Season 03/04 - October

Ajax Amsterdam - FC Bruges - 01/10/2003

Source: TV + Ajaxfotoside.nl

Prior to the game, about 70 FC Bruges lads were arrested as they clashed with Ajax lads in the Leidseplein. Cavalry charged supporters to restore order.
In front of the stadium, police forces used water canon against locals, who were angry about the Bruges and Den Haag's provocations.
Other arrests were made after the game.







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Source: Soccer Fans website

"On the evening before the match Ajax - Brugge we had a group of about 150 lads, we walked through the whole city center but no Brugge lads there.. To bad because it could have been great, there was not much police....
The day itself we first meeted at Nieuwmarkt with a group of about 200 lads, we were really up for it.
Then we heard there was a group of brugge at Leidseplein. So we re-grouped at Magna plaza and from there we were walking to Leidse, with about 120 lads, mostly youngsters.
From there we chose the best road to attack the brugge lads who were sitting in a pub at Leidse. From a little street wich leaded directly to the pub brugge was sitting we attacked them, at first they throwed chairs and tables at us so we had to stand ground and 'catch' there chairs and off course we picked'm up and throwed em back and we went forward, brugge had to back up a few meters, and then riot police came between the 2 groups..
Then they tried to block us of at 2 ends of the street but the emergancy exit of a cinema saved us
At the same time the other Ajax group attacked brugge from the other side and there brugge really had to back up...
brugge was in that pub with about 200 lads and they were pinched in by riot police after the fights in that pub.
Then we re-grouped at Rembrands-plein. From there on we were on our way to Leidse with a group of 350-400 (!!) .
brugge was still sitting in that pub on Leidse, pinched in by riot police do..
Before we got to Leidse there was a army of riot police to stop us of prociding to Leidse, so it was fighting against police... chaised after some police in some streets to Leidse but in the end there was just to much police to reach their pub.."
********************
"The night before the game +- 80 Ajax were searching the street for Brugge's boys. They weren't found but a clash with police occured in the city centre. Also an Ajax boy was stabbed in a fight, but his injuries were minor.
The day of the match Ajax had a big group present (300-400) and were ready for action. As the group approached Leidseplein (where Brugge were) the group fell apart while trying to reach Leidseplein. About 70 Ajax fought with Brugge's mob on the square while the rest of the Ajax group fought with police who tried to keep them off the square. The 70 Ajax (mainly youngsters) were trapped but managed to escape police. Later on police tried to trap them in Vondelpark, but Ajax boys escaped again.
Slowly but surely the group made it's way to the stadium. After the city's tram-system was delayed because of the riots at Leidseplein now the city's metro-system was delayed as police ordered the trains to stop in order to make arrests.
At the stadium there were many small scuffles between Ajax and Brugge. On both sides scarvers were involved.
When riotpolice tried to force Brugge fans into their section Brugge fans attacked police. From the other side the Ajax group threw missiles at Brugge fans and police and tried to reach the Brugge section. Police on horseback eventually managed to restore peace.
After the game their was also some trouble when Ajax fans waited for Brugge fans to come out of the stadium. A water cannon was used (as the pictures show) to disperse Ajax fans.
Without a doubt the return match will guarantee a 'hot' night."

FC Nantes - Rennes - 04/10/2003

Source: post

About 15 Rennes ultras (Breizh Stourmer) made the trip without any escort. These boys made their road to their normal Nantes fans' meeting point but no ones were there. So, some scuffles erupted with minor groups of Brigade Loire guys and a group of Angers fans. In the same time, the larger local group tried to attack the Rennes other groups' coaches.
French CRS used pepper sprays as Rennes fans broke a gate.
A visitor was arrested as he used a firecracker.
It also seems some Nantes fans were arrested.

UP Langreo - Real Oviedo - 05/10/2003

Source: Sport.es

At the 17th minute of playing, a local fans threw a bottle in direction of Oviedo ultras, called Symmachiarii. The last ones threw bricks and charged inside the stands. Normal fans were affraid and some of them entered the pitch with the aim to avoid this fight. The game was stopped for 5 minutes.
Finally, 5 people were transfered at hospital for slightly injuries, but one of them was wounded by a knive.

Napoli: arrests - 05/10/2003

Source: Tifonet

Sixteen Napoli ultras were arrested as they caused troubles during the Avellino-Napoli game, where the pitch was invaded, a fans died, 29 policemen were injured and 3 vehicles damaged.

Rosetana - Ravenna - 05/10/2003

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

During the game, riots occured and the pitch was invaded. The game was stopped for 5 minutes. During 2nd half, Ravenna ultras went out of their stand and tried to reach the local manager.

Salernitana - Fiorentina - 04/10/2003

Source: La Nazione

Three Fiorentina ultras were arrested at the end of the game, when police forces made an intervention in the visitor stand, where 300 Fiorentina ultras tried to reach a local terrace.

Vardar Skopje - AC Sparta Praha - ??/10/2003

Source: Tifonet

Only a few fans expected at Turkey clash - 24/10/2003

Source: Reuters

Only a handful of England fans are likely to travel to Istanbul for their side's highly-charged Euro 2004 qualifying decider against Turkey next weekend, according to the country's leading supporters' group. And those who do travel -- in defiance of the English Football Association (F.A.) -- are unlikely to get into the match at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) said on Thursday.
"It's very difficult to say how many people will travel because so few people will go public with their plans," FSF international co-ordinator Kevin Miles said. "We're aware of a few organised groups and people who booked their flights and hotels months ago, but you don't get a sense there's a great clamour of people saying this would be a great trip to make."
He said the FSF had talked to some of the 500-600 England fans who ignored the F.A.'s order not to travel to Macedonia for England's last match.
"I'd say about 1/2 to 3/4 of those we spoke to in Macedonia said they wouldn't go to Turkey," Miles said.
England fans have not been given the chance to buy tickets for the match, which will decide automatic qualification from Group Seven and has attracted considerable adverse publicity in both countries.
But some have vowed to go, despite the massive operation to keep them away.
England fans will be turned away from Istanbul airport if police suspect they are likely to go to the October 11 tie.
There will also be a checkpoint outside the stadium where fans will have to prove they are Turkish supporters with identity cards. If police still find English supporters inside the arena, they will be ejected.
THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL
Miles said authorities had pledged similar tough measures in the past but had often failed to carry them through.
This time, however, he believed they would.
"This time it might actually happen," he said. "However, for a section of England fans, all those dire warnings don't hold much sway."
The British Home Office says some 1,800 fans with a past record of violence have been handed banning orders to stop them going to Turkey.
"They will have to surrender their passports five days before the match," a Home Office spokeswoman said, adding that plain-clothed police "spotters" would travel to Istanbul to help their Turkish colleagues.
Relations between supporters of England and Turkey reached an all-time low in 2000 after two Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death during trouble before a UEFA Cup match against Galatasaray.
In April, England beat Turkey 2-0 in Sunderland but the game was marred by racist chanting by home fans and a pitch invasion which resulted in a record UEFA fine.
The FA wrote an open letter to supporters earlier this month warning the national team could face expulsion from Euro 2004 if trouble erupts at next weekend's match.

Turkish police gear up for England game - 07/10/2003

Source : REUTERS

Turkish riot police have staged crowd control exercises ahead of this weekend's highly charged Euro 2004 qualifier between Turkey and England in Istanbul when more than 5,000 officers will be deployed to prevent any trouble.
In a regular training session, 80 officers with riot shields and backed by armoured vehicles confronted a noisy crowd of demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails -- a simulation which authorities are confident will not become a reality on Saturday.
Tight security is planned to prevent England fans attending the match, and police have sent a list with names of around 1,000 known English hooligans to Turkish airports and other border gates to prevent their entry.
Amid all the security preparations, Istanbul police chief Celalettin Cerrah sought to reassure England that there will be no trouble at the game, which Turkey need to win to qualify automatically for next year's finals in Portugal.
"English people should not expect any incident, nothing will happen. We are very relaxed on this issue because we have an experienced team and we have taken all necessary measures," Cerrah told Reuters in an interview at police headquarters.
Recent clashes between rival supporters and provocative comments attributed to officials from the two countries have soured the atmosphere ahead of the match.
In a goodwill gesture, an English Football Association delegation handed out presents at a children's home in Istanbul on Tuesday and made a plea for fans to behave themselves.
"This game is for the Turkish supporters. It is their country, their home game. Don't let's spoil it by some silly events which have nothing to do with the game itself," former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy told Reuters.
In April, England beat Turkey 2-0 in Sunderland but the game was marred by racist chanting by home fans and a pitch invasion which resulted in a record UEFA fine.
The FA wrote an open letter to supporters last month warning England could be expelled from Euro 2004 if trouble erupted in the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, on the Asian shores of Istanbul.
MOBILE PHONES BANNED
Turkish police have held three meetings with their English counterparts to discuss security measures and are cooperating closely before the match.
Cerrah said the police would establish a triple security cordon around the stadium, where all spectators will have to prove their identity with Turkish ID cards and will be searched for any objects that could be used as projectiles.
"We are telling people that mobile phones, bottles or anything that can be thrown onto the pitch will be confiscated."
Alcohol sales near the stadium will be banned on match day.
English police officers were expected to arrive on Wednesday to assist in identifying potential hooligans at the border.
"The English police have given us a list of 1,000 people which we have sent to all air, sea and land entry points. We have been asked to turn them away," Cerrah said.
Relations between the two countries' supporters reached an all-time low in 2000 after two Leeds United fans were stabbed to death amid trouble before a UEFA Cup match against Galatasaray.
That clash occurred among the city centre bars and restaurants on the European side of the city, where police will mount special patrols at the weekend.
Tight security is planned for the match, with more than 5,000 officers deployed to prevent any trouble.

Foreign Office warn England fans off Euro 2004 qualifier - 07/10/2003

Source : AFP

Britain's Foreign Office warned England's football fans not to travel to Istanbul for their side's decisive Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey at the weekend.
"We strongly urge any England supporters who might be considering travelling to England's Euro 2004 qualifier (on Saturday) not to do so for safety reasons," Foreign Office junior minister Baroness Elizabeth Symons said in a statement.
Turkish authorities have set up measures to stop English fans attending the match and British nationals travelling to Turkey intending to watch the game will be refused permission to enter the country, the Foreign Office said.
No tickets have officially been sold to England fans, but the British police are worried that a hard core of hooligans are determined to travel to Turkey.
"We understand that every possible measure will be taken by the host authorities to prevent English fans from gaining access to the stadium," Symons said.
"Only on presentation of a valid Turkish ID card and match ticket will supporters be allowed to enter the ground," Symons said.
Tensions between the two countries on the football front have simmered since the stabbing to death of two English fans in Istanbul in 2000.
An English police team will be in Turkey to provide advice and assistance to the local authorities and to gather evidence of any misbehaviour, according to the Foreign Office.

Santiago Compostela - Deportivo Coruna - Cup - 08/10/2003

Source: Reuters

A 31-year-old fan of Spanish soccer club Deportivo Coruna died following violent incidents after their King's Cup match against third division side Santiago Compostela on Tuesday.
A spokesperson from the Santiago hospital where the man was taken following
the game said that medical workers were unable to resusciate Manuel Rios
Suarez and that he was dead on arrival at the hospital's casualty unit.
Local government officer Jose Manuel Perez told Spanish national radio that
Rios, a father or two, had been attacked by a member of Deportivo's radical
group of fans after he had tried to intervene to prevent an attack on a
young boy wearing a Compostela shirt outside the stadium.
Spanish media said that Rios, who had attended the match together with his
wife and a friend, collapsed moments after being kicked violently in the
side chest by the aggressor, who had apologised for the attack after
realising that Rios was a Deportivo fan.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident.
An autopsy was due to be carried out on the victim's body later on
Wednesday to determine the precise cause of death.
The game, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Deportivo, was marred by a
series of violent incidents in and around the stadium which resulted in
injuries to both police and spectators.
In a separate incident at another King's Cup match in Castellon, referee
Jesus Tellez Sanchez suspended the tie when he was hit on the head by a
mobile phone battery thrown from the crowd after he awarded a penalty in
favour of visiting side Valencia in the closing minutes of the game.
When questioned about the incidents Spain's Minister of the Interior Angel
Acebes expressed the need for renewed action to halt the increase in
football-related violence.
"We have to apply the full force of the law to reduce this type of violence
to the minimum," he said.
"Nowhere in the world has managed to end it completely, but we have to take
constant measures to reduce it as much as possible and isolate violent
conduct in football stadia."
The Spanish Football League (LFP) said that the rising tide of violence was
a social problem rather than one connected with the sport of football.
"Normally the people involved in these incidents are delinquents that go to
the matches, not fans," LFP spokesman Toni Fidalgo told Europapress.
"I would like to send my condolences to the families and we are worried by
these events, but we cannot heap the blame for all the violence in society
on football."

England arrive in Istanbul amid tight security - 09/10/2003

Source : AFP

The English football team arrived in Istanbul for a potentially explosive Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey amid heavy security. Dozens of policemen formed human chains around the players as they walked through the airport to their bus, to the pro-Turkey chants of a handful of Turkish supporters. Only a young Turkish girl managed to break through the police cordon in a bid to take a hug from David Beckham, but security forces promptly intervened before she was able to reach her idol. But in a gesture of goodwill, Beckham asked a police officer to get the teenager back and had a brief chat with her in the bus. Turkey has mobilized thousands of police for Saturday's match as both sides fear a repetition of violence that has often marred games between Turkish and English teams. The English Football Association opted not to take up any tickets for the match and has urged supporters to stay home, but British police have warned that a hard core of hooligans are determined to travel to Istanbul. Just hours before the English team landed at Ataturk airport, police stopped two Britons from entering the country and sent them back on a flight to London after determining that their names figured on a list of 1,000 troublemakers that English police had handed over to Turkish colleagues.

Two England fans sent back from Istanbul

Source : AFP

Turkish police stopped two English fans from entering Turkey and sent them back to Britain, it was reported. According to the Anatolia news agency, Paul Ryder and Keith Kirkham arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport from Manchester on a Turkish Airlines flight, but police stopped them after seeing that their names figured on a list of 1,000 troublemakers that English police had handed over to Turkish colleagues. The two were sent back on a Turkish Airlines flight to London, Anatolia said. Turkish police have set up intense security measures for the potentially explosive Euro 2004 qualifier between Turkey and England on Saturday, from which English fans have been banned on the request of British authorities. Fearing a repetition of the violence that has often marred games between Turkish and Enlish sides, the English Football Association elected not to take up any tickets for the match and has urged supporters to stay home, but British police have warned that a hard core of hooligans are determined to travel to Turkey. Spectators will be allowed into the Sukru Saracoglu stadium on Saturday only after producing Turkish ID cards.

Turkish police on alert before crucial soccer clash with England - 11/10/2003

Source : AFP

Police in Istanbul were on alert on the eve of a crucial Euro 2004 qualifying match from which England's notoriously violent fans have been told to stay away.
Around 30 England supporters have been picked up at Istanbul airport and were being questioned by Turkish police before being put on planes back home, Anatolia news agency reported. Their names figured on a black list of between 1,000 and 1,500 supplied by British police to their Turkish counterparts.
The blacklist has been sent to all air and seaports and any hooligans on it will be refused entry, Istanbul police chief Celalettin Cerrah has said.
The match is vital to both sides: a win for Turkey will automatically qualify them for the finals in Portugal next year, while a draw would be good enough for England.
But there is a history of bad blood between English and Turkish fans which risks making the encounter even more tense. The most serious incident came in April 2000, when two Leeds supporters were stabbed to death in a brawl before a UEFA Cup tie against Istanbul club Galatasaray.
Turkey, third in last year's World Cup, have never beaten England and have drawn only once in nine matches since 1984.
They lost 2-0 at Sunderland in April when England's victory was tarnished by pre-match violence, two pitch invasions and the racist taunting of the Turkish fans by the home supporters.
England were fined a record 70,000 pounds (111,000 dollars) by UEFA after that match and have been warned further misbehaviour from their fans will result in them being thrown out of the Euro 2004 finals.
Passengers arriving from Britain at Istanbul airport are being closely scrutinised. The Turkish authorities, who have mobilised 5,000 officers for the game, have drafted 50 men to monitor arrivals at the airport, where they are being assisted by five British policemen specialised in identifying hooligans.
Even so British police said Friday they feared a hard core of several hundred English hooligans had decided to make the trip to Turkey to watch the match.
Local Turkish television reports that several English fans are already in the country, among them Ian Collins, who arrived a month ago and says he will watch the game in a cafe.
"I've done everything to find a ticket to get into the stadium but with no luck," he told Turkish television, adding he would watch the encounter "with his Turkish friends."
The Cumhuriyet newspaper says police have asked city centre hotels to provide lists of British visitors claiming to be tourists, of whom there are thought to be about 1,000.
To avoid trouble the English Football Association (FA) has waived its share of match tickets and asked for English supporters to be banned from the stadium.
Three separate security cordons will be set up round the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, on the Asian side of the Bosporus, so police can check identities before supporters get near the venue.
The sale of alcohol will be banned around the stadium. Coins, mobile telephones, bottles, flag staffs, smoke bombs and firecrackers will be banned in the stands.

Fan's death suspect goes to police - 09/10/2003

Source: Reuters

A man police suspect of launching an attack that caused the death of a Spanish football fan earlier this week gave himself up voluntarily to authorities in the northwestern city of Santiago on Thursday.
'A man, accompanied by his lawyer, presented himself before the judge who is investigating the case in Santiago,' a police spokesperson said on Thursday.
'We are in the process of confirming that he is the suspect we are looking for. We believe it is him.'
Police had appealed earlier in the day for a man they were seeking to come forward.
Deportivo Coruna supporter Manuel Rios Suarez, 31, died after he was attacked by a member of the club's radical group, known as the Riazor Blues. He had been watching his side beat Galician rivals Santiago Compostela 1-0 in a King's Cup first round match on Tuesday.
The group said on Thursday they had decided to disband in response to criticism levelled at them since the death.
'The group has got out of control in recent years,' spokesman Arturo Revelle told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. 'Maybe we should have taken this measure some time ago because football should be an excuse to enjoy yourself with your mates.
'The group has now come to an end and anyone who wants to behave violently can no longer hide among us.'
Eye-witness accounts of the incident that led to the death said the victim had been set on by one of the Riazor Blues after he had tried to intervene to prevent an attack on a young boy wearing a Compostela shirt outside the stadium.
'One of the fans turned round, jumped into the air and kicked him with his two feet,' Rios's girlfriend was quoted as saying in Spanish daily El Mundo.
'When he was on the ground, the fan apologised because he saw that he was supporting the same team,' she added.
'Manuel began to feel unwell and had to sit down on some nearby grass. We got scared because he started to bleed from his nose and so we quickly called an ambulance.'
A spokesperson from the Santiago hospital where Rios was taken said he was dead on arrival.

Furious supporter headbutts linesman - 06/10/2003

Source: Reuters

A linesman was head-butted by a man who ran on to the pitch at the end of the match between Envigado and Atletico Junior, Colombian media said Monday.
The incident happened after Juan Carlos Bedoya disallowed a late goal by Envigado's Panamanian striker Blas Perez, whose equaliser earned the home team a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, Envigado players surrounded the referee to protest the decision at the end of the game.

England fans held at Istanbul airport - 11/10/2003

Source: Reuters

A total of 45 England fans have been refused entry to Turkey after defying British government and Football Association (FA) appeals not to try to attend Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul, officials say.
David Swift, head of the English policing team in Istanbul, told reporters on Saturday that 43 had already been found seats on flights back to Britain and that the two remaining would soon follow.
Swift said no incidents had so far been reported involving English people in Istanbul and predicted that no more than 200 England fans would try to get to the Group Seven decider at Fenerbahce's stadium.
The FA has not taken up its ticket allocation and has urged fans to stay away from the game, amid fears for crowd safety and a potential exclusion from the tournament by UEFA.
England need a draw to qualify for next year's tournament in Portugal and send Turkey to next month's playoffs.

Fans' behaviour costs clubs dear - 10/10/2003

Source: Reuters

Red Star Belgrade and Panathinaikos were hit with hefty fines resulting from their fans' behaviour at recent matches in Europe.

UEFA, European football's governing body, levelled a 77,600 euro fine on Red Star after their supporters chanted racist slogans, threw smoke bombs and invaded the pitch during their club's UEFA Cup tie at Danish side Odense on September 24.
Danish police arrested six Red Star fans after the game.
Panathinaikos must pay up 64,600 euros after their fans hurled missiles onto the pitch when the Greek champions hosted Scottish club Rangers in a Champions League group match on October 1.
One of the objects thrown hit a linesman.
Rangers themselves were fined 1,000 euros for incidents involving their players in the tunnel after the match which ended 1-1.

England fans 'treated as animals' - 11/10/2003

Source : BBC

England football fans deported from Turkey have complained about their treatment in Istanbul.

One of the first supporters to arrive back in the UK said fans were thrown out "like animals".
However others who defied the travel warnings said although they thought it was unfair, they had been treated well.
Fears about security prompted a warning from the Foreign Office not to travel for Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier, which kicks off at 1800 BST.
'Gutted'
But Builder Rick Farmary, 31, one of four fans from Nottingham who arrived back at Heathrow, said they only wanted to watch the match at a Turkish hotel.
He said the group had bought flights months ago, before the warnings, and had arranged to meet Turkish friends in Istanbul.
"I've spent a lot of money for this and I am gutted. We were warned but not told that we were not able to go."
He added: "We were treated like animals. We were told that we could get a flight back to Manchester but this morning they said it wasn't possible.
"Now I have to spend more money to get back to Nottingham."
Three other Britons said they had been kept in a room overnight with about 20 others, with no food or water for 16 hours.
One, Clive Adams, said he had been treated "like dirt".
But other returning fans at Heathrow had a different story.
Micky Fuller, a plasterer from Banstead, Surrey, who spent £250 on his return flight, said he had been treated well and had no complaints.
Some British consular officials had even bought supporters burgers and chips at the airport, he said.
He said he would have tried to buy tickets in Istanbul for the match and admitted it was "his own fault" for ignoring official warnings.
"We were told that there would be a 99.9% chance that we would be turned back but if they give us 0.1% then we were going to try.
"At the end of the day it is your own fault, you can't grumble about anything. We had plenty of warnings not to go."
Other routes home
But he said it was unfair that well behaved fans like him who were not subject to travel restrictions should be banned.
Other fans were returning via other European cities, Mr Fuller added.
Another supporter on the same flight back said his group had papers explaining that they were planning to meet a friend in Turkey.
He said British police allowed them to board a flight in Manchester and the Turkish authorities appeared to be happy on arrival.
But British police in Istanbul stopped them at the airport and sent them back.

No trouble at England-Turkey game - 12/10/2003

Source : REUTERS

Heightened security in downtown Istanbul and outside of the stadium where England and Turkey drew 0-0 in a highly charged Euro 2004 qualifier helped to prevent any clashes between rival fans.
A history of violence between English and Turkish soccer fans led authorities to take extraordinary security measures ahead of the match. Passport officials refused to allow known hooligans to enter Turkey, and England fans were barred from attending the match on Saturday.
Fearing crowd trouble could get England kicked out of the European tournament, the Football Association (FA) turned down its ticket allotment for the decisive match that sent England to the finals and Turkey to the playoffs.
At least three England fans were detained ahead of the match as they attempted to enter the Sukru Saracoglu stadium. Police thoroughly checked Turkish fans and confiscated lighters, umbrellas and anything else that could be thrown onto the pitch.
A handful of English fans joined Turkish supporters to watch the match on television at one English-style pub near Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul, where there were plenty of police but a subdued atmosphere following the result.
Two Leeds United fans were stabbed to death near Taksim in 2000 before a UEFA Cup match against Galatasaray.

Forces unite for hooligan hunt - 03/10/2003

Source : BBC NEWS

Police from across the Midlands are trying to find the football hooligans who caused trouble after a derby match.

West Mercia Police are working closely with colleagues in Staffordshire to identify fans responsible for violence at the recent Telford United and Burton Albion tie.
One Burton fan needed hospital treatment after being attacked by a group of Telford followers after the game at the New Bucks Head on 13 September.
The victim was kicked and punched to the ground and suffered facial injuries in the assault.
There had been no police presence at the game itself and Burton officials have criticised the Shropshire side for failing to provide adequate stewarding at the ground.
Police in Staffordshire have been taking statements from Burton fans to piece together events and identify the attackers.
A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said the investigation was now at a stage where officers expect to make a number of arrests in the very near future.
Telford United have said they will ban anyone found guilty of the alleged assault and are co-operating fully with the police investigation.

'Hooligan' ban lifted for manager - 07/10/2003

Source : BBC NEWS

A self-confessed football hooligan has been banned from every soccer ground in Wales and England - except when he is there as a manager.

Andy Nicholls, from Mold, north Wales, was barred for two years after admitting being regularly involved in match-day violence for 20 years in his book, Scally: Confessions of a Category C Football Hooligan.
Nicholls, aged 40, was summonsed to Liverpool magistrates' court on Monday under the Football Disorder Act over the publication of his book, and banned for two years, with £500 costs.
But he would be allowed into the grounds if the team he coaches - Holywell Town - have to play there.
In the autobiography, primarily based in the 1970s and 80s, he claimed he escaped with just one prison sentence despite 19 arrests for soccer-related violence.
In the book the former factory manager claimed he touted tickets to Italians before the Heysel disaster in 1985 and said he carried out violent attacks as recently as summer 2002.
He was formerly a season ticket holder at Goodison Park but Everton imposed a life ban on him last year after his book was printed.
The terms of the new ban from all grounds mean that he could turn up if Holywell won through to a competition which takes them there.
"I was concerned that the order should not prevent me carrying out my duties as manager at Holywell Town," said Mr Nicholls.
"If we were to win the Welsh Cup we could qualify for the Uefa Cup and that could take us to any stadium in Europe.
"Under this order I will be able to attend any ground in my role as a manager. That was the thing I was most concerned to establish," he added.
He claimed the case was brought against him this week to prevent him from travelling to Istanbul to see England play Turkey in the European Championship qualifier on Saturday.

Perugia - Dundee - 14/10/2003

Source : BBC NEWS

Fracas blamed on English thugs

English football hooligans have been blamed for starting a fight between Scottish and Italian fans ahead of Dundee's Uefa Cup match with Perugia.

Police, who have joined Dundee officials in Perugia, identified known soccer thugs linked to two Premiership clubs as ringleaders of the disturbance.
A Tayside Police officer told officials the row, in which bottles rained down on fans in the city's main square, involved hooligans linked to Chelsea and Charlton.
A Dundee official said: "We now know for certain that last night's trouble was sparked by English soccer hooligans. Dundee supporters were then caught up in the fight that ensued.
"We're travelling with a senior Tayside Police officer and his assistance proved invaluable.
"He has been able to help identify two of the ringleaders from last night as known hooligans with Chelsea and Charlton."
A number of travelling Dundee supporters were injured the incident on Tuesday evening.
The Scottish club are facing Perugia on Wednesday evening in the second leg of a first round Uefa Cup tie.
A group of more than 100 fans were drinking in the town's main square when a fight broke out.
It is understood that eight supporters were treated in hospital, with one man being kept in for observation although his injuries were not said to be serious.
More than 2,000 fans from Dundee have travelled to the Umbria region of the country for the game.

Hereford: Police appeal after football fight - 14/10/2003

Source : BBC NEWS

Staffordshire Police investigating an alleged brawl at a Burton Albion football match have issued pictures of three men they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

About 30 Hereford United supporters were allegedly involved in a fight with home fans on Burton's Eton Park pitch at a Nationwide Conference match on 19 September.
It took 10 minutes for stewards and substitutes from the Hereford bench to restore order.
Officers want to speak to three men who feature on video footage from the match.
Police appeal
Detective Sergeant Darren Harding, from Burton CID, said: "We are keen to talk to these men, who we believe are from the Hereford area, in relation to the events of that Friday.
"We would urge anyone who knows these men to contact us.
"People can ring anonymously if they wish and all information will be treated in the strictest confidence."
Nine men have been arrested and charged with violent disorder following the game.

NAC Breda - Newcastle United - 16/10/2003

Newcastle fans deny causing violence

Source : BBC NEWS

Newcastle United fans say they were not to blame for violent clashes which marred the team's Uefa Cup tie with Dutch side NAC Breda.

Eighty seven English fans were arrested by Dutch police before the game in Holland on Wednesday night.
Former Newcastle United player John Anderson, who was commentating on the game for BBC Radio Newcastle, said trouble flared when fans from Chelsea and Dutch rivals Feyenoord came together.
But Dutch police believe most fans arrested were Newcastle supporters.
Fans clashed in the town of Breda in an area packed with bars and discos before the game.
Fighting broke out and bottles and glasses were thrown, smashing windows.
A group of 77 fans were arrested at one time, and taken by bus to a police prison.
John Anderson said: "What we do know is that Newcastle and Breda fans were initially enjoying themselves in the town.
"There were fans from Chelsea and Feyenoord who appeared and then all hell broke loose. "This trouble was very much unexpected because we had gone out with some of the Breda fans the previous night and everybody was mixing, with no problems whatsoever.

Organised violence

"The Newcastle fans we have spoken to have told us that this had nothing to do with Newcastle and Breda, it was supporters from other football clubs."
Inspector Willem van Hoedenck, of the local police, said about 94 people were arrested, of whom 87 were English.
He said he believed the majority were from Newcastle, but could not confirm this.
But Mr van Hoedenck said: "I don't think the violence was organised in advance.
"We can't confirm that Chelsea and Feyenoord fans were involved, it is a rumour for the moment.
"The fans we arrested told us they were from Newcastle, but we can't tell if they are lying or not."
Mr van Hoedenck said some of those arrested were being taken by bus to Ostend, before being put on planes back to the UK.

Evenly divided

Northumbria Police said it was working closely with colleagues in Holland and Newcastle United.
The force said it could seek banning orders for those involved.
Inspector Rien van Kuik of the Dutch police added there were reports that 10 people were injured in the violence.
He said: "At first there were 30 Newcastle fans and 30 NAC fans and the police were between them and unable to stop them.
"They tried to stop them but still more fans came when they saw there was trouble. They wanted to see and wanted to fight."
Eventually around 150 officers were struggling to deal with the 400-500 fans involved in the brawl - about evenly divided between English and Dutch supporters.
Newcastle secured their place in the second round of the Uefa Cup by beating Breda 1-0.
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Trouble erupts in Holland

Source : TEAMtalk

Up to 80 Newcastle fans are understood to have been arrested in Holland after violent skirmishes - allegedly with gangs of Chelsea supporters.
Trouble broke out in Breda several hours before United kicked off their Uefa Cup first-round second-leg game against local club NAC.
More than 150 Dutch riot police were called in to quell the trouble, which is being blamed on heavy drinking.
And local police claim that most of the 87 Englishmen now known to have been arrested were Newcastle supporters.
Willhem van Hooijdonk, of Breda Police, said: "The trouble started around 4pm when a group of British football fans were in the bars in the middle of Breda.
"There were problems between two groups of supporters. We had to put on extra police to deal with them.
"At one point we had 150 police there and they arrested 87 English supporters.
"I can't say if they all came from Newcastle or were Newcastle supporters, but most of them are Newcastle fans."
However, there are now claims that the trouble resulted from a group of Chelsea fans travelling to Holland for a pre-arranged fight with Dutch hooligans.
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson, who was in Holland to commentate on the Breda game for BBC local radio, said: "What we do know is that Newcastle and Breda fans were initially enjoying themselves in the town.
"There were fans from Chelsea and Feyenoord who appeared and then all hell broke loose.
"This trouble was very much unexpected because we had gone out with some of the Breda fans the previous night and everybody was mixing, with no problems whatsoever.
"The atmosphere throughout seemed to be very good indeed and very friendly, with no sign of what was to come.
"We have been told that there is a relationship between the Feyenoord and Chelsea fans and they seem to get together.
"It is ridiculous because it spoils what overall has been a very good tie.
"The Newcastle fans we have spoken to have told us that this had nothing to do with Newcastle and Breda, it was supporters from other football clubs."
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Source: ITK - Gremlins lad

Just back from Holland and have to say it was absolute carnage. There was no Chelsea or Feyenoord from what I saw just Newcastle and Breda going at it hammer and tongs. Newcastle's main lads (around 100)came via Ostend and the rest from Amsterdam (70 ish). Lads were drinking in the main square in three bars with scarfers from breda and Newcastle on the other side of the square. There were no problems until 4pm when a mob of around 30 breda attacked a bar on the edge of the square. There were 20 of us in there and we were straight out and into them. breda backed off and we ran them down a side street where they turned and stood at a small bridge. They were joined by another ten or so breda who were tooled up (one with a big f**k off set of num-chuckers!) and again we went straight into them. we had it toe-to-toe for about 2 mins before their superior numbers started to tell and they started to back us off.
Unknown to me at the time, it had gone off in the square with the other NUFC lads and OB with bottles glasses flying everywhere. About 10 newcastle lifted in the square as windows put through etc.
As we were being backed off around 50 more of ours came round the corner from the square and into the Breda firm. Breda ran again and by now (7-8mins after it first went off) riot OB had arrived and were trying to protect Breda's (now outnumbered) firm. We charged straight through the police lines and into Breda again. Plain clothes snatch squads then started to nick some of ours. Newcastle (now about 90 strong) went down a side street to get away from OB but were blocked off by Vans/horses and despite a concerted effort couldn't get through. OB then rounded us up and lifted the whole lot. Taken to a large holding centre and locked up/processed for 8 hours untill OB laid on buses back to Ostend/Dam. All of us released without charge.
Have to say it was the best off we've had in years (in my opinion). Roll on the next round!
Regards
North Tyneside

FC Maribor - NK Olimpija - 18/10/2003

Source: post

Few fans arrested

A total of about 15 Olimpija fans (Green Dragons) were arrested before/at the biggest slovenian derby. There were some contacts with police, but nothing serious trouble. Home fans Viole were no way in sight.