Season 04/05 - February

'Derby' safety pledge - 10/02/2005

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

A ROUND-up of hooligans since the last Blackburn Rovers and Burnley derby means the clubs' upcoming clash will be safer for genuine supporters, police believe.

A minority of Burnley fans damaged shops in the town after Blackburn's 2-0 victory in December 2000 when both clubs were competing in the old Division One.

But since then more than 80 Burnley fans and 20 Rovers supporters suspected of being hooligans have been banned from attending games.

In Burnley, police have used almost £250,000 of government cash to launch their crackdown.

And officers believe the exclusion of the thuggish minority will lead to the law-abiding majority enjoying the clubs' 5th Round FA Cup tie on Sunday, February 20.

Superintendent Neil Smith, officer in charge of the policing operation for the Turf Moor clash, said: "The large number of banning orders issued has had a significant impact on the behaviour of Burnley supporters and we think that is one of the big differences between this season and 2000/2001.

"We have moved on from what happened then.

"People act much more responsibly now when attending football matches and we expect people to come and enjoy themselves.

"There is clearly going to be rivalry but that needs to be in a manner that is acceptable.

"Any disorderly or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

"However the majority of supporters are decent, law-abiding people."

Insp Smith said that police had no specific intelligence on potential trouble at the moment, but that they were keeping a constant watch on internet messageboards.

He added that the 1.40pm kick-off time had been jointly decided by the clubs and the BBC, which is screening the game.

Blackburn Rovers supporters, he said, had snapped up all their 3,800 tickets and the game is expected to be a 22,000 sell-out.

He added: "Hopefully the game will be a good news story for the people of Blackburn, Burnley and the police.'Derby' safety pledge

A ROUND-up of hooligans since the last Blackburn Rovers and Burnley derby means the clubs' upcoming clash will be safer for genuine supporters, police believe.

A minority of Burnley fans damaged shops in the town after Blackburn's 2-0 victory in December 2000 when both clubs were competing in the old Division One.

But since then more than 80 Burnley fans and 20 Rovers supporters suspected of being hooligans have been banned from attending games.

In Burnley, police have used almost £250,000 of government cash to launch their crackdown.

And officers believe the exclusion of the thuggish minority will lead to the law-abiding majority enjoying the clubs' 5th Round FA Cup tie on Sunday, February 20.

Superintendent Neil Smith, officer in charge of the policing operation for the Turf Moor clash, said: "The large number of banning orders issued has had a significant impact on the behaviour of Burnley supporters and we think that is one of the big differences between this season and 2000/2001.

"We have moved on from what happened then.

"People act much more responsibly now when attending football matches and we expect people to come and enjoy themselves.

"There is clearly going to be rivalry but that needs to be in a manner that is acceptable.

"Any disorderly or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

"However the majority of supporters are decent, law-abiding people."

Insp Smith said that police had no specific intelligence on potential trouble at the moment, but that they were keeping a constant watch on internet messageboards.

He added that the 1.40pm kick-off time had been jointly decided by the clubs and the BBC, which is screening the game.

Blackburn Rovers supporters, he said, had snapped up all their 3,800 tickets and the game is expected to be a 22,000 sell-out.

He added: "Hopefully the game will be a good news story for the people of Blackburn, Burnley and the police."

A FIVE-month prison sentence for pitch invader Michael Lewis will make hooligans think twice before - 22/02/2005

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Jail threat will deter hooligans

Clarets fan Lewis threatened Rovers star Robbie Savage and assaulted two police officers during Sunday's drawn FA Cup derby against Burnley.

The 42-year-old, from Netherfield Road, Nelson, was also banned from every ground in the country for ten years yesterday after Burnley magistrates heard he was already serving a three-year banning order.

Lewis, who admitted breaching the ban, assaulting the officers, using threatening behaviour and encroaching on to the pitch, had already been in prison after breaking the order once before.

Burnley chief executive Dave Edmundson today welcomed the punishment.

He said: "I would say a stint in prison would be one of the best deterrents for potential repeats of what happened on Sunday. No one would like to see it repeated."

He added that a full review of the stewarding of the game had taken place with "lessons learned" and measures put in place by the club to stop it happening again.

Supt Neil Smith said: "I think it's an appropriate sentence and together with the ten-year ban will send out a clear message to other potential offenders."

David Hartley, prosecuting, said Lewis was seen to run on to the pitch and approach Robbie Savage "in an aggressive manner with arms raised." He "effectively assaulted" the police officers as they tried to arrest him, the court was told.

Mr Hartley said the offence could have encouraged other people watching to commit acts of violence themselves and had a big impact on the football club as they tried to host the match without incident.

Lewis, who is unemployed, was given a football banning order in December 2002 by Wolverhampton magistrates after being drunk at Burnley's game at Wolves.

He was sentenced to 28 days in prison by Greenwich Magistrates on March 1 last year for breaching the order by attending Burnley's game against Millwall. There are 24 offences on his criminal record including invading other football pitches and assault.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said Lewis went on the pitch in "mischief" knowing full well he was not allowed to and was ready to serve a custodial sentence.

He could not explain his actions other than to say it was a "moment of madness" fuelled by drink and the excitement of the occasion.

He said there was no violence towards any of the players and Lewis did not "swing punches" at the officers but used the flat of his hand to push them away and evade arrest.

Mr Bradshaw criticised the stewarding for enabling fans to get on the pitch, saying the club "needs to look very carefully when it renews the contract" of the stewarding company.

Hooligans will pay penalty - 25/02/2005

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

ON MONDAY morning, the topic of conversation should have been about who edged the bragging rights following the previous day's goalless East Lancashire derby.

But dominating the news was pitch invader Michael Lewis, who ran on to the Turf Moor pitch to confront Rovers star Robbie Savage as millions of Match of the Day viewers and the 21,000 plus in the stadium looked on in disbelief.

The 42-year-old from Nelson was eventually restrained by police officers - two of whom were assaulted as they tried to lead him off the pitch.

Two others were also charged and later convicted of pitch encroachment.

It led to stewarding of the Turf Moor clash being criticised, with Rovers boss Mark Hughes saying such things should not happen in this day and age.

Blackburn's handling of the replay is now under intense scrutiny - but how do you prevent hooligans who are hell-bent on getting on the pitch?

In Lewis' case he was already serving a three- year ban from every ground in the country.

Burnley FC's ground safety officer Alex Wood said his staff could not have done any more.

Mr Wood, who worked for Lancashire Police for 30 years, said 60 extra stewards were drafted in on top of the undisclosed number of regular stewards for the Blackburn game.

But he stressed: "If we had put 1,000 stewards on it would not make a difference if someone is hell-bent on getting on the pitch. They will just wait to pick their moment.

"The only way to stop them would be erecting fencing but we don't want to do that for a few mindless idiots.

"Anyone who makes it on to the pitch is committing an offence and the club will issue life bans to anyone convicted in court of this offence."

And he insisted that banning orders did work - despite Lewis flouting his.

"Yes people can disguise themselves with a cap or scarf, but the police do monitor CCTV footage and anyone identified as being banned or committing an offence will either be arrested and ejected during a game or retrospectively."

The man heading the policing operation for Tuesday's game, Supt Warren Turner, has a clear message for would-be troublemakers: "We know who you are and you will be dealt with."

The force has added to the number of officers usually on duty to bolster support units, dog handlers, and road police officers outside the ground.

And Mr Turner, operation manager for Lancashire Police's eastern division and match commander on the night, added: "We will be deploying football intelligence teams which include 'spotters' and information officers who have vast amounts of knowledge of `high risk' supporters who have caused us concern in the past.

"For example, if a group of Burnley fans took a train to the game, they would be met at the station and escorted to the ground by police officers, including members of the intelligence team and anyone spotted as `high risk' would not be allowed into the ground."

Police from both Blackburn and Burnley have hand-delivered clear reminders to banned fans that they should stay away.

Those caught trying to breach the order will be sent away at the turnstile and arrested if identified in the ground.

"We just want everyone to enjoy the match and safety is our primary concern," Mr Turner stressed.

Rovers have held scheduled meetings with Lancashire Constabulary and been in close consultation with Burnley, who have been allocated 7,000 tickets in the Darwen End.

Blackburn Rovers chief executive John Williams insists the club will follow what he termed "the safety blueprint" used successfully for many high-profile matches at Ewood Park.

Mr Williams stressed. "We appreciate that this game is a little different to other high-profile fixtures in so much that it is an evening kick-off and there has got to be a winner on the night. The co-operation of supporters is crucial, especially in matters like arriving early."

One guarantee is that Lewis will not engage in a repeat performance - Burnley magistrates jailed him for five months.

Steaua Bucharest - Valencia CF - 24/02/2005

Source : stilostil site

Costa Rica - Mexico - 09/02/2005

Source : ViewImages

Ireland: Brandywell - Linfield FC - 22/02/2005

Source: http://www.4ni.co.uk

Police hit out at 'reckless' attacks on fans' buses

Police have condemned as “reckless and irresponsible” those who attacked a number of Linfield supporters buses leaving the Brandywell football ground in Derry last night.

In what was the first game between Derry City and Linfield at the home side’s ground in over 30 years, six buses carrying Linfield fans were damaged when local youths through stones and other objects as the vehicles left the ground.

Ten people suffered shock and one person sustained a minor knee injury when eight windows were smashed as the buses emerged from the ground.

Jim Roddy, the outgoing chairman of Derry City FC, condemned the attacks.

"The Linfield fans came to the Brandywell and they behaved impeccably, they were a credit to their club, and everything was going so, so well until these people tried to spoil the whole thing for us," he said.

Chairman of the First Londonderry Linfield Supporters Club Trevor Roulston added: "There was actually young girls and children on the bus and they were screaming. We were supposed to be going there for a game of football, we weren't expecting this."

Chief Supt Richard Russell, Foyle District Commander said: “I am extremely disappointed that the mindless actions of a few spoiled what had been a mainly trouble free event. It is regrettable that the game will more than likely be remembered for the events which occurred after it”.

The match had earlier ended in a one-all draw after a late equaliser by Linfield's Mark Picking.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the attacks to contact Strand Road on 028 7136 7337.

Celtic - Rangers - 20/02/2005

Source : The Mirror

CAULDRON OF HATE SHAMES OLD FIRM

HATRED marred yesterday's Old Firm football match as Celtic fans pelted Rangers' Fernando Ricksen with missiles.

The Dutch star slumped on the touchline clutching his bloodstained forehead during the second half.

A crowd steward needed hospital treatment after his face was slashed.

And police arrested 30 supporters - 12 of them for religious bigotry.

The ugly scenes at the game - which Rangers won 2-0 - were a blow to the campaign to end bigotry in Scotland.

First Minister Jack McConnell had hoped last week's summit against sectarianism would impact on yesterday's match.

Ricksen was showered with coins and needed a stitch in his eyebrow after being hit by a cigarette lighter.

Mr McConnell said last night: "This sort of dangerous behaviour is unacceptable wherever it happens in Scotland."
The number of fans arrested for offences "aggravated by religious prejudice" is understood to be the highest ever.

Police had warned before the match that supporters would be arrested for sectarian or racist behaviour.

One arrest was for a racial crime and 17 more for minor public disorder offences.

Match commander Chief Supt Kevin Smith said police were studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify those responsible.

And Celtic face a possible investigation from the Scottish Football Association.

The incident rekindled memories of the Old Firm shame in 1999 when a coin left referee Hugh Dallas streaming with blood at Parkhead.

Rangers boss Alex McLeish said: "I don't want to make a big fuss of it. The crowd was generally well-behaved.

"Unfortunately sometimes these things happen."

And Celtic manager Martin O'Neill added: "Naturally you wouldn't want it to happen to anyone at all, and it would be more than disappointing if anything was thrown at any of the players.

"It shouldn't happen. I don't mind passion but keep it within the laws of the game."

But former Rangers star Terry Butcher accused Ricksen of goading Celtic fans - by applauding his own supporters.

Butcher said: "Ricksen really brought it on himself by applauding Rangers fans right in front of the Celtic fans.

"You really can't do that in an Old Firm game."