Season 02/03 - October

Fans riot at Turkish-Greek clash - 31/10/2002

Source: RTE

Trouble has flared in Istanbul as Turkish fans injured a number of Greek soccer supporters with missiles hurled before the start of a match planned as a showcase of new Turkish-Greek friendship. The foreign ministers of the two countries, attending the UEFA Cup tie together to underline a recent warming of diplomatic ties, had to cut short a tour of the ground when Greek fans threw seats and plastic cartons of yoghurt drinks at them.

The Anatolian news agency said fans of home side Fenerbahce had hurled objects into the section full of visiting supporters of Athens side Panathinaikos after exchanging insults before kick-off. Witnesses at the stadium saw first aid workers hurry to the scene. It was not clear how many were injured or how seriously.

The visitors' section of the stand was rapidly surrounded by Turkish riot police and the club made announcements over the stadium loudspeakers calling on fans not to throw things. The problems appeared to calm once the match had started although the atmosphere was tense. Fans lit coloured flares, spreading smoke across the pitch.

The brief outbreak of violence was a blow to officials from both countries who want the match to be a showcase for a joint Turkish and Greek bid to host the 2008 European championship. The UEFA Cup second round game is the first meeting between Greek and Turkish clubs in a major European competition.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Turkish counterpart Sukru Sina Gurel cut short their pre-match tour of the touchlines when they were bombarded with plastic seats and drinks by Greek fans. Witnesses said the missiles came from a part of the stands containing the Panathinaikos supporters.

Turkey and Greece have been slowly repairing their relations since earthquakes hit both countries in 1999. They still have a range of unresolved diplomatic disputes as well as lingering bad blood from conflict and population exchanges in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Fenerbahce fans were clearly determined to remind the Greeks of history. One large banner of an Ottoman sultan on horseback read "Istanbul since 1453", a reference to the conquest of the city, then called Constantinople.

Fenerbahce have already been fined by soccer authorities this year for missiles thrown on to the pitch at previous European matches this season.

CSKA Sofia - Levksi Sofia - 30/10/2002

Source: AFP

Forty four football fans were arrested for incidents surrounding the CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia Bulgarian football league derby match, police said on Saturday.

CSKA beat Levski 3-0 and visiting supporters then broke more than 600 seats in frustration during this high-security match patrolled by 1,200 police.

Fans in post-match rampage - 24/10/2002

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

FIVE England fans, four from the Burnley area, have spent more than a week in an Austrian jail after soccer hooligans went on the rampage following the team's 2-1 victory in Slovakia.

The travelling supporters were due to fly into Manchester last night after being given a five-month suspended jail term and fined £1,000 each by a court in Vienna.

Engineers Nathan Barras, 27, from Burnley, and Peter Dyer, 43, from Haworth, as well as welder Daniel Allot, 21, from Burnley, factory worker Andrew McNee, 18, from Rossendale, and jobless Paul Hartley, 18, from Burnley, all admitted destruction of public and private property but escaped assault charges.

The case prompted the president of the Slovak Football Association to accuse England of being a nation of football hooligans.

The day before the game on October 12 two England fans ended up in hospital after being shot by private security guards in the Slovak capital Bratislava.

All shops and restaurants in the city shut early, which meant many of the fans made the 45 minute journey by taxi to neighbouring Vienna to celebrate the victory by drinking into the early hours.

Prosecutor Astrid Blasbichler told a Vienna court where the five fans were on trial that the Sunday morning violence had not been expected.

She said: "Austrian police were not prepared for this mass influx and trouble started at about 4am on Sunday when the pubs closed."

She said that gangs of fans had ripped up road signs and wooden fence posts and had used them to rampage through central Vienna, smashing cars and shop windows causing thousands of pounds worth of damage before coming face to face with police.

All of the accused told the court they could remember nothing apart from waking up the next day in police custody, although the court heard McNee had started crying after he was locked up.

When asked if they had been drinking heavily Nathan Barras told the court: "I had been drinking from 11am on Saturday, until 4am Sunday".

Peter Dyer added: "I had drunk about eight pints, four or five vodkas with Red Bull, and something strong that came in little green bottles."

When police swooped the court heard that the two teenagers McNee and Hartley had tried to run away and had hidden under a table.

Slovakia has also been under fire for the behaviour of its fans and faced a UEFA enquiry for the alleged racism when Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole were subjected to racist taunts by home fans.

But defending the home crowd Slovak, FA President Frantisek Laurinec said if his country were going to be branded a nation of racists, the English would have to be labelled a nation of hooligans.

"I don't agree that we are a nation of racists, but if we are we would have to label English people as a nation of hooligans."

Today Peter Pike, Burnley MP, said: "All football fans whether they go to matches in the UK or abroad should remain in control of their behaviour.

"The simple message is if people can't cope with drinking alcohol then they shouldn't do it.

"This reflects badly on Britain and on Burnley and people should express more caution when they drink. Most people know how drink effects them but I would always urge people to drink in moderation.

"If they are Burnley fans then they will be dealt with by the club accordingly. The club has a policy that if any fan is found guilty of a football related crime they will be banned and that is the rule.

"Some people may think it is harsh but on the other hand we can't allow a minority of people to spoil it for everybody else."

A spokesman for Burnley Football Club said: "As yet we have not received any notification of the court hearing, but if we do receive any information in realtion to it then we will take any necessary action."

Slovakia-England: England Fans Shot - 13/10/2002

Source: Soccerphile

Two England fans were shot by security guards hired by a bar in Bratislava. The incident took place near the England team's accommodation, the Carlton Radisson Hotel.
Gareth Jones was shot in the throat and Phil Holland in the leg.
Police investigating the incident said they had recovered sixteen cartridges from the bar.
The whereabouts of all of the security guards is unknown at the time of writing.

Violence in Bratislava

Following the shooting of two England fans in the Slovakian capital (see above) violence also broke out in the stadium as police and England supporters clashed during England's 2-1 win in Group 7 of the European Championship qualifying round. The police baton-charged England fans who replied by hurling missiles.
After a trouble free World Cup in Japan it appears hooligan elements are again causing trouble with England away from home, potentially bad news for the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal when more England fans are expected to attend than made the long journey to the Far East.
16 known hooligans were prevented from travelling to Slovakia from UK airports before the match.
The game was also marred by the now almost commonplace racial abuse of England's black players in continental Europe.

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Source: english press

England fans have been involved in violence during a Euro 2004 qualifying match against Slovakia in Bratislava
The trouble apparently started when visiting fans in the stands behind one goal began hurling missiles at nearby Slovakian supporters.
Some even tried to scale the flimsy metal fence separating them from their rivals, who were celebrating Szilard Nemeth's goal, putting them 1-0 up in the 24th minute.
Just before half-time, as seats were being thrown, police wearing riot helmets and wielding batons forced England supporters to retreat.
The violence came as police in Bratislava investigating the shooting of two England football fans questioned a pair of private security workers.
Phil Holland, 31, from Worcester, was shot in the leg while Gareth Jones, 30, from Coventry, was shot in the throat.
He was undergoing surgery to remove a bullet, but is said to be in a stable condition.
Police said the manager of a bar in the city centre called a security service to remove about 60 England fans after they had reportedly been trying to pull their own pints of beer.
Security guards opened fire, said police spokeswoman Marta Bujnakova.
Police found 16 cartridges in the bar and have detained two security officers, but are still searching for another.
Mr Holland, a tiler, said: "We had been in the pub in the main square and were walking towards a nightclub when we heard some shots being fired.
"At first they seemed to be firing into the air.
"We all moved away from the noise - but then I suddenly realised I had been shot in the leg."

Stoke City - Wolverhampton Wanderers - 29/10/2002

Source: BBC

Dozens of fans were arrested and knives and fireworks seized as trouble flared at Stoke City's televised home match with Wolves last night. Riot police with dogs and horses managed to contain three attempted pitch invasions by home fans as they watched their side lose 2-0 to their West Midlands rivals at the Britannia Stadium.
The weapons, high-powered rockets and other fireworks were snatched during a police search of a coach carrying Wolves fans as they made their way to the ground. During the match, missiles were hurled from the terraces onto more than 100 officers as they battled to keep order.
Disturbances had started in Stafford hours before the tea-time kick-off and at least 18 fans from both sides were in custody as the match got under way. The figure later rose to 26. Afterwards officers said they had made "a significant number" of arrests of fans from both clubs.
They were detained before, during and after the match either in the ground or the immediate vicinity. To head off further trouble, officers kept home fans in the South Stand car park until the Wolverhampton coaches and cars had left. A police spokesman said: "There were three attempts to invade the pitch by Stoke fans.
"Officers in protective clothing succeeded in containing the incidents assisted by teams of horses and dog handlers.
"They were attacked by missiles thrown from the terraces but fortunately nobody was injured," added the police spokesman.
Trouble had been expected during the clash and police leave was cancelled as a huge security operation was mounted.
Leaders of rival supporters are understood to have used mobile phones to arrange clashes and so-called hooligan internet websites had been warning of fights at the match in the days leading up to the kick-off.

FC Utrecht - Legia Warszawa - 12/10/2002

Source: Soccer Fans website

The game was stopped during 38min just after Legia scored : Legia supporters throw fireworks after goal in the direction of the Utrecht section. As a reaction, Utrecht supporters went on the pitch, towards the Polish section. The ME (dutch police) had to make a charge to force Utrecht fans enter their block. There were allready some troubles before the match in de city centre.

Manchester City - Crewe Alexandra - 01/10/2002

Source: BBC

The FA are investigating Eyal Berkovic's throat-cutting gesture at a female fan - after a storm of protest.
Manchester City are already probing the flare-up in Tuesday's 3-2 home Worthington Cup win over Crewe.
But City today said the woman does not want to take the matter further - because it was a "misunderstanding".
Club spokesman Chris Bird said: "After a thorough investigation involving all parties in and around the area in question it is clear that there has been a misunderstanding of the actual situation.
"Having spoken this morning to the supporter involved, they are satisfied with the investigation and our actions and does not wish to take the matter further."
The woman is likely to be invited to meet Berkovic at the club's Carrington training ground or at a game.
The Israel midfielder claims he reacted after thinking he had suffered anti-Semitic abuse.

Wrexham FC - Everton FC - Cup - 01/10/2002

Source: BBC

Both Wrexham and Everton are holding inquiries into the pitch invasion which marred Wayne Rooney's night of history.

The Everton youngster installed himself as the club's youngest-ever goalscorer with a late double in the Merseysiders' 3-0 Worthington Cup win at the Racecourse Ground.

But the night was overshadowed by crowd trouble near the end of the match.

Referee Alan Kaye suspended play for several minutes as police fought to bring the incident under control, with Everton fans sprinting the length of the pitch to reach their colleagues.

Seven Everton and two Wrexham supporters were arrested and charged with invading the playing area and other public order and criminal offences, and the episode was shown on TV.

River Plate - Boca Juniors - 28/10/2002

Source : Google.images


River


Boca

Luton - Watford: Manchester cops to probe Hatters cup ruck - 08/10/2002

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

Outside force will examine complaints of poor policing
Greater Manchester Police have been called in to investigate the football hooliganism that erupted at Luton Town's match against Watford four weeks ago.

Hertfordshire police were heavily criticised over crowd control arrangements at the Worthington Cup tie between the Hatters and Hornets.

Luton troublemakers broke through perimeter advertising boards and fought with rival supporters as the game was about to start.

About 150 police officers were on duty, but while they were dealing with disturbances in Watford town centre there were running battles on the pitch for several minutes before order was restored.

Herts Constabulary confirmed this week that it had asked Greater Manchester Police to investigate the violence at the game and policing at all professional football matches in the county.

A spokeswoman said: "It is standard procedure for Hertfordshire Police to speak to experts and specialists in other forces to improve our service to the community.

"It's a new season and Greater Manchester Police have vast experience in crowd control at major football matches."

The Football Association and Football League are carrying out a joint investigation into trouble at the M1 derby the first to be played since 1998 and police are studying CCTV pictures in a bid to identify the culprits.

It is believed that some footage and still images of suspected troublemakers will eventually be released to the media.

A corner flag was used as a weapon and one fan was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital with a head wound.

The kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes and a minute's silence planned in memory of the victims of September 11 was scrapped. Only two arrests were made on the night one for public disorder and the other for theft.

Spain : Sevilla - Betis - ??/10/2002

Source : Elpais

Brazil : Guarani - Ponte Preta - 30/10/2002

Source : BBC News

At least 30 people were injured in Brazil when a stadium railing collapsed, minutes before the kick-off of a championship football match.

LKS Lodz - Slask Wroclaw - 26/10/2002

Source: https://www.youtube.com

VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8zUImv3Nho

Celtic: Sectarian thug given five years for glass attack - 12/10/2002

Source : Daily Mail

A CELTIC supporter who carried out a brutal sectarian attack on a Rangers fan was yesterday jailed for five years.

Jeffrey Robertson, 38, hit Martin McNair in the neck with a pint glass, severing his jugular vein.

Mr McNair bled so severely he lost about half the blood in his body.

Solicitor Advocate Murray Macara told the High Court in Glasgow that Robertson claimed he was regularly subjected to sectarian abuse after moving from Dundonald, Ayrshire, to Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, last year.

He said he was laughed at because he supported Celtic and his Celtic shirts were defaced and spat on as they hung on the washing line.

On the night of the attack he had gone to a dance at the local Lodge Ladywell Masonic club wearing a Celtic top.

He claimed he was subjected to a number of sectarian remarks and taunts before he struck Mr McNair with the glass.

Sentencing, judge Lord McEwan told him: 'You have pleaded guilty to a very serious matter which, regrettably, once again seems to have been set against a background of religious hostility between two football teams, which is deeply distressing.' Robertson had admitted assaulting Mr McNair to his severe injury and the danger of his life.

Wrexham - Everton, video added