Season 02/03 - August

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Burnley FC - 17/08/2002

Source: ITK forum

For this game, Burnley lads were 49 on a coach. Fifteen of their youths also came by train.
Prior to the game, after BFC lads were out of OB control, a toe-to-toe erupted with locals, at least 4-5 minutes. Before OB splitted their group, Wolves were present with 150 lads.

Chelsea FC - Portsmouth FC - 17/08/2002

Source: ITK forum

Here is a PFC fan view:
We came off train from Palace and were fronted by some Chelsea at Waterloo. They had OB around them. We told them we were going into the F.S. for a drink and to try and lose OB and come and join us. After waiting for half an hour nothing happened so we decided to go home. On going back into station it appeared that Chelsea were in Coopers trying to get out but as usual OB well on top. They were at the top of the steps steaming in with their batons. Don't know how many were in there but we could not get in and they could not get out. We were then chased by OB with swinging batons and dogs onto the platform and were then told that anyone getting off the train would get nicked.At the end of the day OB had it sorted and won the day. But fair play to both sets of lads we were both up for it. Dare say we will meet again on our travels.

Nottingham Forest - Sheffield Wednesday - 17/08/2002

Source: ITK forum

About 30 Forest came charging down towards Hooters. There were only 5 lads stood out on the bridge that stood, all the other Wednesday were inside the pub. Forest only got to the traffic lights, mouthed off, then OB ran them back with battons drwan. Went in that Casa bar. With about 20 that walked up to there but couldn't be arsed to queue for an hour for a drink so fucked off. Don't know anything about these lads being done.

Sète - Nïmes - 17/08/2002

Source: Le Midi Libre

At the end of the game, some ultras from Montpellier (their team played Bordeaux at home) tried to attack their arch-rivals. Some missiles were exchange (firecrackers...). French CRS made an intervention. At the end, 2 young Montpellier ultras were arrested.

RSC Charleroi - Standard Liège - 18/08/2002

Source: a belgian fans forum

Prior to the game, a toe-to-toe erupted, opposing arch-rival fans. Cavalry made an intervention, especially on local side. Just a few punches were exchanged. Some arrested were made.

FA to investigate Super Cup incident - 21/08/2002

Source: Reuters

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are to investigate an incident at the end of Sunday's first leg of the Spanish Super Cup final where Valencia's Santiago Canizares appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd. Because of the incident, the Spanish international goalkeeper refused to leave the pitch without an escort at the end of the game at Deportivo Coruna's Riazor stadium. The RFEF's Competitions Committee said it would request a report from the chief of security at the match and ask Valencia for details of any injuries sustained by Canizares before deciding on any action.

Sarajevo under siege as Bosnia, Yugoslavia face off - 21/08/2002

Source: AFP

Place for a friendly international football clash between Bosnia and Yugoslavia on Wednesday, the first since the end of the brutal war in the region. The Sarajevo match has been judged a "high security risk event," Miodrag Kures, a representative of the Bosnian football association, told AFP.
"Police will be deployed throughout the town. The players and fans will have a police escort all the way through and SFOR (NATO-led Stabilization Force) helicopters will carry out air surveillance," Kures said. "We will have more police than ever before, both uniformed and in plain clothes so there is no chance of any incidents," Kures added. Relations between the two neighbours have been strained since the 1992-95 war that broke out when Bosnia, at the time a Yugoslav republic, proclaimed independence. Bosnian Serbs who opposed the independence from the Serb-dominated federation were backed during the war by the regime of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, currently on trial before the UN war crimes tribunal for genocide and crimes allegedly committed during the Balkan wars. The match will also be the first friendly for Bosnia since unification of the nation's football league, which was divided for seven years between the associations of Bosnia's two post-war entities, Serb-run Republika Srpska (RS) and the Muslim-Croat Federation. At a Bosnia's championship match last week between RS club Borac and the Muslim-Croat Federation team Celik, police intervened to prevent serious clashes between rival fans. Borac supporters had to be escorted from the stadium in the central Bosnian town of Zenica after singing songs honouring the fugitive Bosnian Serb war-time leader Radovan Karadzic. Karadzic has been indicted by the UN war crimes tribunal for war crimes and genocide committed during the war. Bosnian Serbs were expected to attend Wednesday's match in large numbers to support the Yugoslav team, underlining still deep ethnic divisions. Kures said some 25,000 tickets were on sale for the match, which kicks off at 6.15 pm GMT at Sarajevo's 35,000 capacity Kosevo stadium. At the moment only some 2,250 tickets have been sold, but the sales were expected to pick up during the day "The match with our eastern neighbors (Yugoslavia) has a specific value... it is more than just a game," Mirsad Hibic, a player for Bosnia's multi-ethnic national team, was quoted as saying by Jutarnje Novine daily. SFOR spokesman Scott Lundy told AFP that NATO did not have any "special plans” for security. “We have sufficient numbers of soldiers in the area and are available to deal with unforeseen security crises, but we are very confident that local authorities can handle it," he said. Yugoslavia and Bosnia established diplomatic relations in late 2000 only after the fall of nationalist regimes in both countries. A friendly match was played between Sarajevo's Zeljeznicar and Belgrade's Partizan in 2001 in Sarajevo with no incidents reported.

Bosnia - Yugoslavia - Friendly match - 21/08/2002

Source: AFP

Nineteen policemen were hurt here late Wednesday in clashes with Bosnian fans following the first soccer match between Bosnia and Yugoslavia since their war ended in 1995. Two of the policemen were seriously injured and eight people were arrested following the match, Kristen Haupt, the spokeswoman for the UN Bosnian mission, told reporters Thursday. The match, a non-competitive friendly, had been identified as a potential source of violence, but the 12,000 fans were relatively calm during the match which the Yugoslavs won 2-0. The trouble started after the match as police tried to prevent fans of the Bosnian team and Bosnian Serbs, who came to the capital to cheer Yugoslav players, from clashing. Hospital sources here said 25 people were treated for head, leg and arm injuries, mostly after being hit by stones. Five of them were undergoing treatment in a hospital. The injured included a 24-year-old man from Niksic, a town in the smaller Yugoslav republic of Montenegro, who hospital sources said will lose one eye. His car, with Yugoslav plates, came under a hail of stones thrown by Bosnian fans at one of the intersections near the stadium. The group of several hundred Bosnian Serb fans were led out of the Kosevo stadium under police guard an hour and a half after the match finished. The UN mission here, tasked with supervision and training of local police, "commended" the 250-strong Sarajevo police force deployed at the stadium on their "professional performance," Haupt said. "It is very deplorable that this game which was announced as a friendly encounter was used by a number of people to express their violent and aggressive attitude," she added. Relations between Bosnia and Yugoslavia have been strained since the 1992-95 war that broke out when Bosnia, at the time a Yugoslav republic, proclaimed independence. Bosnian Serbs who opposed the independence from the Serb-dominated federation were backed during the war by the regime of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic. Milosevic is currently on trial before the UN war crimes tribunal for war crimes allegedly committed during the Balkan wars, including for genocide in Bosnia.

Basel fans arrested to prevent clashes - 21/08/2002

Source: Reuters

Swiss police have detained 22 potential hooligans to prevent clashes after Wednesday's friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Austria. 'Most of those temporarily detained are already well-known, have been banned from the stadium and must be classified as 'potentially violent',' Basel police said in a statement. The move came after fifteen police officers were injured in violent clashes following Saturday's Swiss league match between Basel and Lucerne. Several Basel fans were arrested after they hurled stones and attacked a bus of visiting supporters. The fans also wrecked a tram stop, smashed several shop windows and set fire to a kiosk. Police said they were checking the 22 detained on Wednesday for their possible involvement in Saturday's clashes.

Fans ticket warning - 21/08/2002

Source: Reuters

Celtic have urged fans without tickets not to travel to next week's tie against FC Basle following weekend crowd violence at the Swiss club. Basle lost at home to Lucerne on Saturday, prompting around 100 right-wing extremist fans to rampage through the city - although Swiss police have been quick to point out that the thugs were using the football as an excuse rather than a reason. But
fears are rising that Bhoys fans without tickets, who are unable to get into Basle's tiny ground next week, may be targeted by the hooligans and the Parkhead club are obviously keen to steer clear of any trouble. Basle are already expected to increase security in the area following the violence, with riot police expected to be in operation before and after the second leg of the Champions League qualifier which the Bhoys lead 3-1 after the first leg at Parkhead. Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Switzerland have reassured Celtic fans that they are not anticipating any problems, labelling the incidents at the weekend as "one-off".

Italia - Slovenia - Friendly match - 21/08/2002

Source: La Stampa + Datasport

For this game, played in Trieste, about 4000 slovenian fans made the transfer. During 1st half they threw smoke bombs and firecrackers at the italian goalkeeper. Carabinieri enterend their stand, trying to restore order, but fans fought with them.
At the 67th minute, a visiting supporter ran across the field.
Finally, the game was stopped 3 times and 3 Slovenians were arrested. A policeman was also injured.
At the end of the game, Slovenians (most of them were from Maribor and Ljubljana) continued to create disorder outside the stadium. Three others policemen were injured.

Czech Republic - Slovakia - Friendly match - 21/08/2002

Source: a czech fans website

A fight broke out between Banik Ostrava (cz) and Trnava (sk) on one side and Brno with Klatovy (cz) and Slovan Bratislava (sk) on the other.

Standard Liège - RSC Anderlecht - 23/08/2002

Source: belgian TV

Prior to the game, a group of +- 100 Anderlecht fans was arrested

Partizan Belgrade punished for crowd trouble - 23/08/2002

Source: Reuters

Partizan Belgrade were ordered to play their next European match behind closed doors and fined a total of 42,000 Swiss francs by the Disciplinary Committee, UEFA reported on Friday.
Partizan have been punished after their fans threw missiles which hit a linesman and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn during their Champions League qualifying match in Belgrade on August 14. They were also fined because their fans let off fireworks and for a lack of organisation at the game. Partizan lost the first leg 3-0 to the Germans and are likely to be eliminated from the competition when they travel to Munich for the second leg on Tuesday. Losers at this stage of the Champions League qualifying competition go into the UEFA Cup and Partizan's next home European match is almost certain to be in the first round of that competition. As well as being ordered to play behind closed doors for the trouble against Bayern, the club were also fined 20,000 Swiss francs for offences that occurred in the second qualifying round. UEFA imposed further fines of 22,000 francs on them after trouble at the home and away legs of their second qualifying round tie against Hammarby of Sweden on July 31 and August 7. The biggest fine imposed by the Disciplinary Committee was one of 25,000 Swiss francs on SK Tirana of Albania after their fans threw missiles at officials during their UEFA Cup match against Romania's National Bucharest in the first leg of their qualifying round tie last week. National won 1-0.

Rennes - Marseille - 23/08/2002

Source: a Rennes fans forum

It seems a fight occured before the game, opposing the local ultra group called RCK to the ones from Marseille called Fanatics. Weapons as belts, bottles and bricks were used. A local fan was transfered at the hospital. The local Section Punisher banner was also stolen by visitors.

Le Havre - Paris SG - 23/08/2002

Source: a french fans forum

It seems some skirmishes erupted before the game, opposing ultras from both teams. An official Le Havre banner was also stolen.

Gladiator - Latina - Cup - 24/08/2002

Source: Tifonet

Riots occured for this italian cup game, played in Genzano (neutral pitch). Gladiator ultras arrived in Genzano some hours before kick-off and when they went out of their coach, they attacked with missiles the outnumbered Latina fans (8 ). Policemen made an intervention. When the coach of Latina arrived, no toe-to-toe erupted between both groups, as policemen wereon the place.
Latina ultras tried to charge Casertana ultras, who were present outside the stadium, but they never had a confrontation, as policemen charged them. A the end of 1st half, Latina ultras tried to reach the local sector but policemen made another intervention. At the beginning of 2nd half, Gladiator ultras tried to make the same, but without result. After 10 minutes of skirmishes, policemen restored order. After 15 minutes of calm, Latina ultras made a 2nd attack, this time without large police presence: they entered the Gladiator sector and a violent fight erupted between both sides. The game was suspended for 10 minutes.

Plymouth Argyle - Bristol City - 24/08/2002

Source: ITK forum

Here is a BRFC view:
Went on sunday night 40 early city game as fuck on union st. handbags today inside and outside the ground, plymouth and city fighting with police. Good turnout from both sides.

Banfield - Lanus - 25/08/2002

Source: INFOSIC

This derby was abandoned at the 23rd minute, by referee decision. In fact, violent scuffles, opposing police to Lanus fans erupted. Some people were injured and 25 others were arrested. everything started when Lanus fans were closed to the stadium: they threw bricks at locals. Things became nasty when police arrived on the place. Lanus fans fought with them, but policemen used gunshots and cs-gas.

River Plate - Estudiantes - 25/08/2002

Source: Rai TV

After their team was defeat 6-0, Estudiantes fans invaded the pitch.

Sparta Praha - RC Genk - 27/08/2002

Source: belgian newspapers

Some riots occured the day of the game, and the day before, opposing both sides of supporters. Some damages were also caused, some Belgians were stabbed and one of them was transfered at hospital. About 3000 Belgians made the transfer.

RSC Charleroi - FC Antwerp - 31/08/2002

Source: a belgian fans forum + RTBF teletext

A violent fight erupted between fans from both teams. No people were injured. seven Antwerp fans, aged from 25 to 32 years old, were arrested. They were know for other hooliganism facts. They will appear before a court.

Prior to the game, little scuffles erupted with ACC'ers and some Standard lads, in a motorway parking, in Nivelles.
After the game, a toe-to-toe erupted between both sides but gendarms restore order. Visitors took their cars for another place but when they saw locals, they stayed inside the cars and took another road without. One car was damaged as it was the only one to stayed there.
A local fan was also attacked.

FC Gueugnon - St Etienne - 31/08/2002

Source: a french fans forum

During the game, a fight erupted, opposing both ultras groups of St Etienne: Magic Fans and Green Angels. French CRS made an intervention to restore order.

Como - Venezia Mestre - Friendly game - 31/08/2002

Source: Datasport

After violent clashes, who occured during the journey, between ultras of both teams, the game was not played for security reasons.

Universitatea Craiova - Steaua Bucarest - 31/08/2002

Source: Reuters

Three Steaua Bucharest supporters were wounded by rubber bullets in a clash with police at the weekend as they returned from their team's defeat by Universitatea Craiova, police said
on Monday. "Police special forces used their guns to restore order on the highway linking Pitesti to Bucharest," a police statement said. The statement said the incident happened after around 1,000 Steaua supporters, angry at a 3-1 defeat, had blocked traffic on the highway 80 kilometres north of Bucharest, smashing windows of a local restaurant and stoning passing cars. A spokesman for the Bucharest hospital treating the fans confirmed that three people had been admitted with wounds caused by rubber bullets, one of whom was "seriously injured". "They (Steaua fans) almost destroyed the bar and attacked several drivers," a waiter working at the restaurant told private television station Antena 1. The club's fans have a reputation for violence, particularly in
clashes with fans of city rivals Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest. In 1996 a Steaua supporter was stabbed to death by Rapid Bucharest fans inside the stadium. Steaua are languishing in 14th place in the 16-team Romanian championship, their worst position for 16 years.