Season 02/03 - April

England - Turkey - 02/04/2003

Source: The Independent

Police arrest 95 in clashes before England-Turkey match

RIOT POLICE clashed with England football supporters last night as they tried to attack coaches carrying Turkish fans to last night's European Championships qualifier.

Three people, including two police officers, were injured and 95 people arrested during a series of violent clashes in Sunderland.

Officers tried to round up known troublemakers ahead of yesterday's match but mount-ed police had to move in after the coaches arrived at the stadium and a group of England fans tried to force open the doors. Hooligans also pelted police with bottles and bar stools.

An England supporter was injured during a brawl before the game at the Stadium of Light, which England won 2-0. The man was knocked to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. He lay unconscious for about 30 minutes before being taken away by ambulance. Police said his injuries were minor.

A group of about 25 Newcastle and Sunderland supporters were arrested in a city centre pub in the afternoon in an attempt to prevent trouble.

Another 25, believed to follow Leeds United, were arrested later in the day after a press photographer was assaulted.

There had been fears that supporters from the club would use the fixture as an opportunity for revenge after two Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death before a game with the Turkish club, Gala-tasaray, in 2000 and Northumbria Police had consulted colleagues from West Yorkshire before the game. Officers issued a statement to quash rumours circulating Sunderland that an England fan had been stabbed yesterday by a Turkish supporter.

Hundreds of supporters clashed with riot police on the approaches to the stadium just before kick-off. Northumbria Police said about 1,000 officers were on duty for the game. Superintendent Jim Campbell, in charge of security at the sell-out match, said: "Our philosophy has been to get in early."

Around 5,000 Turkish fans were in the 48,000 capacity crowd but none of them were arrested, police said.

The English fans who were arrested - including 25 in and around the stadium - were taken to police stations across Sunderland.

Last night's violence followed a weekend of trouble in the run-up to England's game against Liechtenstein. Several fans were arrested but later released without charge after violence broke out in Zurich and Liechtenstein's capital, Vaduz.

FC Metz - AS Nancy - 04/04/2003

Source: mail

For this derby, about 40 Nancy Snipers made the trip to Metz by train, with the aim to have a toe-to-toe. Near the stadium, 4 locals were in front of their pub; they entered inside this pub when they saw us. About 20-25 locals went outside and Nancy lads charged them. A local stayed on the floor and about 20 Nancy lads had a physical contact and the second line threw missiles. Locals had to retreat inside their pub, but some windows were smashed up. Locals threw missiles as tables, bottles...Other local lads received a phone-call and arrived at the agreed-place. A violent fight erupted, opposing the 2 first-lines. The fight took place for 10 minutes before french CRS made an intervention. Some fans from both teams were injured. CRS escorted to the stadium visitors and a coach full of Saarbrucken lads (friends with Nancy ones) was controlled by police forces when they arrived in France.
After the game, visitors stayed inside the stadium for one hour and a group of 150 locals tried to approach Nancy fans, without any chance of fight. Finally, 5 people were arrested.

Train vandalised by football fans - 05/04/2003

Source: local newspaper

Two were arrested following the disturbance
Two people have been arrested after a train was vandalised by football supporters.
Swansea City fans returning from their team's game in Shrewsbury are alleged to have caused damage to the train as they changed services at Cardiff Central Station at 2000 BST on Saturday. Around 250 Swansea supporters arrived at Cardiff, where dog handlers and officers from South Wales Police were called in to help British Transport Police control the fans. The group of supporters was put on a First Great Western train bound for Swansea, which British Transport Police said some fans vandalised. The damage included smashed windows and broken light fittings, ceiling tiles and other internal fittings.

Repairs

British Transport Police added that the damage to the train is valued at thousands of pounds. The train has had to be taken out of service to be repaired. Other passengers at Cardiff Central were transferred on to alternative services. No members of the public were injured in the incident, but one British Transport Police officer was slightly hurt. Transport police officers added that further arrests are likely and are appealing for further information on the disturbance from the public.

Juventus Turin - Torino Calcio - 05/04/2003

Source: AP

Riots occured, opposing football fans to police forces. Police said 13 fans were arrested and 25 carabinieri were injured during the fights who erupted just before the kick-off. Police forces used batons and teargas to restore order.

RC Mechelen - Verviers - 05/04/2003

Source: belgian newspapers

At the end of the game, local fans threw missiles at Verviers players who had to retreat inside the stadium for one hour. When these players took to road to their coach, they were assaulted by a group of 30 local hooligans. Some players were beaten up. Police forces made an intervention to restore order.

Cosenza - Ternana - 06/04/2003

Source: Ultras Portal

Some minutes before the end of the game, a local fan invaded the pitch, trying to attack the Ternana goalkeeper. The fan was arrested.

FC Zurich - FC Basel - 06/04/2003

Source: swiss website

Riots occured at the end of the game, opposing rival fans. Police forces used water-canons, gunshots and teargas to restore order. Three hooligans were arrested. A policeman was also injured at his face.

CSKA Moscow - Spartak Moscow - 06/04/2003

Source: Rus Hool website

One of the main Russian derby was this Sunday- CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow.The match was in "Dynamo" stadium in Petrovskij park and gather about 30000 fans.There were a lot militsija and special police(omon) near the stadium-2500! 135 fans were arrested in this match:11 of them broke the seats,18 - drank alcohol in the tribunes,and others 105 were not allowed to go to this match-they were drunk..., but all these events were happened in the match and before it ...
Red-White Devils Band and Shturmoviki (Spartak hools) had a fight with N-Troops and Shedy(CSKA hooligans),the winners are red-whites... The militsija tried to make an order,they couldn't do it properly.
At 15.07 in "Tverskaja" metro station was one of the main incident:the crowd of hooligans ,about 100 -150, attack the police and after it they tried to find their "enemies". Real outlaw... And other hooligan event,aggresive fans ruin and destroy the electric-train on "Setun'" station- two hooligans were arreseted.

RSC Anderlecht - Standard Liège - 13/04/2003

Source: mails

Independent view:

After the game Standard lads refusend an off and locals decided to go to St Truiden, with the aim to attack Hell-siders, but they didn't come again. At this time, 70 A'lecht lads were present. In the same, another Brussels group took another road...just for cops.
The main A'lecht group took the road of Liège and attacked Hell-siders in their own pub. Both firms had weapons, as belts, bottles, baseball bats...Finally, about 10 Standard lads were injured (one of them so seriously), a coach and 2 or 3 cars were damaged.

Standard view:

Anderlecht-Standard, this classic high-risk game in the belgian championship, took place in Brussels on a sunny sunday evening. Only 900 Standard fans were accepted in the Anderlecht stadium, and were obliged to reach Brussels by coach. Before the game, nothing special : The coach where some 20 Standard Casuals (WCF), some 20 Ultras Inferno (Standard Ultras, not hools), and +/- 10 girlfriends took place, was escorted to the center of Brussels, not to take the usual road to the stadium. After the game, there were some rumours to be heard in the Standard group : It seemed that BCS (Anderlecht Casuals) would make the trip back to Liege (more than 100 kilometers) to attack the Standard coach, but nobody really believed that. On the way back, a WCF gave a phone call to a BCS leader to ask them if they envisaged to come to Liege for a fight. The lad answered that there was absolutely no possibility for them to go to Liège. At the arrival of the coach in Liège, in front of a pub near to the stadium, it was told to the Standard casuals that BCS were presents there, just at the other side of the large parking. There were absolutely no Police forces to see around. The Standard Casuals saw the BCS group in the dark over the parking, and WCF-lads stayed in line in front of the pub. BCS arrived and there was a big fight. There were some charges both sides. At the first Standard charge, BCS moved back away.
Then BCS came back and there were some fights between top lads. The Standard Casuals had to move back shortly. The fight was short but really intense. WCF-lads charged back immediately and attacked back the anderlecht casuals until they reached their cars and leaved the place.
Some weapons were used both sides. Anderlecht BCS fought there with 80 lads (Source : BCS) Standard WCF fought there with 25 lads and some Ultras.

River Plate - Independiente - 13/04/2003

Source: argentinan websites

Police were at fault for the after game riots this past weekend at Monumental Stadium. The police operative’s chief Carlos Cheroni has claimed responsibility for the confrontations between Los Borrachos del Tablón (The Drunkards of the Terrace) and riot police.
The visiting Independiente fans are usually ordered to remain in their sections until the River Plate fans have cleared theirs. However, after the 2-1 win, the River Plate fans stayed to celebrate their win. The police had no patience for their triumphant display and decided to evacuate the stands by force. Since the barra brava wasn’t moving they fired tear gas canisters into the stands. Without a place to escape the fans busted out through the halls and cafeteria. There was total chaos within the stadium’s passage ways and coffee shops. Fans fought police and destroyed windows in order to escape the fumes.
One fan was cut in the head after being hit by a baton. Cheroni, of police district 51a, blamed 12 to 14 infantrymen for the incident. Once the fans were outside, the Drunkards of the Terrace counterattacked by launching missiles towards the aggressors, including stones, tiles, and bricks. Some violence broke out into the same coffee shops.
The only other incident occurred between fans during the first half when Independiente fans took part of a small melee. About 650 police were present for this game. Ten police were hurt and 4 fans were arrested.

Georgia sanctioned over Euro qualifier crowd trouble - 15/04/2003

Source: AFP

UEFA on Tuesday ordered Georgia to face Russia this month behind closed doors after crowd trouble marred their Euro 2004 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. European football's governing body took action after the March 29 game in Tbilisi was disrupted by fans hurling missiles at a number of Irish players. Kevin Kilbane was struck by an open pen-knife blade, Gary Breen was hit by a ball bearing, a glass vodka bottle smashed against Irish keeper Shay Given's post and a plastic drinks bottle was thrown at Damien Duff. Russia's football union chief General Vladimir Radionov had requested that the April 30 qualifier against Georgia be switched to a neutral venue because of instability in the former Soviet republic. Georgia, who went down 2-1 to the Irish, have until Friday to lodge an appeal.

CSKA Sofia - Levski Sofia - Cup - 16/04/2003

Source: AFP

Three police officers were injured and 27 fans arrested when fighting broke out during a Bulgarian Cup semi-final between CSKA and Levski, police said Wednesday.
The incident was provoked by CSKA fans furious after the referee disallowed a goal.
The disgruntled fans tore up and smashed seats which they hurled at police. The 27 fans arrested were all CSKA supporters.
Levski won the match at the CSKA Bulgarska Armia stadium with a goal in the final minute of play.

Marseille - AS Monaco - League Cup - 17/04/2003

Source: AP

Two local fans were arrested at the end of the game after skirmishes who erupted outside the south area of the stadium. Police said fans set fire outside the stadium. They also said they made an intervention to calm these fans, but many Marseille fans are not agreed with this version of facts.

Ipswich Town - Portsmouth - 18/04/2003

Source: Evening Star + BBC

A bloodied Ipswich Town fan was rushed to hospital amid the worst scenes of football violence in the town for years.Fighting broke out after a gang of Town thugs charged the Drum and Monkey pub in Princes Street just before 8pm yesterday.The pub – well known as the town's main drinking hole for away fans – was packed with Portsmouth supporters. A mass brawl developed involving dozens of fans from both sides and spilling out into the street.Windows were broken and furniture destroyed at the pub and paramedics were called upon to treat several walking wounded.The most seriously injured man was taken to Ipswich Hospital suffering facial cuts.But despite eye-witness reports that he was "covered in blood" a police spokesman said his injuries were not serious. More than 30 police officers descended on the scene and quickly brought the situation under control.Town fans were separated from their Portsmouth rivals and physically herded across the street into Riley's snooker club.A tense hour-long stand-off across Princes Street was relieved after police escorted a group of Portsmouth supporters to the railway station.The disgraceful scenes took the gloss of Town's best victory of the season – a 3-0 victory over already promoted Pompey. Drum and Monkey landlord Dave West described the scenes as "totally out of control".He said: "The windows alone will cost thousands of pounds and then there's the furniture. I've only been here ten weeks."We are really upset with these football hooligans. All we are doing is trying to provide a service for people and they have let us down."Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith said the fighting followed seven arrests during the game after supporters clashed.He said: "Normally we may have sporadic little incidents that are quickly calmed but this one went beyond that and became quite violent."
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A fan has had to be treated in hospital after clashes between football supporters which led to seven arrests in Ipswich. The fans were arrested on public order offences at the Ipswich-Portsmouth game on Friday evening. Their names have not been released. After the match, police were called to a disturbance at a bar around the corner from the football ground. About 20 people at the Drum and Monkey pub in Princes Street were involved in the melee. The incident left one man with a wound to his face and damages to the pub's premises.

Ajaccio - Bordeaux - 19/04/2003

Source: forum

Bordeaux ultras made the trip for this game. On the local side, because a bad refereeing and a bad result - 1/6, riots occured, caused by angry fans: a photograph was injured, a Bordeaux player attacked and some fans also invaded the pitch. The referee was injured. French CRS tried to restore the calm but at the end of the game about 100 locals tried tried to attack visitors.

Two die in clashes between River Plate and Newell's supporters - 20/04/2003

Source: AFP + ESPN

Two Argentinian football fans died on Sunday after incidents between River Plate and Newell's Old Boys supporters, police said.
The fans clashed on the way to their respective matches - the teams were not playing each other - resulting in two deaths, a dozen more injured and 400 delayed in their travels.
One of the dead, killed by a fire arm, was fanatical Newell's Old Boys supporter Claudio Puchetta, according to hospital sources, but they did not give the identity of the other fatality.

RSC Charleroi - SK Lokeren - 21/04/2003

Source: mail

For this game, Lokeren lads had a good turn up with +- 30 lads by cars. After they game, as each year, they were escorted back to their cars by cars and gendarms. A group of 15/20 young local lads tried to attack them but they were pushed back by cavalery. Some minutes after, skirmishes erupted, opposing visitors to policemen. Some arrests were made. Some minutes before leaving Charleroi, Lokeren lads were waiting by another small local firm, but no toe-to-toe erupted.

Sunderland - Newcastle United - 26/04/2003

Source: forum + local newspaper

Here is a local view:

Before the match when you arrived in central station there was the biggest police prescence ever seen in Sunderland waiting to escort you to the ground. Every single SAFC home match against even Charlton and Fulham etc there is a police prescense on Roker Avenue but yesterday not one OB in sight! The only way to explain this is that they knew exactly which way you were coming----HOW? Every time we try to go anywhere in the country we either get turned back, detained or stopped from travelling---how do use not. The first 2-1 at your place we travelled through but got locked up until after the match, in 1996 we again got stopped and led away from ground. When use come through on train you get massive escort to and from game---HOW AND WHY? Also as a fellow SAFC lad says when was the last time you lot tried to get at us at your place, every derby at SOL we have tried! The fact remains 400+ tried to get at your 80 including Forest as my information informs me of there show. There is a big feeling that the OB are quite intrested in your actions and look out for use, perhaps for information!!!! There was more OB that there was American soldiers in Iraq one lad said, we got bit, struck, hit and locked up trying to get at use before, during and after the match but to no avail. The only thing you got right was that the OB were right on top but if you honest you know you would have taken a huge hammering due to sheer numbers, respect for showing but keep it real!
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About 50 people were arrested at the derby match between Sunderland and Newcastle United on Saturday. Most of the arrests were made on Wearside for anti-social behaviour. Northumbria Police had a massive presence at the Stadium of Light and in the city centre before, during and after the game which Newcastle won 0-1. Officers said they were taking no chances after the violence which marred the England-Turkey at the Sunderland ground a few weeks ago. Tension mounted when Newcastle fans were bussed to the ground and, at one point, officers struggled to keep rival groups of supporters apart at the Wearmouth Bridge. After the final whistle, there was a 15-minute stand-off between the police and Sunderland fans.

Team rivalry

Mounted police charged at the supporters, dispersing them away from the stadium. Northumbria Police said most of the 49 arrests were made inside the ground. The police have blamed the rivalry between the two sides for the arrests, rather than the usual match day drunkenness. Superintendent Paul Weir: "I think it was the frustration and the animosity between the two sets of supporters boiled over because of the flow of the game. "I think people who normally wouldn't swear or make abusive gestures towards their opposite numbers have decided to do that today. "Unfortunately, it has been observed by police who have arrested them."

Port Vale FC - Huddersfield Town - 26/04/2003

Source: local newspaper

Police say 15 football fans, arrested in connection with violent scenes following their team's relegation to Division Three, have been released without charge. The group of Huddersfield Town supporters were detained at Stoke-on-Trent railway station on Sunday following clashes with Port Vale fans. During the incident, a minor fire broke out at the Vine Pub, in Hamil Road, Burslem, but was put out before firefighters arrived. The clashes came after Huddersfield Town dropped out of Division Two in a 5-1defeat at Vale Park. A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said all 15 suspects had been released on bail and told to return on various dates in June for more questioning pending further inquiries. Police had to use CS-spray to subdue fans fighting in Burslem town centre following the game. The match itself was marred by Port Vale supporters repeatedly invading the pitch and missiles were thrown at police after the final whistle.

Cagnes sur Mer - SC Toulon - 26/04/2003

Source: Nice Matin + mail

About 50 young Nice fans attacked Toulon fans who made the trip for this CFA2 game. Four people were slightly injured and some vehicles were damaged during these facts. P.B, a Toulon fans said: 'I don't know what happened. It was a normal game on and outside the pitch. But during 2nd half, Toulon fans went outside our terrace. We heard something was happening. A bomb explosed..."
If, in general, Toulon fans have a little bad reputation, this game was not classified as a high-risks one. Only 6 policemen were inside the stadium, but SCTV fans were in number inside the stadium: about 200. But they were so calm.
At 4pm, about 50 people threw stones, bricks, bottles and home-made bombs in direction of Toulon fans. Who there are? Some of them say they are members of the BSN, the OGC Nice's Brigade Sud. They are 'ultras'. Both side are now on action and some vehicles were damaged.
A policeman injured
As situation seemed to be so difficult, other police forces arrived in Cagnes, from several towns (Cagnes, Vence, Saint-Laurent, Nice, Cannes and Antibes). Some of them had 'flashballs'.
Situation remained calm after half an hour, but 3 Toulon fans were injured by missiles.

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Irréductibles Toulon's group view:

For this awaited game, 3 coaches and some cars left Toulon. A total of 300 Toulon fans were present. At half-time, 2 of us were out of the stadium when they were assaulted by OGC Nice ultras...Our firms (Irred.+LT) organised a punishement squad and we saw, in front of our terrace, a group of about 50 mates. It seems there are from Nice and they are only there for a fight. Some home-made bombs were threw. In front of this group, we are now 70 and during 25 minutes many missiles were exchanged between both sides...
Both sides tried to open a gate to have a fight but without chance...but...another gate is now open...Toulon fans charged with only 15 boys...the 2nd line stayed out of action. A fight occured during some minutes (Nice fans had weapons as baseball bats...). Finally, as we were outnumbered, we had to retreat and missiles continued to be exchanged. Police forces arrived to restore order...

SK Lokeren - RSC Anderlecht - 26/04/2003

Source: mail

Here is a visitor view:

Prior to the game, BCS met at D. with the aim to have an off with West-Side. After several phone calls, Lokeren lads accepted this off, only if we stayed with the same number (50). We accepted it and we took the road of Ov. with 50 lads (but, a total of 100 Anderlecht lads were up for it). One of their leader came at the agreed place to check our number and the West-Side also arrived. The fight took place but West-siders didn't stayed there for a long time. We chased them during 2 kilometers inside this smalll town. Police forces finally arrived.
Respect to the West-siders who agreed with this off who erupted 10-15 kilometers far away from Lokeren.
At the stadium, about 25 BCS were arrested.

Young Boys Bern - FC Basel - 26/04/2003

Source: Swiss Press

Fights took place for this game, opposing rival fans from both sides. A total of 9 people were arrested. Riots begun prior to the game. Firecrackers were threw inside the station, when 700 Basel fans were out of a train. After the game, riots occured between both sides. Trains who came back to Basel were assaulted with bricks, stones...

18 arrested over stabbing of Vietnamese goalkeeper - 28/04/2003

Source: AFP

Vietnamese police in Danang have arrested 18 people involved in the stabbing of the goalkeeper of the city's professional football team which has left him in a coma, state media said Monday.
Do Ngoc The, who plays in V-League, was attacked on Saturday night at a nightclub in the city, hours after Danang had beaten Song Lam Nghe An 1-0 in a home match. According to the online newspaper, Vietnam Net, The and his friend became embroiled in an argument with a group of people, including two brothers who are owners of a cafe notorious for running an illegal football gambling ring. The was stabbed with the bayonet of an AK-47 machine gun and was rushed to hospital in a coma, it said. After searching the recently opened Wonder Cafe police discovered swords, knives, 100 bullets and a hand grenade. Vietnam Net said the attack was probably linked to the fact that punters had predicted the Danang v Song Lam Nghe An game ending in a 1-1 draw.
Police were continuing their investigation. The V-league has been plagued by rumours over match-fixing among players in collaboration with underground betting networks ever since it was started up in 2000.

Bolton: Woman scarred as soccer fans fight - 21/04/2003

Source: Bolton Evening News

A WOMAN has been left scarred for life after being struck in the face by a bottle as gangs of rival football hooligans clashed in Bolton.

The innocent by-stander was seriously injured when more than 30 thugs fought a pitched battle in Nelson Square on Saturday night.

Witnesses reported that most of them were Wigan Athletic fans returning from their Division Two Championship-winning game with Huddersfield Town.

But Bolton supporters celebrating their crucial 1-0 win over West Ham were also involved.

Bottles and glasses were thrown at pub windows across the square at 9.30pm, forcing many to shut their doors early.

It is thought that the woman, who was out with her boyfriend and friends, became caught up in the trouble and was hit in the nose by a flying bottle.

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary's specialist facial injury unit, where she is recovering today, after staff from the Life Bar rushed out to help her as she lay injured on the pavement.

It is thought that she may need reconstruction surgery for a severe nose injury. Police today described her injuries as "horrendous and extensive". The woman has not been named, but is from Bolton and is in her mid-20s. She was interviewed by detectives yesterday.

The fighting focused around the Spinning Mule pub, Bar Juice and Life Bar. Thugs also fought with bouncers at the Spinning Mule and four of the pub's windows were smashed. A bouncer suffered minor injuries.

A witness said: "It was very scary. Bottles were being thrown across the square and men were fighting in the street. They seemed to be running around, then starting to fight again and charging at each other."

Police sealed off the square. Today they are studying CCTV images of the scene. It is believed that a large number of people witnessed the attack.

Det Insp Andy Aston, of Bolton Police, said: "This was a horrendous assault on an innocent woman who was out socialising with her friends when she became caught up in the trouble. She suffered extensive facial injuries."

Three men were arrested at the scene in connection with the attack. They were questioned and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information should call Astley Bridge police station on 0161 856 5740.

Bolton: Hooligan attack victim recovering - 22/04/2003

Source: Bolton Evening News

A WOMAN struck in the face by a glass bottle during a fight between football hooligans in Bolton has undergone surgery.

She was recovering today at a specialist facial unit at Blackburn Royal Infirmary after an operation on her nose on Monday afternoon.

The woman, in her mid-20s, who has not been named but is from Bolton, was approached from behind and hit in the face with a bottle as up to 30 thugs clashed on Saturday night in Nelson Square.

It is believed that the majority of them were Wigan Athletic fans but Bolton Wanderers supporters were involved. Windows at the Spinning Mule pub were smashed. Police say the woman was an innocent victim of the trouble.

Staff from the nearby Life Bar ran outside to help her. Life's general manager Andy Rimmer, aged 35, said: "I saw someone run up to her from behind and hit her in the face with something." Police have described the woman's injuries as "horrendous".

A doorman at the Spinning Mule also suffered minor injuries during the fighting. Bottles and glasses were also thrown, forcing many pubs to close their doors early. Police are continuing to study CCTV footage.