Season 01/02 - October

Police and fans clash after Iran lose World Cup qualifier - 22/10/2001

Source: AFP

Iranian police clashed with disgruntled football fans on the streets of Tehran Sunday after the national team lost a World Cup qualifying game and failed to gain automatic qualification for next year's finals.

Iran, beaten 3-1 at home by the minnows of Bahrain in their final qualifying match, were overtaken at the head of Asian Group A by Saudi Arabia and now face a string of play-off games in a bid to reach the finals for the third time in their history.

Thousands of locals took to the capital's streets after the match, at first in a relatively jovial mood, with ironic cries of "Bahrain, Bahrain". But, witnesses said, the mood soon turned ugly.

Some claimed that the defeat was the result of political machinations and starting protesting against the leaders of the Islamic republic, chanting "death to the mullahs".

Witnesses said that a bus was set on fire amid violent confrontations between police and protesters in several parts of the capital.

Some hurled rocks and fireworks, shouting "Iran has turned into Palestine".

Several police were injured and scores of protesters arrested.

In Tehran's eastern Narmak area a thousand police officers, aided by 100 Bassiji militia members, dispersed a crowd of some 2,000 people. Some 60 people were arrested there.

Leaflets hostile to the Iranian regime were also distributed in the area.

On Saturday, police had warned football supporters against "threatening public order". They had good reason to fear trouble.

On October 12, after a 2-1 win against Iraq in Tehran in another qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup, police resorted to tear gas to break up a crowd of more than 20,000 supporters, gathered at Nur Square in western Tehran.

More than 400 people were arrested after that match, some 30 of whom later appeared before Tehran's revolutionary court.

All is not lost for Iran on the pitch, despite Sunday's disaster which saw them end the game with only nine men left on the pitch and coach Miroslav Blazevic ordered from the dug out by the referee as tempers became frayed.

The Iran team now faces a home and away play-off (Oct 25 and 31) against the United Arab Emirates who finished runners-up in Group B.

Indonesian soccer hooligans leave trail of destruction - 05/10/2001

Source: Reuters

Indonesian police sent two armoured vehicles into a soccer stadium after hooligans set fire to part of the stand, reports said Friday. At least 1,800 police and troops were deployed for the semi-finals of the local league on Thursday night. Tight security was also promised for Sunday's final, which President Megawati Sukarnoputri is scheduled to attend. The fires at the Bung Karno stadium in Central Jakarta were apparently started by fanatical supporters of Persebaya Surabaya, which lost 1-2 to host Persija Jakarta, the Jakarta Post reported. It said the blazes quickly died down and Persebaya fans left the ground promptly after the match ended. But trouble broke out again during the second match of the evening beteeen PSM Makassar and PSMS Medan. Towards the end some spectators started to burn and break up seats, an advertising hoarding was set ablaze and projectiles were thrown at security personnel. The Post said the situation was brought under control after the arrival of two fire trucks. Makassar won the game 3-2 after a penalty shootout.

England - Greece - 06/10/2001

Source: BBC

A massive policing operation prevented major trouble even though some of England’s worst hooligan groups were on display. However, Manchester United hooligans fought with Manchester City at the Thirsty Scholar pub near Oxford Road Station. They also clashed with the Stoke City firm in the Hogshead in Deansgate. Sheffield United hooligans attacked the Finnegan's Wake pub in Piccadilly, where the Oldham firm the "Fine Young Casuals" were drinking with their friends from Shrewsbury.

Dinamo Zagreb - Hajduk Split - 14/10/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

It is allways interesting when this two clubs are playing,the same was this Sunday.In the morning strange thing happened,only few cops waited for the train from Split,so Torcida (Hajduk supporters) could go in the city without police escort.Around 11.30 incidents accured by the South part of the stadium.A mob (Hajduk) of about 25 was drinking in a caffe,and 30 meters away (in parking) there was a 20 Hajduk Split fans (not hooligans) surrounded with only 10 cops.In one moment about 30 Bad Blue Boys (Dinamo supporters) attack Hajduk fans from all dirrections,not knowing about the Hajduk mob in caffe,which also stormed down to B.B.B. throwing bottles.Soon there was total chaos.Hajduk mob had to move back to caffe (which was totaly demolished) and throw full bottles,chairs,tables,etc. to Bad Blue Boys.After about 10 minutes police arrives and seperate both groups,with few arrested on both sides.The result of this fight was 4 stollen banners from Hajduk Split fans,few supporters from both sides got bottle in head,one from Hajduk mob lost his eye and other one got cut in back.
On the match the atmosphere was very good,but when in second half-after second goal of Hajduk (1:2) one Dinamo supporter try to get into the pitch on a big flag,he fell down from tribune (10 meters).Eweryone thought he was dead.Ambulance needed few minutes more than usual to come,and Bad Blue Boys got mad and leave the stadium.Outside they started to throw rocks and bottles at police.The supporter was ok,but still have heavy injuries.Also we should mentioned that there was few minor fights in the city between Bad Blue Boys and Torcida,before and after the match.

NEC Nijmegen - Vitesse Arnhem - 14/10/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

When the bus of vitesse drove away after the match. The were wait up by more then 300 hundred NEC hools when the busses come by the NEC hooligans there were explosions of fire crackers, stones were thrown the and windows were damaged because the busse stopped because the emergency handle or something and seats were throwing out by vitesse hooligans but they didn'come out the busses the police maked charges! and the busses were heading there way but they didnt come further because they stopped a second time this time all NEC hools were throwing stones and other stuff. then there was again the police but they didn't do much( they can't do much when it is chaos) on this day there were 80 people busted a whole bus of vitesse (60 people) and 20 people of NEC.

Luton: Hatters fan banned for life - 02/10/2001

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

Swift reaction after new outbreak of hooliganism
A football supporter was yesterday banned from Luton Town home matches for life in the latest move in a crackdown by both club and police on hooligans who are casting a shadow over Kenilworth Road.

The Football Association has already warned the Hatters that parts of the stadium could be shut down following a worrying series of missile-throwing incidents last season.

The club was also told that league points could be deducted and heavy fines imposed if the safety of players and officials continued to be threatened by coins and other objects hurled onto the pitch.

During the summer a concertina-style cover, pictured, was erected over the players tunnel, but it was unable to prevent an incident at the Division Three game against Oxford United earlier this month.

A Hatters season ticket holder was arrested when a steward was struck by a coin at the end of the match.

Mark Dalton, 28, appeared before Luton magistrates yesterday and pleaded guilty to throwing the coin.

He was prosecuted under the Football Offences Act and was banned from all professional football in England and Wales for three years.

Dalton, of Lapwing Road, was also fined £200 and told that he must surrender his passport and report to his nearest police station every time England has a match abroad.

On hearing the sentence, Luton Town FC banned Dalton from Hatters home games for life.

Luton Police s football liaison officer, Pc Peter Palmer, said: We have not had this problem for a number of years, but towards the end of last season there were several incidents in which objects were thrown from the crowd.

Frustration over the team s poor performance had something to do with it.

During the close season, discussions took place between Luton Town, the police and the FA to prevent and deter this offence happening again. Unfortunately there was an incident at the Oxford game.

We are pleased to see that the court agreed with us on the seriousness of the matter. It is difficult to detect, but we can t allow this sort of behaviour.

We will continue to come down hard on anyone who throws an object at players, match officials or stewards.

Dalton, who was described in court as of previous good character, had a season ticket for the main stand enclosure at Kenilworth Road. He was also ordered to pay £55 costs

AS Roma - Lazio Roma - 28/10/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

The day of the Roman derby had began with perquisitions from the police to homes of some Ultras from Lazio and AS Roma. As a result were found more than 20 knives, other weapons, quantity of drugs,..
This police operation, which was intentend to "calm" the intentions of Ultras, in reality leaded to "fury" of Ultras of Lazio, who were intending to make a revenge towards the police forces at the derby game.
So, about one hour before the game started, about 100 Lazio Ultras, armed with Molotovs, stones, bottles,.. attacked two peloton of Carabinieri/Celerini outside the Olympic stadium. As a reaction, cops had to make use of teargas to disperse the crowd. Incidents lasted during minutes, and even reach the interior sector of the stadium.

Czech Republic - Bulgaria - 06/10/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

Rival groups of czech hools had a great fight 3 km from stadium before the match. There was about 50 hools on both sides. On one - Banik Ostrava and the second together Sparta, Brno and Olomouc. They fighted without weapons, without police and really fair. After 5 minutes fight ended. Result - draw.

FC Bohemians Prague - SK Hradec Kralove - 21/10/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

Coach with Hradec supporters stopped before the match at the visitors end, where 30 Bohemians hools waited for them. Hradec supporters promptly attacked them, thrown stones and bottles. After that both sides confronted each other (kicking, beating). Then police got involved and separated both sides. During the match Bohemians hools stolen visitors flag "Regiment Königgratz".

FC Slovan Liberec - SK Slavia Prague - 21/10/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

Before the match a group of 40 Slovan hools were waiting for visitors near by railway station, but they couldn´t find them. They were in the city, but in small numbers, because the rest travelled by cars to the match. After the match home supporters attacked some cars with Slavia hools. One Slavia lad was seriously injured and one car badly damaged.

Djurgarden IF - Sundsvall - 03/10/2001

Source: Associated Press

Code:

Fans arrested; two policemen injured during Swedish soccer match

A last-minute goal disallowed by the referee because of offside triggered the worst outbreak of fan violence this season in Swedish soccer.

Fifteen fans were briefly detained and two policemen were injured in clashes after Djurgarden tied Sundsvall 1-1 at Stockholm's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday evening. Police had released the fans by early Wednesday.

"They have all been identified and are suspected of rioting but the prosecutor has yet to decide when or if he will take legal action," police spokesman Mats Naslund said. "Many of the supporters are young. They were all Djurgarden fans, because Sundsvall's supporters left for home with charter buses right after the game."

Midfielder Stefan Rehn headed what he thought was the winner in the dying seconds of the game, but the linesman indicated Rehn was offside and the referee did not overrule him. Television replays showed Rehn was not offside.

Police said several objects, including coins and bottles, were thrown at the referee and other game officials as they left the field. They also had to be protected when leaving the stadium.

Several cars were smashed and two police vans were vandalized outside the stadium. Thirteen people, many of whom allegedly threw stones at police, were taken into custody later in downtown Stockholm, about 10 blocks from the stadium. Those suspects also were released.

Swindon Town - Cardiff City - 21/10/2001

Source: local press

Wilts Police have reported that they made a total of 13 arrests on Sunday that were related to the Swindon v Cardiff game.

Nine Cardiff City fans were arrested for trying to enter the football ground drunk.

The Police decided to close the Town centre pubs early to avoid any further trouble spots, after a fight broke out near the Arriva Ford garage just half a mile from the ground. Three men were arrested for fighting and another was arrested for drug related offences.

Many shops in the town centre decided to close early and several pubs did not open at all for fear of trouble. Others closed at 4:00pm and did not re-open until 7:00pm after the main bulk of fans had left the area.

The attendance of 8,373 was lower than anticipated, and it is thought that this was due in part to the possibilty of violence at the game and the fact that the game was on TV.

Seventy schools in the local area were offered free tickets for the game, but it has been reported that several did not take up the offer because of the threat of hooliganism.

Swindon's chief executive, Peter Rowe, has said that the club will probably not make any money from the game and expects to break even due the extra policing costs involved. Not only was the Wilts Constabulary on duty, but they were also supported by several officers from Wales. The Police helicopter was also deployed to spot any potential trouble spots and to help co-ordinate operations on the ground.

Thankfully there was no trouble inside the ground and a Cardiff victory probably helped.

You can all come out of your hidey-holes for the Cambridge game on Wednesday. They don't pose a physicial threat, they'll just give us another ear-bashing over the petrol crisis fiasco with the stewards last season, I expect.

Police investigate possible links to far-right groups following football disturbances - 23/10/2001

Source:

Staffordshire police have revealed that racist chanting, by football hooligans after the Potteries Derby on Sunday, referred to the far-right groups the National Front and the British Nationalist Party.

Lucy Toop reports:
Police are continuing to investigate the outbreak of violence during and after the game between Stoke City and Port Vale, in which a total of 84 people were arrested. 40 were arrested specifically for chanting racial abuse.

Ironically, the violence took place in the week when a campaign to eradicate racism from football was being launched. Port Vale players paraded around the pitch in T-shirts promoting the campaign before the game; and the Stoke City team wore similar shirts at a game last week. Organisers of the campaign say they're 'disgusted' by the chants.
Residents living in and around Vale Park in Burslem were said to be petrified as metal bars and sticks were used as weapons and windows were smashed by fans.
Superintendent Nick Howe of Staffordshire Police said a large group of trouble-makers seemed determined to march toward the multi-ethnic area of Cobridge a mile away. He said the group was arrested as a whole to prevent further disturbances. Officers had originally been brought in to ensure the protection of the near-by mosque.
He added that his officers were specifically looking into the chants of racial abuse from the fans which mentioned the BNP and National Front groups by name.
The Cobridge area suffered earlier problems in July of this year, when 49 people were arrested in Cobridge during disturbances among Asian youth. The trouble, which came shortly after the Bradford riots, appeared to have been sparked by rumours of a march by right wing extremists.
Since Sunday, 17 people have been charged, with 10 still in custody.

Lazio and Inter punished for fan misbehaviour - 30/10/2001

Source: AP

Lazio and Inter Milan were among eight Italian first division clubs punished Tuesday by football disciplinary chiefs for episodes of crowd misbehaviour at the weekend. Lazio were given a formal caution and fined 37,500 dollars following fans' racist chanting at players during their 2-0 derby defeat to AS Roma on Saturday. The commission also cited the throwing of firecrackers and other missiles at police. Inter were also cautioned and fined 16,400 dollars for the explosion of firecrackers, the throwing of a rocket and the unfurling of banners with violent messages. Fines were also imposed on Atalanta, Juventus (both 5,000 dollars), Brescia (4,000 dollars), AS Roma (2,500 dollars), Lecce (1,500 dollars) and Perugia (1,000 dollars).

SC Napoli - Sampdoria Genes - Played in Benevento - 28/10/2001

Source: Tifonet

Ten Napoli ultras were arrested after they damaged a coach, used for their transfer between Napoli and Benevento.

Lanciano - L'Aquila - 28/10/2001

Source: Tifonet

At the end of this derby, a local policeman was transfered in the hospital and 3 L'Aquila fans were also injured.

Luton Town - Swansea City - 27/10/2001

Source: forum

For this game, Swansea lads came with about 75 boys. A toe-to-toe erupted after the game, in front of the Luton mob main pub. Luton lads wera about 20. The fight took place for 1 or 2 minutes.

Manchester City - Nottingham Forest - 27/10/2001

Source: forum

Prior to the game, a fight broke out, opposing rival fans. The same meeting-point was used at the end of the game, but OB made an intervention, using horses. Fight broke out with these policemen.

France-Algeria tie to be secured by 1000 policemen - 04/10/2001

Source: AFP

The forthcoming match between World and European champions France and Algeria will be secured by 1000 policemen. The clash against France is going to be the first for African team after the independence of Algeria. The French Football Federations has already received more than 200,000 ticket requests for the match. The tie became of more interest after the terrorist attacks on the United States, and primarily there have been serious intentions to postpone the game. However, the match will be held as planned, and the outskirts of "Saint Denis" stadium will be secured by more than 1,000 policemen.

Indonesian soccer hooligans leave trail of destruction - 05/10/2001

Source:

Indonesian police sent two armoured vehicles into a soccer stadium after hooligans set fire to part of the stand, reports said Friday. At least 1,800 police and troops were deployed for the semi-finals of the local league on Thursday night. Tight security was also promised for Sunday's final, which President Megawati Sukarnoputri is scheduled to attend. The fires at the Bung Karno stadium in Central Jakarta were apparently started by fanatical supporters of Persebaya Surabaya, which lost 1-2 to host Persija Jakarta, the Jakarta Post reported. It said the blazes quickly died down and Persebaya fans left the ground promptly after the match ended. But trouble broke out again during the second match of the evening beteeen PSM Makassar and PSMS Medan. Towards the end some spectators started to burn and break up seats, an advertising hoarding was set ablaze and projectiles were thrown at security personnel.
The Post said the situation was brought under control after the arrival of two fire trucks.
Makassar won the game 3-2 after a penalty shootout.

France - Algeria - 06/10/2001

Source: Reuters

The first soccer international between France and Algeria was abandoned on Saturday after fans of Algeria invaded the Stade de France pitch.The friendly match was interrupted 12 minutes from time when dozens of supporters ran on to the pitch, forcing Portuguese referee Paulo Manuel Gomes Costa to send the players back to the changing rooms with the world champions leading Algeria 4-1.Ten minutes later France general manager Henri Emile confirmed the match had been abandoned as riot police entered the stadium.Angry supporters chanting 'Algeria, Algeria' then started to hurl plastic bottles and other objects at the police.French soccer federation chairman Claude Simonet and French sports minister Marie-George Buffet called on supporters to avoid clashes while leaving the stadium."I'm calling on you to stay calm and to go back home quietly," Simonet announced through a loud-speaker."I'm really sad tonight because if you love your country you must respect its national team. I'm really sad Algeria were not allowed to play this game to the end."No clashes were reported around the stadium."It's a stupid move by the fans. But according to the information I've got from the interior ministry it's quiet outside here," Buffet said.The first match between the two nations since Algeria claimed their independence from France in 1962 had been rated as high risk and security had been reinforced."When you see something like this, you must be disappointed", said Algerian striker Farid Ghazi. "We came here to play and to have a good time. It's a shame the match ended like this.""It's a blow for us. It gives a very bad image of our country," said Algerian substitute Rachid Saifi. "This is a sad day for Algerian soccer."

*******************************************************
Source: AFP

A pitch invasion caused unprecedented scenes at the Stade de France here on Saturday at the friendly football international between France and Algeria.
Just 15 minutes before the end of the match with France leading 4-1, the match was interrupted after a minority of Algerian fans invaded the pitch. They quickly vacated the pitch but, with CRS riot police on alert, they began to throw bottles and seating back down towards the turf. Minutes after the interruption, it was decided to call the match off. The scenes appeared exuberant rather than violent but sports minister Marie-George Buffet and French football federation president Claude Simonet called for calm over the stadium's public address system. "Go home peacefully and in an friendly manner," Simonet said. The events are unprecedented since the inauguration of the stadium to the north of Paris in January 1998. The historic, highly-charged game drew a capacity crowd of 80,000 spectators. It was the first match between the two sides since Algeria's independence from French rule in 1962.

Burnley FC - Carlisle United - 06/10/2001

Source: In the Know forum

There was about 15 Burnley with half dozen from another crew (often meet up for England matches home and away, Carlise know who it was as it was blurted out at one stage). About 8-10 Carlisle walk past and there was an exchange of insults. Carlisle stood in a line and individuals from SS et al went in and got picked off good and proper. Carlise were out numbered but fought as a fuckin right hard tight team. Full respect. Only four or five of Burnleys top lads actually fought the rest fucked off well back. They were backed by the other lads who stood by them and took a hiding. No ob for ages, fighting went on and off for quite a while. Severe casualties at the end. Broken bones, blood all over, hospital for one possibly more later. This is an accurate account from someone who was there. Check out the facts from bss/carlise who were involved.

Botafogo - Fluminense - 08/10/2001

Source:

One fan died and three were wounded after Botafogo v Fluminense match. As it always happens, after the match the fans of both clubs started a quarrel. A pistol shot was fired and Fluminense supporter Sebastiao Amaro being in an autobus at that time died in a hospital and three were wounded. Physicians announced that the life of the wounded fans is not endangered.

Bristol City - Cardiff City - 09/10/2001

Source: ITK forum

A 6.00pm, Cardiff lads were about 200 in the city-center and took the road of the stadium, hopping to cross a local mob. A group of 120-150 of them gathered near the stadium, ut OB made a libe between both sides. A few Cardiff lads tried to croos the road. Inside the groupd, Cardiff lads were about 200-300. After the game, a toe-to-toe erupteed but locals backing off tiwice. OB charged visitors, us�ing dogs, cavalry and batons. Locals also made good action for this day, but they were outnumbered, as Cardiff lads were really impressive.

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

Source : BBC News

The Cardiff "Soul Crew" hooligans were escorted to the Coliseum pub in Redcliffe Road. From there they were taken to Ashton Gate. Small groups of Bristol City hooligans were in touch by mobile phone to their Cardiff counterparts.

They tried to attack the escort at Ashton Park but were held back by the police. After the game 40 or 50 Bristol hooligans attacked Cardiff fans as they left the ground. There was hand to hand fighting before police horses charged in.

Feyenoord Rotterdam - Bayern Munich - 10/10/2001

Source: Yahoo

An unpleasant incident happened during Wednesday's Champions League match between Feyenoord and FC Bayern Munich (ended in 2-2 draw). After 28 minutes somebody from the tribunes threw a knife towards the German national team goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Fortunately it didn't reach him. The defending German champions and Champions League winners decided not to launch a complaint.