0191) 214 6555.

Bristol City - Millwall FC - 16/03/2001

Source: Bristol Evening Post

Night of Shame

FOOTBALL hooligans - some armed with knives - went on the rampage in the streets of Ashton after a stormy match last night between Bristol City and Millwall.
The visiting fans ripped up seats and hurled them at City fans and the police.
And when the bad-tempered match ended, the fighting spilled out on to the surrounding streets.
Dog handlers and mounted police were drafted in to bring the rioting fans under control.
Superintendent Jim Shearer, who was in charge of the police operation, said: "I don't think we could have done much about what happened. The fans at the back of the stand started ripping up seats and throwing them down on both sets of supporters. The situation just escalated from there.
Inside the ground, the ceiling of the visitors' changing room was understood to have been smashed.
The trouble was sparked by a last- minute penalty, which handed victory to Bristol City.
But the celebrations were put on hold as fans, including young children, cowered in fear as trouble broke out around them.
One female fan said: "I can't remember ever being so frightened. There was around 100 fans throwing everything they could get their hands on - seats, bottles, guttering, knives and toilet seats.
"There was police there in riot gear but the fans kept throwing stuff - even at the police horses - it was terrifying."
Trouble first flared just minutes after the Robins opened the scoring. A group of around 100 Millwall fans arriving at the ground late started fighting with City supporters.
On the pitch, tempers boiled over and a total of four players were sent off during the match.
A steward received a cut above his eye which needed stitches.
Bristol City fan Martin Powell said: "There were people running about all over the place, shouting, screaming and fighting.
"In the middle of it, there were fans like me who were very frightened and just wanted to get out of there."
The hooliganism was immediately condemned by the Chief Executive of the Ashton Gate club, Colin Sexstone.
He said: "There is no place in football for this sort of thing and we condemn the actions of those people who were involved.
"I would like to commend the actions of the stewards who did an excellent job. We will be speaking to the police on Monday to discuss the situation."
Bristol City, already in hot water with the FA following an incident at their home game against Bournemouth last October, could now find themselves facing stiff penalties.
The club were charged with failing to control their supporters following the Bournemouth match, an FA observer was at last night's game and witnessed the disgraceful scenes at first hand.
Police had mounted a high-profile operation in Bristol with the aim of preventing clashes between rival soccer fans.
The potentially-volatile clash between City and Millwall, which was switched to last night from Saturday afternoon following a request from police, prompted an increase in patrols across the city.
There were early reports of trouble in pubs South of the river and around round five people were arrested before the game.
Police surrounded the Colosseum Pub in Redcliffe Hill when a large group of Millwall fans started congregating in the area.
Around eight vans descended on the pub and the supporters were told to stay indoors until the situation was brought under controlled. Fans arriving by train were marched under escort to Ashton Gate.

Motherwell FC - Glasgow Rangers - 17/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Report from a Rangers lad

Police managed to contain 60 Rangers ICF in Motherwell Town Centre on Saturday after the match. 20 Motherwell SS tried to attack the escort from a bar near the main station but were chased back by some of the 60 Rangers ICF with the police escort being broken for a few minutes before order was restored.

Energie Cottbus - Hertha BSC Berlin - 17/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Report from a Berlin lad

Over 3.500 Hertha Fans travel to the Derby at Cottbus near Poland. In Cottbus there is every time a atmosphere of hate inside the Stadium and in the city before the game. But this day a great mob of skinheads, boot boys and hooligans from Berlin travel away. Before the game a cottbus pub called "the red card" was smashed by Hertha Fans and Hooligans. The police use pepper spray and battons to get the pub and the place before the pub free of Berlin Fans. The team of Cottbus warmed up in front of the away sector. Missiles were thrown at the cottbus player from the away sector and a bengalo flow, too. But no hit at a cottbus player. The game had to start three minutes later, because the Berlin Fans used many smoke bombs in the colours blue, white and black for I nice intro. Many bengalos were thrown to the pitch. After this action, there were a very hately atmosphere. In the second half some smoke bombs were thrown again and a security gard god a bengalo at his head. After the game there were only a few clashes between away fans and the Security (The security man of Cottbus are all old lads from the Berlin football teams Union Berlin, BFC Dynamo and Hertha BSC). The Berlin Fans had to go with a heavy police escort to the railway. The Firm of Cottbus had never been seen the whole day. Might be better for them, because the riot mob from Berlin was nice on this day.

REPORT (Cottbus view):

There were a lot of hate in the Derby. Our young group walked through the city looking for some "Hertha Frogs" (Berlin Hooligans), but we just find some normal Fans and some Ultras, but they ran away. Then we got phone-call, that some Berlin Hooligans make travel in a pub. But when we arrived, we didn't see anybody from the Berlin lad, but many cops standing around, we shoot some flair at them. Later we went to the ground where we "visited" the away sector, but nothing happens realy, because we can't broke through the security line. Then some of us entered the ground to support Cottbus. The rest went to the railway station and waited for the Hertha fans. We had some small fights with the police, but the police couldn't arrest anybody. After the game (Cottbus won 3-0) there were some clashes at the station. Unfortunately a drunken Hertha-Fan threw a bottle beer at a young girl's head, who had to take to a hospital.

KAA Gent - RSC Anderlecht - 17/03/2001

Source: View from the Terrace

Report from Anderlecht lad

For this 'always pleasant' away game, the BCS brought a strong mob of around 80 lads. After a chaotic arrival when we came in front of the Rebel sector, the first 8 arrests were made. After the game all went mad, and now a mob of 120 BCS decided 'to take a look' at the Rebel side. After a while we spotted a group of about 120-150 locals, we charged them but they didn't stand their ground and it was time for the police to come in the game. Unfortunely for the Cops they were very agressive and arrogant so we were forced to do the same with them and several clashes errupted in order to let them know who we are...
But the law still have the last words and others arrests were made: this time the Old Bill catched 76 unlucky BCS...

Reply from Rebel-Side member

I want to give a comment to the report from an Anderlecht lad on the game at Gent - Anderlecht on March 17th 2001
"We didn't stand our ground?" The BCS made a charge but the police was there very fast so nothing really happened which was bad because we were really looking forward to a confrontation.

Wolverhampton Wanderers - West Bromwich Albion - 17/03/2001

Source: local press

Police baton charge on fans

Police officers were forced to baton charge two groups of football supporters to stop a clash between rival Albion and Wolves fans after the Black Country derby at Molineux.
The officers had to take action when Albion supporters stopped to confront a large crowd of Wolves fans at the bottom of Camp Street between Molineux Street and Stafford Road.
The incident happened just after the final whistle blew signalling Wolves' 3-1 victory over Albion.
A total of 10 fans were arrested during and after the match yesterday.
Police said those involved could have pre-arranged trouble using mobile phones.
A 35-year-old man from Bushbury and a 33-year-old man from Bradley were both arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs and bailed pending further inquiries.
Five Albion supporters were all arrested to prevent a breach of the peace, but no further action was taken against them.
They were a 34-year-old man from Handsworth, a 26-year-old from Smethwick, a 28-year-old from Winson Green, a 43-year-old man from Oldbury and a 28-year-old from West Bromwich.
A 21-year-old man from Rowley Regis, a 37-year-old Tipton man and a 40-year-old man from Bloxwich, were all arrested and charged with public order offences and bailed to appear at Wolverhampton magistrates' court on March 22.
Superintendent John Colston, of Bilston Street police station, said, there was good evidence that those seeking seeking confrontation were using mobile telephones.
"The use of the force helicopter helped to identify a number of examples of violence directed from one group to another.
"Officers did baton charge, at one stage, two groups."

Real Zaragoza - Athletic Bilbao - 18/03/2001

Source: local newspaper

PITCHED BATTLE BETWEEN ULTRAS

The confluence of the San Juan de la Cruz and Ram de Viu streets was scene yesterday at noon of an authentic pitched battle between ultras of the groups " Ligallo Fondo Norte ( R.Saragosse Ultras ) and " Herri Norte " , this one last one of Bilbao.
HERALDO Zaragoza
A broken showcase, slight flaws in average dozen of parked vehicles, several people hurt and wounded and an authentic bottle glass carpet were the result of the pitched battle that maintained yesterday at 14.30 pm during twenty minutes following ultras of the groups " Ligallo Fondo Norte " and " Herri Norte" of Bilbao in the confluence of the San Juan streets de la Cruz and Ram de Viu.
The police intervention ended battle street and was stopped a radical fan of the Athletic of Bilbao, that today will happen to judicial disposition, to throw two bottles to an agent. Soon, in the field, any incident was not registered.
The National Police does not discard that the ringleaders of both groups had challenged itself besides previously by Internet, although, as much eyewitnesses two editors of HERALDO OF ARAGÓN observed all the fight, like police sources, they assure that the " ligallos ", that were in the Bar Primi House, were caused and insulted by the Basque ultras and little group of " sharps " extreme left skinheads of zaragoza.

RAIN OF BOTTLES
Of the insults one went quickly to the aggressions, until it was degenerated in an authentic pitched battle, with a rain of bottles, uprooted wastebaskets and all type of forceful objects. " ligallos ", that sent a bottle against a graphical editor of HERALDO when this one began to make photographies, got to throw of blow against their opponents a box filled with bottles full of beer, while besides of " Herri Norte ", after overturning a glass container, they responded type of crystal packages yet.
The arrival of a considerable number of cash of the National Police caused one fled massive one ultras from members of both factions, but others chose to continue the battle against the police. Before dissolving the last fans, an agent was struck with two bottles by a Basque follower and could be stopped. The scene of the battle was left crystal place setting literally and, to avoid possible accidents, it had to be cleaned by municipal civil employees.

Bordeaux - Paris SG - 18/03/2001

Source: mail

This game was considered high risk by the police (300 cops were mobilized), after the incidents between PSG and Galatasaray. The night before the game, a small crew of 17 lads (14 from Paris and 3 from Toulouse) attacked some Bordeaux fans in their hangout. One of them was wounded after he received a firework under his eye. The morning at 9:00 a.m, 60 Boulogne Boys (not hooligans) came by bus, attacked 30/40 ultras from Bordeaux inside the stadium, who prepared the "tifo" for the game.

Alès - GFCO Ajaccio - Under 17' - 18/03/2001

Source: local newspaper

During the game, gun shots were fired from a terrace, a referee was wounded on the hand and one player from Ajaccio was wounded at his shoulder. After the game, the visitors' bus was attacked with stones. The Ajaccio club received death threats a few days before the game.

PSG fined and banned by UEFA for crowd trouble - 21/03/2001

Source: Reuters

Paris St Germain have been fined one million Swiss francs (4 270 000FF) and banned from their Parc des Princes ground for three European matches after crowd violence at last week's Champions League game against Galatasaray. Galatasaray were fined 200,000 Swiss francs (800 000FF) "given the Turkish club's lack of cooperation in controlling their fans," on March 13, UEFA said. UEFA said PSG's next three European games would have to be played at least 300 kilometres from Paris. That would leave grounds at Lyon and Nantes as possible alternatives. Trouble flared during halftime of the game, with French and Turkish supporters lobbing missiles at each other and trying to break security fences in the stands. The match was stopped by referee Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira after two spectators wearing Galatasaray colours ran on to the pitch.
The two clubs have until midnight on Saturday to appeal the UEFA control and disciplinary board's decisions. Galatasaray lost the group B match 2-0 but had already qualified for the quarter-finals. PSG were eliminated from the competition before the game.

Aubagne - Val Saint André (France) - 22/03/2001

Source: local press

200 people attacked the players from Val Saint André during the game. 9 of them were seriously injured (arm fractures, broken ribs, bruises) and were evacueted to the hospital. Some supporters used pitbulls during the incidents. Cops intervened and protected the other 'visitor' players outside of town.

Bristol City: security - 23/03/2001

Source: local press

Bristol City will have to wait until later this month to find out the result of an FA charge after failing to control fans at the game with Bournemouth.In the October clash a spectator ran onto the pitch near the end to confront the referee.The club do not anticipate another charge as a result of the Millwall trouble last week and insist everything possible was done to curb it.But any more crown problems at a City match could have serious consequences and there have been instances of hooliganism at past games with Reading.Sexstone says any City fans shown on surveillance video to have been involved in the vandalism at the Millwall game will be harshly dealt with by the club and does not rule out life bans.