Season 03/04 - September

Fans warned against Macedonia trip - 01/09/2003

Source: Reuters

Football Association officials are urging England fans not to jeopardise their own safety and the team's hopes of reaching Euro 2004 by trying to attend Saturday's qualifier in Macedonia.
For October's Group Seven clash in Turkey, the FA will not be taking up its ticket allocation, while it has advised fans not to travel to the game in Skopje, fearing crowd trouble that could lead to UEFA sanctions.
'Anyone who travels against our advice and finds themselves caught up in trouble risks being banned for life by the FA from receiving England tickets,' FA marketing and communications chief Paul Barber said.
'They would be potentially putting themselves in danger, putting our possibility of competing in the European championship finals in danger and even jeopardising our chances of playing international football going forward.
'We urge people not to travel, but to stay at home and watch the game on TV...Macedonian authorities have also made it very clear that any fans who travel to the match and misbehave can expect to be dealt with in the most severe way.'
England fans are effectively on trial in both remaining away qualifiers as European soccer's ruling body UEFA has warned their team could be kicked out of Euro 2004 if there is a repeat of the crowd trouble that marred April's home win over Turkey.
Barber said the preparations for Saturday's game involved the most comprehensive planning exercise ever undertaken by the FA for an away England international.
Police spotters will be at the Skopje stadium looking for known trouble makers, while checks will also be made for black market and forged tickets.
Despite the appeals, the FA is aware that a limited number of England fans will try to get to the game, most likely via Sofia or Greek holiday resorts.
The FA have purchased all England's allocation of 2,500 tickets and is giving them to underprivileged youngsters from ethnic backgrounds across Macedonia.
Kids have initially been given vouchers that will be exchanged for tickets at the ground, once their identities have been checked, to prevent them ending up on the black market.
Barber said the FA's move to keep fans away from the game had been taken reluctantly, and that the view had been taken on board by England supporters.
'This is a difficult situation and we've taken a difficult decision,' he said. 'The majority of fans I've spoken to understand the decision. They don't necessarily agree with it or like it, but they understand it and respect it.
'Therefore I would question the motivation of those hell-bent on travelling.'
Fans who ignore the advice will be at risk partly because, since the FA are not using their ticket allocation, there will be no segregation of fans at the ground.
Macedonia has been plagued by sporadic violence since an ethnic Albanian guerrilla insurgency in 2001, some of it believed to be linked to rival criminal gangs in the impoverished Balkan country.
England are second in their group on 13 points from five games, two behind Turkey who have played a game more. One of those two teams will qualify automatically for next year's finals, while the other heads into the play-offs.

Police blamed for Argentina violence - 01/09/2003

Source: Reuters

Argentine soccer clubs Boca Juniors and Chacarita Juniors blamed 'nonexistent' police security on Monday for riots that injured at least 72 people and forced their latest match to be abandoned.
'Sufficient preventive measures were not taken given the rivalry that has always existed between these two groups of fans,' said Boca vice-president Pedro Pompilio.
'We're paying for security that does not exist. There were not even arrests after the incidents,' Armando Capriotti, vice-president of Chararita, told Reuters.
Boca's match at home on Sunday to Chacarita Juniors was abandoned in the 66th minute when Chacarita supporters in the upper tier threw objects on to opposition fans below and Boca followers attempted to invade the visitors' section.
Police used tear gas as they attempted to prevent supporters clashing and referee Oscar Sequeira had no option but to call the game off.
But club officials said only 10 of the 450 police at the match were involved in preventing the fans from fighting each other.[b]

Player hit by missile in Chilean derby - 01/09/2003

Source: Reuters

A derby match between Chile's two most popular clubs was abandoned in the second half after a player was hit by an object thrown from the crowd on Sunday.
Universidad de Chile defender Nelson Pinto was about to take a throw-in against arch-rivals Colo Colo when he was struck in the face and sustained a cut.
Referee Ruben Selman immediately called off the match, which was being played in front of a 40,000 crowd at Colo Colo's Monumental stadium. The score was 1-1.
'We all agreed the match should be suspended,' Selman told reporters. 'There was no way we could play on.'
The match kicked off 15 minutes late after dozens of fans climbed the fencing surrounding the pitch at the compact arena, which has no running track around the field.
'I believe (the perpetrators) are delinquents and not Colo Colo supporters,' said Universidad de Chile coach Victor Castaneda, whose team left the field under a hail of missiles.
Christian Thompson put Universidad de Chile ahead in the fifth minute, with Miguel Aceval equalising three minutes later with a brilliantly-taken free kick.
Last week, Universidad de Chile's match at home to Huachipato was interrupted when fans began hurling stones onto the field in protest at their team's performance.

Ujpest Budapest - Ferencvaros - 01/09/2003

Source: Reuters

Tear gas fired at Ujpest brawlers

Dozens of riot police fired tear gas at Ujpest supporters fighting among themselves during a highly charged game against rivals Ferencvaros in Hungary's first division on Monday.
Violence erupted behind the Ujpest goal during the second half around 10 minutes after Ferencvaros equalised through a Zoltan Gera penalty.
The game continued as police moved in quickly to stop some 100 home fans who brawled in the stands for around 10 minutes.
A Reuters eye-witness said at least six fans were arrested.
Ferencvaros won their first point of the season, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw.
Hungary's Football Association had deducted six points from last season's runners-up Ferencvaros following crowd violence at their last game of the season - a goalless draw against Debrecen that allowed MTK to clinch the title

Police optimistic about Skopje match - 07/09/2003

Source : REUTERS

No known hooligans have entered Macedonia for England's Euro 2004 qualifier and no incidents have been reported involving English fans, police say.
David Swift, head of the British police delegation, was cautiously optimistic about the behaviour of England supporters before Saturday's Group Seven game in Skopje.
England's Football Association (FA) had urged fans not to travel to the game, fearing a rerun of crowd trouble in April's 2-0 home win over Turkey that could lead to the team being excluded from next year's championship in Portugal.
UEFA, European football's governing body, had warned that any repeat could lead to England being thrown out. They were second in the group behind Turkey before Saturday's matches but with a game in hand. Their final match on October 11 is in Turkey.
Swift told a news conference that, as of late Friday, some 300 British passport holders had entered Macedonia, with a further 200 expected on Saturday.
To date, none of the 1,700 troublemakers issued with banning orders, which prevent them from leaving Britain, had been identified at Macedonian border checks.
In addition to those subject to a banning order, Swift said: "None of the individuals who we would normally associate with organising or being significant participants in any form of disorder or trouble have been identified either."
Glad that only 500 England fans were expected at the game, having bought tickets on the black market, Swift said: "That represents a considerable success.
ADVICE HEEDED
"It does show that the advice of the FA and the British government has been substantially heeded.
"I can't recall there ever being an England game in a foreign country, regardless of how far away it was, with less individuals present from England."
The FA have not taken their ticket allocation for England fans, setting them aside instead for Macedonian youngsters, in the hope of avoiding crowd problems.
Local authorities have not planned any segregation of fans within the Skopje stadium and all supporters will be searched on their away into the ground, Swift said.
"Macedonian police have some 1,500 officers available to deploy. Their strategy is based on tolerance, understanding and communication, but a preparedness to act if necessary," he said.
British officers have been working alongside Macedonian police at the borders with Bulgaria and Greece, and within Skopje itself.
The FA have also turned down their ticket allocation for England's final qualifier on October in Turkey. Swift made a plea to fans who have made it to Skopje not to contemplate heading for Istanbul.
Beckham rocked by Macedonia treatment


Source : TEAMtalk

David Beckham has revealed that he was spat at and received death threats from opposing players during Saturday night's 2-1 win over Macedonia.
England captain Beckham helped to set up Wayne Rooney for England's equaliser in Skopje and then hit home the winner from the penalty spot.
But the Real Madrid midfielder was left seething by the treatment he received in the Euro 2004 qualifier.
He told The Independent: "I was spat at two or three times, and other players were as well. One of their players said to me, 'You won't get out of here alive'."
Sven Goran Eriksson confirmed that Beckham was angered by a series of challenges on him and it took the half-time interval for him to calm him down before leading England's revival.
"I think David Beckham did well. He is important with his delivery and his heart for the team," said Eriksson.
"He knew the importance of the game and he was a little bit upset coming into the dressing-room but he was calm again after 30 seconds and then said 'come on boys, let's go out and do it'."
Beckham also spoke of the racist chants aimed at Liverpool striker Emile Heskey.
"It [racist chanting] has been cut out of game for years but it has started to creep back in in some countries," he said.
"We were well aware before the game because it happened at the Under-21 match.
"Our players are well aware and are well above that."
Macedonia face racism probe


Source : BBC

Uefa is to start disciplinary proceedings against the Macedonian Football Association following the racist chanting during Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier against England.
England's black players were targeted for abuse by Macedonia fans during the game in Skopje, which England won 2-1. BBC commentator Alan Green offered to identify some of the culprits during the broadcast of the match on Radio Five Live.
And Uefa's communications and public affairs director Mike Lee told the BBC on Monday: "We're starting disciplinary proceedings today.
"We will be looking at the report from the game, and the match video. I listened to the game and heard what Alan Green heard."
The English Football Association's director of marketing Paul Barber confirmed the incidents had been reported to Uefa's match delegate.
"It's clear to all of us that there was jeering of our national anthem. A St George flag was also burned before kick-off," said Barber.
"Our black players, most notably Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey, suffered racial abuse from some sections of the home fans.
"This is not the first time that our players have suffered such abuse in this qualifying campaign.
"I can confirm that, on the morning of the match, as part of our routine operational meeting, the FA had taken time to explain to our opponents, the match officials, the police and the Uefa delegate how seriously we viewed any form of racist behaviour.
"I can confirm that all the incidents were reported to the Uefa match delegate. We must now leave Uefa to consider its delegate report."
Slovakia were ordered to play their home qualifier against Liechtenstein in April behind closed doors after their fans racially abused England players in Bratislava last October.
And England were fined £70,000 in May for racist abuse and crowd trouble during the 2-0 win over Turkey at the Stadium of Light in April.

Italy - Wales - 08/09/2003

Source : BBC News

Fans fined for Italy violence

Nine Welsh football fans have been given suspended prison sentences or fined for fighting in Milan ahead of Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier.
The eight men and a woman appeared before magistrates in Milan on Monday after a brawl between groups of Welsh fans erupted in Milan city centre last Friday evening.

The Welsh fans, believed to be supporters of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, were fighting with each other and damaging restaurant property, a spokesman for police in Milan said.

Eleven were initially arrested, but two were later released.

The remaining nine were remanded in custody over the weekend.

A spokeswoman for the court said they admitted offences including fighting, resisting authorities and criminal damage.

Some were fined 200 euros (£140) while others were given suspended sentences of between one and four months.

They were now free to return home, the spokeswoman said.

Up to 10,000 Wales fans were in Milan to see their side beaten 4-0 by Italy on Saturday night.

Meanwhile official Wales supporters clubs are making official complaints to the European football authorities after they were pelted with missiles throughout the game.

Barrage of missiles

The Welsh supporters were sited in the lower tier of Milan's San Siro stadium, with Italian fans above them.

They claim Italian police did not take action to stop a barrage of coins, bottles and other missiles raining down on them during the match.

The Football Association of Wales has said the Italian authorities should not have let their fans into the seats above.

And South Wales Police said they were disappointed their advice to the Italian authorities about crowd control had not been heeded.

Wales supporter Chris Caldwell told BBC Radio Wales: "I'll be writing a report to the Welsh FA.

"I've been to a lot of matches, worked at the Millennium Stadium, and I feel that the organisation (in Italy) was a sham.

"We are going to get punished over this and on this occasion feel that a lot of it is unjustified.

"It will give bad publicity to Wales fans travelling abroad."

One fan arriving in Cardiff International Airport following the match said: "They were spitting on us and I got hit.

"The police just lost control."

Another fan said: "People were urinating on us, spitting on us and fireworks were thrown at us."

In a statement Chief Superintendent Jeff Cooksley, of South Wales Police, said: "We cannot condone any bad behaviour by football supporters, whether Italian or Welsh, although we are aware of significant intimidation and violence towards Welsh supporters, who were subjected to bottle, can and coin-throwing throughout the game.

"Prior to the match, South Wales Police had made representations to the Italian authorities and we were assured that sufficient police officers and segregation procedures would be in place to prevent any violence.

"On the night of the match, however, it was clear that these steps had not been taken and we brought this to the attention of the Italian police and stadium authorities.

"Consequently, South Wales Police has made further representation to the Italian authorities."

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

Source : TEAMtalk + Getty Images

Uefa to probe San Siro incidents

Uefa is to launch an investigation into crowd trouble during Wales' Euro 2004 4-0 defeat by Italy in Milan at the weekend.
The Football Association of Wales has officially complained about the treatment of its 8,000 fans in the San Siro stadium.
Uefa spokesman Mike Lee has now confirmed that they will be investigating claims from Welsh fans that they were pelted with missiles from Italians in the upper tier above them.
Lee said: "We have set up a disciplinary investigation to look at security at the game and crowd problems.''
And the FAW has written to Uefa to express its concerns over the stadium arrangements in Milan and the "poor behaviour of Italian fans in the tier above the Welsh supporters''.
FAW secretary general David Collins said: "We had expected a sterile area in that section with the first three rows clear to protect our fans.''
Collins' letter to Uefa continued: "This was particularly disappointing as in a pre-match visit to Milan on August 7, the FAW together with representatives of South Wales Police asked the Italian authorities to place a sterile area in front of the second tier stand above the Welsh part of the ground.
"We also asked for a police presence there and for tickets for this section of the stadium to be sold last of all in the case of the match being a sell-out, to prevent exactly what happened last Saturday.
"Unfortunately the advice given to the Italian authorities went unheeded and the Welsh fans were subjected to missiles and urine being thrown at them.
"The FAW wish to praise the vast majority of Welsh fans who behaved very well in this hostile atmosphere.''
A decision will be announced before the final round of group matches on 11 October.

Violence stops Argentinian league - 10/09/2003

Source: Reuters

The Argentine soccer championship was suspended on Tuesday, 10 days after 70 people were injured in crowd violence which forced a first division match to be abandoned.
The Argentina Football Association (AFA) decided to stop the whole championship after a judge on Monday slapped a 15-day ban on matches in the capital Buenos Aires, an AFA spokesman said.
'The Executive Committee (of the AFA) has decided that, until the judge lifts the ban on playing in Buenos Aires, there will not be football in the rest of the country, in any division.
'The idea is to avoid injustices and that teams in one area play while teams in another do not. When everyone can play, they'll play.'
The trouble broke out at the Apertura championship match between South American champions Boca Juniors and local rivals Chacarita Juniors at the famous Bombonera stadium on August 31.
The match was halted midway through the second half as Chacarita fans in the upper tier hurled objects at Boca supporters below them. Boca fans attempted to invade the Chacarita section and police used teargas to stop the trouble.
Argentine soccer fans are among the most passionate and colourful in the world but the sport has also been marred by a history of violence, mainly caused by notorious hardcore supporters known as 'Barras Bravas.'
Barely a season passes without fatalities and matches being interrupted.
Earlier this year, two people were killed as convoys of buses carrying rival sets of fans to first division matches in two different cities crossed paths on a major highway and supporters clashed.

Belgium - Croatia - 10/09/2003

Source: belgian newspapers

Some scuffles erupted before the game. About 20 Croatians were arrested.

FC Metz - La Louvière - Friendly game - 06/09/2003

Source: mail - FCM fan

This friendly game was played in Longwy at the border between both countries. We were there with about 12 independants fans and some youths from the Generation Grenat ultra group. On the belgian side, a coach with 35/40 fans and lads.
In 1st half, we stood on the pub and Belgians stayed inside the ground, always provoking, singing 'We fuck Frenchies', 'Hools Hools Louviere', 'Come one'....
At half time the went out of their terrace and continued to provoke us. We decided to took their road, marching in direciton of these 20 Belgians. We charged and 1st Belgians retreated to their stand. The ones who stayed refused a toe-to-toe. French CRS made an intervention with dogs and flash-balls.

Three Nice fans arrested - 11/09/2003

Source: AFP

Three Nice fans were arrested after they were involved in incidents who occured during the game against Ajaccio and where 2 CRS were slightly injured.

Chelsea FC - Tottenham Hotspurs - 13/09/2003

Source: ITK

Chelsea got smashed by Yids at arranged meet at Kings Cross. One CFC lad was seriously injured.

FC Zurich - FC Basel - 14/09/2003

Source: Reuters

Riots occured, opposing 300 rival fans at the end of this game. Five people were injured. Police forces, who used water canons, teargas and gunshots, have arressted 9 fans.

Lyon - RSC Anderlecht - 17/09/2003

Source: post OL lad

Some days before the game, both firms confirmed an off who will be opposing 2 groups of 60 fans, without weapons and some kilometers far away from the stadium.
On our side, we were 50 Lyon fans (Cosa Nostra group in majority + some ultras); Belgians appearing (it seems they are 90). A small toe-to-toe occured, some missiles are threw from both sides (bottles on belgian side and chairs on french side). A first fight erupted, opposing the 2 first lines. Belgians used belts, as Frenchies. Both sides stayed their ground...the rest of the belgian mob is now arriving and locals have to retreat. Only 2 policemen are now on the place. New fights erupted in the street, more violently. Some Lyon fans lied on the street (but Belgian stayed fair-play). Some Belgians are also punched up but they continued their march on. Lyon lads (35-40) have to retreat a second time. Police forces started to come.
Everythings calm down. Most of Belgians took the road of the stadium and some stayed with us, given congratulations.

Finally, we must admit a complete belgian win who were there with a fuckin' good mob (they said they were the dobble than the group who came at the agreed place)...
If some belts were present, all the rest stayed fair between both sides.
On Lyon side, we are proud to accept an off with Belgians. It's true we have to retreat but we don't care, we were there against them.

Sparta Prague - Chelsea FC - 16/09/2003

Source: forums + post

After the game, 12 CFC lads were ambushed by a group of 40 Sparta lads, throwing bricks and spraying cs gas.
Another incident erupted in the square, where another group of 40 locals attacked outnumbered CFC fans.

Sparta view:

After the match ACS - CFC attacked 35 Sparta hools ca. 25 CFC on the square. At first Sparta lads thrown some bricks, but after that they were without weapons. CFC lads have one knife and spraying CS gas and thrown some glasses. After short fight CFC runned away. After short time this same group ACS lads attacked other CFC group. They runned away too. After that was strong police presence at place.

Juventus Turin - Galatasaray - 16/09/2003

Source: Tifonet

Four Juventus ultras were arrested by the Digos, as they had stadiums bans.

Dynamo Kiev - Lokomotiv Moscow - 17/09/2003

Source: post

1100 supporters of Lokomotiv came to the capital of Ukraine-Kiev.There were a lot troubles(near and in the stadium) and there are a lot versions(views) about the events which happened in Kiev...Ok...

The view of Dinamo Kiev side:The first fight was in the metro station Botanicheskiy Sad versus CSKA Kiev and Lokomotiv's hooligans:fair play,4 * 4 -the victory of CSKA hools.The second fight was near the Universitet metro station ,but no big results,exactly at that time we saw a big mob of Spartak M. and CSKA M. hooligans ???!! The 3rd incident was the main and the most aggressive!In the guest side the main "role play" Spartak Moscow hools(the fight was in Botan. Sad again).We fought without any weapons-but Moscow guests were with bottles,stones,fireworks .After a long fight Loko's hooligans ran after us down from the hill (there were about 100 hools).One more trouble was on the Palac sporta:we broke theirs firstline and other fans ran to their buses.Under the sector there was a trouble 8(Dinamo fans) vs 20(Loko side) ,but the police stopped this incident. There were also a lot of fights 1*1 .In the end of the day some things became clear that Dinamo M.,CSKA M.,Spartak M. and of course Lokomotiv M. hooligans and supporters came to Kiev...

Lokomotiv Moscow version: There were 20-25 of us, and suddenely you (Kiev fans) began to fight with us and at first time you were the winners,but after we groupped together and light the firework you went back and than you ran away to the metro station.You only had one "super-mega" action when you (about 25 hools) decided to beat 2 Muscovites,and NOT you first began the fight with them but they began to fight with you firstly.After you understood that they are in obvious minority ,you began to beat them very cruelty!!!The trouble was stopped by the police.Welcome to Moscow!!!We are waiting for you!!!...

We also have a big troubles in the stand.When we threw the firework from the upper layer to the lower the special Ukranian police-"Berkut" began to beat us and there were some incidents with them...

Avellino - SC Napoli - 20/09/2003

Source: scontri.it + Reuters

Prior to the game, a large scale of Napoli fans stayed outside the stadium as they were without tickets.
After a short time of tensions, police forces were assaulted by these fans.
Inside the stadium, a 20-year old Napoli fan felt down from his stand and was seriously injured.
Finally, a 100 handed mob of Napoli fans forced some gates and entered the pitch, with batons and other weapons, attacking police forces because they caused the felt of the fan.
Police forces used teargas to restore order.
The game was not finally played because these violent riots.
**************************************************
One fan was in a coma and more than 30 policemen were recovering from injuries on Sunday after an Italian Serie B match between southern sides Avellino and Napoli was called off amid violence the night before.
Napoli supporter Sergio Ercolano, 29, fell 20 metres from the upper tier of Avellino's stadium when ticketless fans pushed into the stand behind him.
Doctors said on Sunday he might not come out of the coma. Delays in getting Ercolano to hospital because of difficulties in reaching him had aggravated his situation.
Dozens of policemen were injured in the rush to get into the stadium after thousands of Napoli fans were left without tickets. One policeman was stabbed in the leg and a 63-year-old police chief collapsed after being hit.
Shocking television images showed fans, many with their faces covered, targeting isolated guards and policemen as they invaded the pitch before kick-off.
The game was postponed to a date to be fixed.
It was the latest in a series of violent incidents to mar the top two leagues of Italian football. Last season, matches involving Serie A sides Como and Torino had to be abandoned because of crowd trouble.
In the lower division, supporters attacked Napoli captain Francesco Baldini in his car and Messina goalkeeper Emanuele Manitta was punched unconscious by a fan during a match against Cagliari.













Italian fan's death sparks calls for tighter security


(AFP) - Italian interior minister Giuseppe Pisanu called for an emergency meeting with the country's football authorities after violence at a second division match left one fan dead and scores of police injured.

Pisanu is demanding tighter security at matches following the horrific scenes which preceded Saturday's evening game between southern rivals Avellino and Napoli.

Sergio Ercolano, 20, died in hospital on Monday afternoon after failing to recover from a heavy fall from the upper tier of the away supporters' enclosure.

"At this moment there are only tears," said Gennaro Montuori, a Napoli fan for 20 years.

Montuori said he had predicted something tragic would happen unless the authorities improved security at football matches.

"My shouts went unheard. For years I have said in a loud voice that every fan in the world of football was changing. But nobody, no club, no institute wanted to listen."

Francesco Totti, captain of Italian first division side Roma, was one of the first to pay his respects to Ercolano and his family.

"It's terrible news, something I didn't want to hear. My condolences go out to his family," said the Italy international.

"Football should be fun, a pastime that the people can enjoy in the right spirit.

"Instead we see scenes like the ones at Avellino which make me feel like giving up football altogether.

"The whole family, including kids, should be able to go to the stadium without fear.

"I don't know if my appeal will make a difference, but I want to do it - 'Stop it otherwise football will rot'."

Ercolano fell through a sheet of plexiglass before hitting the ground as scores of ticketless fans forced their way into the stadium shortly before kick-off.

The police's failure to get aid to Ercolano quickly provoked an angry response from around 100 Napoli supporters, who ran on to the pitch and attacked officers at random with bars and belts.

The match had to be abandoned before a ball was even kicked and is likely to result in a stadium closure for Napoli whose fans have been in trouble before.

Violence overshadowed many matches in Italy last season with the worst scenes at Torino's home match against AC Milan.

Hundreds of home supporters went on the rampage inside the stadium, attacking police with masonry, sticks and flares and forcing the game to be abandoned.

Torino were hit with a five-match stadium ban and had to play their home matches at a neutral ground.

Despite calls for tough action, very few Torino fans were arrested for their part in the violence which left many policemen injured and caused thousands of euros' worth of damage.

Trieste - Livorno - 21/09/2003

Source: Rai

Prior to the game, a group of 94 Livorno ultras were arrested near the town of Udinese as they caused troubles during their way to Trieste.

AEK Athens - Panathinaikos - 21/09/2003

Source: forums + AP

There were serious incidents yesterday at the Aek-Panathinaikos game.Things
were tensed since on Friday night about 100 Panathinaikos hools attacked a
central Aek clubInside the club there were many Aek hools and there were
heavy fights until the riot police arrived 30 mins later.
So yesterday groups of Aek hools tried to reach the Panathinaikos
organised fans who were coming escorted to the stadium.
The massive police forces prevented them from doing so.But inside the
stadium there were many fans injured - especially from Panathinaikos side -
as there were many stones and flares exchanged plus some baton charges by
the riot police who tried restore order.15 arrests were made.
The stadium that Aek are playing this year is very small so there can't be
an empty space so wide that fans stones can't reach each other.Also it is in
a bad condition so it is easy to ''produce'' such artilery. I expect that
the same incidents will happen when we play there also.
*********************************************************
Three fans were injured and 15 detained by police after clashes broke out Sunday between supporters of Athens rivals AEK and Panathinaikos, authorities said.
Rival groups of fans battled near Nea Smyrni stadium and in several other parts of the city, and clashed with riot police inside the stadium.
Fans set fires in the stands, ripped up plastic seats, and threw flares onto the pitch.
In central Athens, a group of youths driving scooters set fire to a car, which was destroyed by the flames.
The game ended 2-2, keeping Panathinaikos at the top of the league with 10 points. AEK shares third place with Iraklis Thessaloniki with eight points, one behind defending champion Olympiakos.

Napoli fan dies after stadium fall - 22/09/2003

Source: Reuters

A fan of Italian club Napoli died on Monday after falling from a stand at a Serie B match at the weekend, police in the southern city of Avellino said.
Sergio Ercolano fell from the upper tier of the stadium in Avellino before the Serie B match against Napoli on Saturday and had been in a coma.
Reports said he had been part of a group of Napoli fans who charged police and entered the stadium without tickets by climbing over an external wall.
Ercolano fell through a plastic roofing that was below the wall and above the stand.
Violent clashes followed the accident with police rounded upon by fans wielding sticks -- a total of 34 civilians and military policemen were injured.
After the violence the match was called off.

Napoli hit by five-game stadium ban - 24/09/2003

Source: Reuters

Napoli have been ordered by the Italian Football League to play their next five home games behind closed doors after violence at the weekend in Avellino in which one died and more than 30 police were injured.
None of the matches can be played at their San Paolo stadium.
The suspension will begin from September 27's Serie B match against Ascoli and will end on November 9 when Salernitana visit, the League said in a statement on its official website on Wednesday.
It is not yet clear where Napoli, Maradona's former club, will play these matches which will not be watched by any supporters. No immediate comment from Napoli was available.
Napoli supporter Sergio Ercolano died on Monday as a result of injuries sustained when he fell more than 30 feet after scaling the outer wall at Avellino's Partenio stadium.
As medics arrived to help him, hundreds of Napoli fans invaded the pitch and fought with police in the worst outbreak of violence seen in Italian football in recent years.
The match was eventually called off. A separate judgment by the League - which governs clubs in Italy's top two divisions - is expected by Italian media to award Avellino an automatic 3-0 win.
Ercolano's death was the worst in a series of incidents to mar Italian football. Last season, matches involving Serie A sides Como and Torino had to be abandoned because of crowd trouble.
Torino received a similar five-match stadium ban after their fans rioted during a match against AC Milan in February this year.
In Serie B, supporters attacked Napoli captain Francesco Baldini in his car last November and Messina goalkeeper Emanuele Manitta was punched unconscious by a fan during a match against Cagliari the same month.

Cardiff City - West Ham United - 23/09/2003

Source: ITK - West Ham view

...Got the 10.30 from Paddington, getting into Cardiff just before 1pm. Met by Ridiculous amount of OB. In hindsight getting off at Newport was a better idea. Marched to The Springbok Pub in town, and told we would be leaving the Pub at 6.30 (!!!!). Numbers in the Springbok were around 250, with more on another train, and those who drove. One of ours got a call saying 800 was on it's way to meet us, which was quickly laughed away. About 3pm we got a more realistic quote of 150/200, who were apparently in a boozer round the corner from us. A quick walk and a word with one of them confirmed this to be true. From what i could see Cardiff only had 2 or 3 OB outside there Boozer, compared to our 40/50, if so, maybe a bit more effort could of been made?

After consuming 200 pints of stella each it was decided we would make a move earlier (The place was starting to stink!) and piled out about 5.45ish, catching OB out a bit at first, but they soon got there shit together and the mother of all escorts was sorted. Got round the corner of The Sprinbok, and who should be in the Car Park with 2 of his cronies? None other than Mr. Body Guard himself flapping his arms about and shouting (Grrrrr!). The Piss was taken out of him for 5 minutes (He didn't look a happy bunny), and we continued, through the Hardest Council estates in Europe (LMFAO!) - Not one Soul Crew, or Cardiff fan was seen on route until we reached a Boozer called 'Beesons' (I might of got that wrong but it's the one after The Grange)where there were 20 odd ugly cunts making noises at the window. Great. Get to the ground and put in.

We go 2-0 down and the plan is to fuck off at half time. OB happy with this as we would manage to get the 9.30 back to London, and hopefully give us a better chance of having a bit of fun on route. Then Defoe scores, someone is ejected which we took offence to and it all kicks off, OB draw batons and lose the plot for a good 10 minutes (Apparently it was shown on Sky??) wading into us who were by the bar, then smasing those in the seats. So the original plan is out the window and we stay put, just as well 'cos we drew level, the eventually won the game . Held back for 20/30 mins then again given a big escort back to Station. Numbers going back were nearer the 400/450 mark as a lot had parked cars at the Stn, or in Newport. Passing that Beeson's boozer again it looked like Cardiff had it with OB there as there were bottles and broken glass all over the shop. Few SC in some side streets on way, but nothing major, eventually getting back to Stn. So basically, nothing. To be quite frank i've had more problem at Norwich City.

Not sure what else we could of done. Turning up with 250/300 at 1pm on a Tuesday for a shitty Carling Cup tie that Kicks off at 7.45, it would of at least been nice to of seen some SC. I'm sure the Cardiff contingent on here will tell us why they were no where to be seen. Although as i said, maybe in hindsight getting off at Newport would of been better.

We then had to wait at Cardiff stn for 1 1/2 hours for the train to London, which was then stopped at Reading where we had to get coaches, getting back into London at 4.30am. Cunts.

West Ham United - Millwall FC - 28/09/2003

Source: Football 365

Supporters from both clubs remained well-behaved until an incident just before half-time when Connolly was booked for an altercation at a free-kick. The Millwall fans behind the goal were incensed, and police moved in to calm their protests.

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Both sides were up for it but as for each high risks game, police forces were also on top. Prior to the game, Millwall firm had 600 lads in front of their pub.
After the game, approx. 150 ICF tried to reach their rivals, with any chance.

Extra police for Hammers clash - 27/09/2003

Source: Teamtalk

The Metropolitan Police will treble their numbers at Upton Park on Sunday as Millwall take on West Ham for the first time in 10 years.
Around 800 policemen will be charged with keeping the peace as Millwall and West Ham look to continue their good starts to the new season.
However, much of the media attention will be focused on the hooligan element and extra officers and video surveillance cameras will be posted at known trouble areas.
To help the situation, the FA has given the match a noon kick-off to avoid drunken incidents and Millwall have arranged a live screening of the game at the New Den to try to prevent too many fans from travelling.

RC Mechelen - KV Mechelen - 27/09/2003

Source: TV + belgian newspapers

For this high-risks 3rd division's derby, approx 10.000 people watch the game and about 250 policemen were on alert.
Lads from other teams were also present for this game: Dordrecht lads with locals, Roda JC and Anderlecht lads with Kavé firm...
At the end of the game, things became nasty when riots occured inside the stadium. Police forces used pepper sprays and troublemakers clashed on the streets.
Cavalry, gendarms, dogs and water-canon were needed to restore order on both sides who threw missiles on police forces.
A total of 43 troublemakers were arrested.
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Received mail:
Racing group: green army racing lads, some black side hools (hollos from eendarcht aalst) 150 acc casuals (antwerp youth casuals club) en x-side lads (old antwerp lads), 25 kick side hools ( hools from krc genk) 85 millwall lads and 35 dordrecht lads and fucking migrants

KV Mechelen group: the old s-side lads from mechelen, vak g-casuals mechelen, the originals mechelen, youngster casual service mechelen, 39 north side casuals from roda jc, 51 german lads from almania aachen, some fucking o-side lads from royal sporting anderlecht, a few green lions from the old lommel soccer club

its a pitty that those 2 groups didn't had a chance to fight each other, fucking cops survived it
Some corrections posted:
I do not know who have sent you that mail about racing-kvm but the fans and the numbers are completely wrong.

at the racing site you had:
racing casual crew, dordrecht(50), genk+ sittard (30), some lads from lierse, rsca, beerschot, antwerp and feyenoord

at the kvm side you had:
kvm casuals, roda(30), aachen (10), some lads from lommel, rsca, beerschot
cheers