Season 04/05 - October

Hooligans are given worldwide ban - 20/10/2004

Source : BBC news

Three football hooligans have been given a worldwide ban from matches after trouble during Middlesbrough's Uefa Cup game in the Czech Republic.

Gary D*******, Mark J****** and John H***, all from Teesside, accepted football banning orders imposed at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

They were identified on CCTV footage taken when Middlesbrough travelled to take on Banik Ostrava on 30 September.

Cleveland Police have welcomed the bans and warned others may follow.


The court heard how all three were involved in violence before the match, in which chairs were torn out and thrown before riot police intervened.

D*******, 33, of Thornaby Road, T******* and J******, 36, of Herne Close, Redcar, were given three year banning orders.

H***, 39, of Langridge Crescent, Middlesbrough, was given a two and a half year banning order.

'Serious scenes'

They are banned from attending regulated football matches at home or abroad for the duration of the orders.

Det Sgt Ian Fawcett, from Cleveland Police's football banning unit, said the trio were involved in "serious scenes of disorder".

He said: "We are delighted we have been successful in obtaining these three football banning orders.

"We are pleased that the court gave two of these men the maximum order available.

"This sends out a message that we won't tolerate this sort of hooligan behaviour.

"We have more video footage to examine and there may be banning orders sought."

Partizan Beograd - Red Star Beograd - 16/10/2004

Source: mail

Around the stadium were hudge number of special police trups, army police, police on horses, one helicopter Police was provoking all the time, but nobody wanted to mess around with them. Few minutes before the game, in front of the stadium become to the big crowed. Police thought that Delije wants to attacked them, so one of them shooted in the crowed, with gum bullets. One kid, not more than 13 years old was shooted in the head and he is now in hospital. Most of people heared that after the game, so the riots with police missed, for this time... Everybody was unfappy because they forbid banners, flags, coreo, lights, smokes But both, Delije and grobari, had small pyro-show... Smaller fights was before and after the game around the city, but nothing big. About 24 people were arrested, mostly 'cause they were lighting torches and smokes. Those lads were arrested after the game. During the game was very strong wind and rain, so the Delije pyro-show didn't look well...
_________________________________________________________

17.10.2004 Shinnik Yaroslavl' vs Spartak Moscow...Big troubles happened in the beginning of the first time between Spartak hooligans and locol Special police-OMON.Spartak lads didn't feel sorry for OMON and during the fight they used fire lights,plastic seats,fences,advertisment boards... Riots were all the first time and ended only after the whistle of the referee for the brake.Police forces didn't have pity feelings for Spartak fans too and used tear gas.In the first time the game was stopped for eight minutes because the troules...In the second half three fans of Spartak ran out the pitch,and after that they were arrested by police...Some lads were injured,and nobody? were arrested...

Fall in football hooligan arrests - 2003/04 season - 23/10/2004

Source : BBC news

Arrests at football matches have fallen by 10%, while the number of fans banned from games has risen.
Home Office figures show there were 3,982 football-related arrests during the 2003/4 season, compared with 4,413 the previous year.

Home Office Minister Caroline Flint said the statistics were "encouraging", but she warned against complacency.

Over 36 million supporters attended league, cup and international matches last season.

The vast majority of games are understood to have been trouble-free.
The statistics, covering England and Wales, reveal that banning orders are at an all-time high, with 2,596 people subject to the measures which prevent them from attending domestic and international football matches.


The figure represents an increase of 45% over the 1,794 people who were under banning orders in August 2003.

Portsmouth fans were the worst offenders, with 146 arrests at league matches over the season - mostly during some tense south coast derbies with rivals Southampton.

Second on the list were Leeds, with 109 of the club's fans being arrested at league fixtures, while 108 Manchester United fans were also picked up by police.

Ms Flint said that while the statistics were "very encouraging", they also reflected "a lingering, if small, domestic disorder problem".

"We will continue to ensure maximum use of the banning order legislation by providing ring-fenced funding to the police to proactively target known hooligans."

Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) spokesman David Swift said: "Rigorous controls and investigations by the police are having a positive effect."

The findings extend to international matches and, Euro 2004 in particular, as well as domestic ones.

The number of arrests of England supporters decreased from 261 to 70 during 2003/04.

There were no arrests or any evidence of anyone subject to a banning order attempting to travel to matches overseas.
Courts in England and Wales have the power to impose football banning orders on conviction for a football-related offence.

They can also impose an order if they are satisfied an individual has previously caused or contributed to violence or disorder at football matches.

Andy Nicholls, a former hooligan who is under a banning order, said: "I have to stay a radius of 10 miles from any Everton game. I have to sign on in police stations on a match day.

"I have to hand in my passport and sign on every time a British team is playing abroad. From personal experience, it's very, very effective."

Alan Bloore, deputy chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: "Whilst we were initially against banning orders, they appear to be working.

"We are, however, slightly concerned about situations where these orders are issued without sufficient evidence or a proper appeals procedure, which seems to happen in some cases."

LEAGUE MATCH ARRESTS 2003/4 :

Portsmouth - 146
Leeds United - 109
Manchester United - 108
Cardiff City - 107
Sunderland - 93
Hull City - 90
Plymouth Argyle - 78
Tottenham Hotspur - 77
Nottingham Forest - 73
Manchester City - 70
Aston Villa - 70

Men accused of football violence - 26/10/2004

Source : BBC news

Four men accused of being involved in football fights in Lancashire have appeared in court.

Stephen H*******, 39, of Nelson, Luke S****, 22, Jonathan K******, 19, and David T******, 21, all from Burnley, face charges of violent disorder.

Mr H*******, of Chapel Road, Mr S****, of Brunshaw Road, Mr K******, of Waddington Avenue, and Mr T******, of Cog Lane, were bailed to 20 December.

Blackpool magistrates said the case must be heard at Preston Crown Court.

The men are charged in connection with a fight between Burnley fans and Blackburn Rovers' supporters at Finn's bar in Blackpool on 22 May.

The charges also relate to an incident with Celtic supporters who were watching the Scottish Cup Final at The Railway Hotel in Preston.

English disease spreads to Sweden - 26/10/2004

Source : THE GUARDIAN

When a mother took her child to play in a sandpit near AIK's Rasunda stadium in Stockholm she was a little surprised to find a cache of molotov cocktails. But that chance discovery was merely the prelude to Sweden's worst ever night of football violence in which a local derby led to AIK receiving a record fine and a ban on fans at home matches for the remainder of the season.
The riot at the AIK-Hammarby match last week took Swedish football hooliganism to unprecedented depths. Previously any unrest had been confined to areas around grounds but, when the visitors scored in this game, spectators threw missiles from the north bank of the stadium and invaded the pitch, leading to the suspension of proceedings for 40 minutes. It was only after a loudspeaker appeal by the AIK captain that tempers cooled and the players could finish the match.

The Swedish football federation reacted with a record fine of 100,000 Swedish Kronor (£7,665) and ordered AIK to play their last two matches of the season behind closed doors. A spokesman described it as "hefty for Swedish football", with the fine almost double the previous record. "If this had happened earlier in the season it would have been much more than two games behind closed doors," he added.

But the 27 homemade bombs caused the most disquiet. Stockholm's hooligan element are under surveillance by what is known as "the supporter police" but even they were unaware of the existence of the bombs. The devices were hidden in four plastic bags before being discovered by the mother in the afternoon before kick-off. Police believe their chance discovery prevented a potentially murderous attack.

The police now believe a far-right AIK gang were intending to destroy their own club's coach when it left the ground. For at least two years they have been unhappy about the leadership of the club, which is now doomed to relegation.

AIK sponsors were quick to react to the incident, demanding that their logos be taken off the club shirts and replaced with the legend "Stop violence". AIK has eight sponsors but it was the main sponsor, the brewery giant Abro, that took the initiative.

"AIK has to get proactive in counteracting violence," said Abro's Henrik Dunge. "No contract has been cancelled but sponsors are demanding a plan of action from AIK."

One suggestion has been airport-style body checks at the turnstiles for what Dunge believes is a small clique of troublemakers. For the time being he claims his company is not threatening to withdraw funds, "unless the club shows no interest in solving the problem".

Despite a massive police presence before last week's derby there had been running battles all afternoon in the Sundbyberg area of Stockholm between 100 fans and, when the violence spread, police were forced to close the roads in the area for half an hour.

The authorities had thought that Swedish hooliganism was petering out, so they are perplexed by recent developments that have seen the creation of "baby firms" attracting teenagers whose sole purpose is to fight each other with football as the backdrop. Stockholm police estimate the total number of hooligans is around 500 and the federation claims the phenomenon is largely confined to the capital. A distinctive element which makes the groups difficult to break down, say police, is that the leaders are often well educated and leading otherwise stable lives.

This is not the first time that violence has hit the headlines in the city. Two years ago an IFK Gothenburg fan was kicked to death in Stockholm and in 2001 a Hammarby fan received serious injuries when he was attacked with an iron bar. Last month a major cinema chain withdrew the film The Football Factory after rival fans fought during a screening.

The problem is far from confined to AIK. "What happened to AIK can happen to any club," said Hammarby's security chief Peter Thunell. "We are not far behind them in that area."

Zenit Saint-Petersburg - CSKA Moscow - 24/10/2004

Source: post

CSKA supporters have started to come to Saint-Petersburg from saturday morning. At sunday morning 30-35 zenit hools (from JN) attacked near 15 CSKA lads (from one of the main firm) which went from railroad station. Zenit hools could not win having more numbers than CSKA's and went out from place of fight. Some time later not far from first place of fight another Zenit hools mob (30-35 from GF) attacked 15-20 CSKA youth mob, Zenit hools have won. In this day were some another fights with different results. Also CSKA hools have grouped big mob (near 100) and went to game of the second teams, Zenit hools knew meeting place of CSKA's, but did nothing.
In day of game CSKA lads occupied pub near Zenit stadium and drank there full time before the game. In a break between 1st and 2nd times near 30-35 Zenit hools attacked 15-20 CSKA hools (which could not buy a tickets) in cafe near the the stadium.

Zenit St. Petersburg - CSKA Moscow - 25/10/2004

Quote:
Zenit view: Finally began the decisive time at the Russian Premierleague. Played two teams which were on the first and second places and the victory of one of these teams made her actually a champion. In several authoritative newspapers wrote about this match as a match of the year. So passions were running high. However this match was important not only for common supporters but and for hooligans of both clubs. During last years neutrality of CSKA fans to Zenit fans changed on a cruel aggression and promises to arrive at Saint Petersburg with top band and beat everyone-about this were a lot of talks in the Internet. As a result all fans meetings dragged on two days but the real winner is not discovered because of some reasons.Sunday- game of second teams... Because of that CSKA fans came the day before the game they didn t gathered in communal mob and walked in little mobs, so Zenit lads decided to drive from the morning by the city and beat small mobs of the opponent. The first fight were on the where 24 representatives of JN fightet with 15 K.I.D.S. As a result- the draw. Soon near the station where on 40 CSKA fans jumped 50 Zenit lads(BF,K.) Only the competent dealings of police couldn t gave the victory to Zenit lads. In the metro 40 guys from Mobile Group runs up against 40 CSKA fans from Shady Horses and Co. At this time CSKA lads more powerfull. Little fights were in hole city before the game of second teams. On the game to the second half comes the common mob of CSKA fans-about 200 people, fired 10 fireworks and after crossing the pitch goes to the metro. At this match were no one firm of Zenit. What CSKA fans wanted-it is a secret. At the evening the common mob of Zenit lads-about 120-130 guys walked during 2-3 hours at the center of the city-but without any result. At the afternoon lads from SCF(30 people) called and arranged with Spartak firm in Saint-Petresbirg The Aliens(21 people) to fight. Full fair-play and fighting for about 4 minutes.As a result-the draw... Monday-the game of main teams. At the Sunday evening some CSKA lads went home to Moscow, but a lot of fans thought that the most interesting will be soon. Before three hours for the game I saw great account of police. It was thought that police were everywhere,it was very difficult for fans to fight. But they were. During the break between first and second halfs of the game near McDonalds 35 Zenit fans (BF,K) fightet with 40 CSKA lads. The victory were by Zenit fans. Near stadium were many little fights where victory were for Zenit lads.Tahts the end-all thought that there will be more,but+..About game-No COMMENTS...

Vasteras SK - GAIS Goteborg - ??/10/2004

Source: http://www.vlt.se

Lukoil Chelyabinsk - Zenit Chelyabinsk - 30/10/2004

Source: http://chelyabinsk.rfn.ru

In the first half of the match Zenit supporters began to throw flares to the FC Lukoil players. Police began to arrest Zenit fans and soon situation came to blows. Then 2 Zenit fans ran to the pitch center.



Video report of local TV channel: http://chelyabinsk.rfn.ru/v/11249.asf

Football hooligans face the red card - 27/10/2004

Source : Swissinfo

Switzerland’s police authorities want to set up a database of known football hooligans as part of measures to crack down on violence at stadiums.

The system, which still needs approval by parliament, should be in place for the Euro 2008 football championships, organised by Switzerland and Austria.

Other proposals announced by the Federal Police Office on Wednesday include preventive detention for potential troublemakers, and the introduction of travel and stadium bans.

Spokesman Guido Balmer said the Police Office also wanted to increase cooperation between the country’s 26 cantons and at an international level.

Justice Minister Christoph Blocher is due to present the plans to the cabinet in the next few months for approval.

The government will then present its draft to parliament which is due to launch discussions on the bill next year.

The measures should be in place by 2008 at the latest when Switzerland and neighbouring Austria jointly host the European football championships.

Club responsibility

The Swiss Football League has welcomed the proposals.

“At the moment it is not possible to restrict access to stadiums for potentially violent supporters, because there is no list of names and photographs of hooligans,” said Thomas Helbling, who is responsible for security and fans at the Swiss Football League.

Helbling added that Swiss football clubs had to do their bit to combat violence in stadiums. He said clubs had to take more responsibility for their fans, in line with recommendations by European football’s governing body, Uefa.

At the moment clubs are not held accountable for the behaviour of their fans at away grounds. The presidents of the top 28 Swiss clubs are due to discuss next month whether this should change.

Other measures, due to come into force next spring, include special training for security staff and stadium announcers.

Football violence

Violence has been on the increase at Swiss football grounds over the past few years.
Last weekend police intervened at a match in Bellinzona and arrested several violent Grasshoppers Zurich fans.

The trend contrasts with that seen in Britain, where football violence has declined.

The British authorities published figures earlier this week, showing a ten per cent drop in the number of arrests at football matches last season.

However, banning orders – a measure that prevents hooligans from attending domestic and international football matches – were at an all-time high in England and Wales.

QPR - Stoke City - 03/10/2004

Source : BBC NEWS

Arrests follow violence at match
Two men have been arrested after objects were thrown at police officers and stewards at a football match.

Up to 17,000 people saw Stoke City lose 1-0 to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Staffordshire Police say there was violence and public disorder from both sets of supporters.

Two QPR fans were arrested for public order offences and a Stoke-on-Trent man was apprehended in the city centre before the match got under way.

Police say they had to deal with a number of Stoke City hooligans as they escorted supporters back to the train station after the game.

They say they believe there is still a significant hooligan element at the team's games and have appealed to all true supporters to help beat the problem.

Man Utd top soccer arrest league - 23/10/2004

Source : BBC NEWS

Manchester United have recorded the highest number of arrests at all football matches last season, according to Home Office figures.

But the figures also reveal a slight dip on the previous year.

The figures show 170 United fans were arrested in all matches played last year, but their record in Premier League games was the third worst.

Elsewhere in the North West, Manchester City feature in the top 10 while Burnley are also high up the list.

Manchester City had 70 fans arrested at league games - a drop of 21 on the previous season - while Burnley had 51 fans arrested.

The figures show that 87 banning orders are currently in force against United supporters - 45 of which have been issued since 15 August 2003.

While 56 City fans are currently banned - 19 of those were issued in the past 14 months.

But fan groups have said it is not a return to the 1970s when United supporters had a notorious reputation.

"I think if you get 67,500 people turning up for 19 games a season and there are just over 100 arrests it is still extremely low," said Mark Longdon of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA).

"The smell of football has changed, instead of burgers and pies, it is Armani aftershave."

Manchester United was third for the number of fans arrested during Premier League games only, which was 108 in 2003-4, behind Portsmouth and Leeds.

Rise in football arrests in Hull - 23/10/2004

Source : BBC NEWS

Hull has one of the highest levels of arrests for football hooliganism in the country, figures reveal.

Statistics released on Saturday show that 90 arrests were made during Hull City's match days last season compared to just 10 in the 2002/03 campaign.
The figures are in stark contrast to the nationwide average for 2003/04 which has seen a 10% drop in arrests.
Last season's violence ahead of Hull's match against Lincoln City was behind the jump in figures, police said.

Continuing efforts

Home Office ministers have praised the fall in national figures, which has been attributed to an increased use of banning orders, which prevent potential troublemakers attending games.
There are currently 31 banning orders in place for Hull City, 26 for Scunthorpe United and 21 at Grimsby Town.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Leaver said: "There is a drive nationally to get more banning orders imposed and the figures for all three of the clubs local to Humberside Police reflect that."
Mr Leaver said the force had combined resources this season to become far more proactive in dealing with football-related violence.
"We will continue our efforts to ensure that the small minority of people intent on causing trouble at football matches are banned from the ground and the majority can attend the game and enjoy it without any trouble," he said.
"The figures for football-related arrests show a large increase for Hull City supporters and this can be attributed largely to the number of arrests made before the Lincoln City game at Lincoln when almost 70 people were detained."

Bradford City - Sheffield Wednesday - 23/10/2004

Source : BBC NEWS

15 arrested after football match

Fifteen arrests were made after Bradford City's football match at Valley Parade against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The accused, all males aged 17 to 27, were arrested in connection with public order offences after the game.

Offences included throwing a missile at an area close to the pitch and going onto the playing area during a football game.

The accused will appear at Bradford Magistrates' Court during the week.

Brighton and Hove Albion - Leeds United - 27/10/2004

Source : BBC NEWS

Six people have been arrested in dawn raids after a disturbance following a football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United.

he arrests for violent disorder came after chairs were thrown through the windows of a pub in Brighton city centre after Saturday's game.
Police executed warrants at seven addresses in Brighton and Hove and one in Eastbourne at 5.30am on Wednesday.
Six other men, four from Leeds, were arrested on Saturday after trouble.

Weapons seized

Sussex Police said considerable damage was caused to the Pump House pub in Market Street when chairs were thrown through the windows after the game, which Brighton won 1-0.
Police said the six arrests on Saturday were related to this incident and another earlier disturbance at Yates Wine Bar in West Street.
They said early inquiries indicated the offences were linked to the match.
In Wednesday morning's raids officers also seized clothing, mobile phones and a number of weapons, including an imitation gun.
The six men arrested on Saturday have all been bailed pending further inquiries - four are from the Leeds area and two from the Brighton and Hove area.
Police want to hear from anyone with information about the incidents.

FC Zürich - FC Basel - 31/10/2004

Source : Joggeli.ch

FC Basel - Hearts of Midlothian - 25/10/2004

Source : Joggeli.ch

A few Hearts fans invaded the pitch

Schalke 04 - FC Basel - 21/10/2004

Source : Mail

Sparta Praha - Slavia Praha - 16/10/2004

Source : Redwhitepower website

Slavia fans

Hooligans warned away from match - 02/10/04

source : BBC news

Police have warned hooligans to stay away from a football match between Mansfield Town and Lincoln City.

Saturday's game was classed as a category C match, which means there was a high risk of some disorder.
Last time the two sides met at Mansfield, 17 people were arrested and now the police say they will be operating a zero tolerance policy.
Letters were also been sent to known troublemakers from the area banning them from the match.
Police said they would use new powers to deal with any potential hot spots near the north Nottinghamshire ground.
They were ready to use a dispersal order, which covers the area surrounding the Field Mill ground, including Stockwell Gate and Sutton Road.

Burnley: Club is in the top 10 for bans on thugs - 23/10/2004

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

BURNLEY Football Club is in the top six when it comes to fans being banned from games.

Police issued 51 banning orders on Clarets hooligans last season, the sixth highest in the Coca Cola Championship.

Above them are Cardiff City with 160, Stoke City on 126, Millwall at 89, Sheffield United on 64 and Coventry City on 56.

The high-number is the result of a focused crackdown by police over the past 18 months, funded by the Home Office.

Local rivals Blackburn Rovers had 20 fans banned, putting them third from bottom in the Premiership rankings.

Police are now applying to the courts to ban 12 more people from Burnley and six from Blackburn. Inspector Judith Finney said: "We have taken a pro-active approach to tackling football-related criminality.

"Our message to anyone intent on causing trouble at matches or near grounds is that we will deal with them robustly. "

Nationally, the number of banning orders issued last season increased by 45 per cent, while the number of arrests fell by 10 per cent.

Insp Finney added: "Arrest levels remain low and the vast majority of matches remain trouble-free."

Home Office Minister Caroline Flint said: "These statistics paint a very encouraging picture. However, the statistics reflect a lingering, if small, disorder problem."

"We will continue to ensure maximum use of the banning order legislation by providing funding to target hooligans."

Police issue trio with footy bans - 29/10/2004

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

THREE Fylde troublemakers have been issued with Football Banning Orders as part of a record-breaking drive to end hooliganism in the sport by Lancashire police.

The three were among 93 people in Blackpool, Preston, Burnley and Blackburn who were made the subject of an order in a bid to keep football hooligans out of UK stadiums.

Lancashire Constabulary's Inspector Judith Finney has also confirmed that proceedings are active against a further 22 people for football-related incidents across the county.

Inspector Finney said: "We have taken a proactive approach to tackling football-related criminality in the county.

"Our message to anyone intent on causing trouble at matches or near grounds is that we will deal with them robustly.

"We want to ensure that genuine football fans are allowed to enjoy their sport in a trouble-free atmosphere without having to worry about violence and disorder."

Statistics show that the number of Football Banning Orders are already up by nearly 45 per cent from last year.

Coventry-Leicester: Police crackdown on city hooligans - 19/10/2004

Source: Coventry Telegraph

Police have vowed to get tough on football thugs who have caused trouble in Coventry two weeks running.

For the second time in seven days hooligans rained missiles on police officers in football-related violence in the city centre.

As reported yesterday, at about 6pm on Saturday more than 70 yobs squared up to about 40 police in riot gear and threw glasses and bottles at them. No officers were injured.

Police said it was linked to the earlier match between Coventry City and Leicester City at Highfield Road.

It came just a week after violence broke out in The Precinct, Broadgate, Burges and Hales Street.

The trouble, which happened at 2am on Sunday October 10 and led to 14 arrests, was linked by police to a match between England and Wales on Saturday afternoon. Police were punched and kicked and missiles were thrown, leaving five officers injured.

Today Sergeant Phil Radbourne, of Little Park Street police, who saw Saturday's violence first hand, said football-related violence would be stamped out and patrols would be stepped up.

"This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and patrols and resources will be directed as necessary to quell these type of problems."

Police are now trawling CCTV footage taken during the trouble in a bid to identify those responsible.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and bailed on Saturday pending further inquiries.

Sgt Radbourne added the trouble, which did not involve Leicester fans, was fuelled by excessive drinking.

And he urged anyone with any information about the incident, or knows anybody involved, to contact police at Little Park Street on 0845 113 5000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111

Vanuatu: Tafea FC - Sheperds United - 22/10/2004

Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Violence grips Port Vila soccer

The unruly behaviour and actions of some football fans outside the field of “the beautiful game” at the Port Vila Municipality stadium is tarnishing the image of the most popular game in the world.

In the game billed a must see match between the two Port Vila giants Tafea FC and Shepherds United last Saturday, the violence that was anticipated and feared by every responsible football leader spilled into the football pitch beneath the nose of football authorities and the Police.

A Tafea FC football fan ran into the field outside the touchline and kicked the face of a young Shepherds United player who was involved in a scuffle between another Tafea FC young player.
The violence erupted just three minutes before the final whistle. The brother of the young footballer’s father who was among football fans that man who was kicking his nephew to stop.

A gesture everyone in Vanuatu regard as a natural instinct in such circumstances.
But his intervention was interpreted in a different light by another group of men in the crowd.

They got drawn into a heated argument, which resulted in them trading fists. A moment later one of the four men that attacked the boy’s uncle was stomping the head of the Tongoa man who was now lying on grass with his right foot.

About 4,000 football fans and some important government dignitaries who came to watch the important Port League Championships game witnessed the shameful incident.

Luckily some good foresight by some football authorities to bring in the Police to provide security that day prevented the incident to escalate into more violence.
But can security of players and spectators be guaranteed in future is a question the Daily Sports has overheard being asked very often these days.

Football fans are used to hurl verbal abuses at players during Port Vila championship games, but during the much-publicised game last Saturday, Daily Sports has even heard death threats made to players.

In Port Vila, it would seem that the allegiance to a football club has transformed the mentality of some football fans to dislike other teams. But according to the world governing body of football, FIFA, football is a universal language that can help bridge divides and promote the core values necessary for lasting peace.

In the football pitch when players misbehave penalties exist to sanction transgressions and enable rapprochement between sporting adversaries.
What about outside the field?

Something must be done to caution spectators who use abusive words against footballers and officials and ban spectators that are threat to the safety of other ordinary football fans – that is the consensus of all the football fans, which were treated to a “beautiful game” last Saturday, thanks to Tafea FC and Shepherds United.

FC SION - SERVETTE - 23/10/2004

Source : Mail

Beskidy Andrychów - Górnik Brzeszcze - 30/10/2004

Source: www.ksg1922.republika.pl

Gornik fans