Season 04/05 - April

Stal Stalowa Wola - Motor Lublin - 03/04/05

Source: polish websites

Locals invaded the pitch with the aim to attack visitors.







Video --> http://lagoon.freebsd.lublin.pl/~hedi/stalowka-motor/MOV01861.MPG

Cracovia Krakow - Legia Warszawa - 10/04/05

Source: polish websites

Riots started inside the stadium and continued on streets, opposing locals to police forces.

Visitors


Locals

Turin police ready to tackle troublemakers - 12/04/05

Source: Reuters

Italian police are setting up special units to cope with any troublemakers at Wednesday's Champions League match between Juventus and Liverpool amid fears Italian fans may seek revenge for the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster.

The quarter-final, second leg game comes 20 years after 39 mostly Italian supporters died during crowd trouble before the 1985 European Cup final when Juventus met Liverpool.

"The situation requires careful attention," Angelo Agovino, a police chief in the province of Turin, told a news conference on Tuesday.

"All the security forces are being reinforced and other special units are being set up to prevent the opposing fans from meeting and starting trouble," he was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.

Sale of alcohol has been banned in Turin and neighbouring provinces for the game and the elite undercover police unit, Digos, is putting strict security and surveillance in place.

Last week's first-leg at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-1, saw the English supporters call for friendship between the two clubs and the city's local newspaper offered a full front page apology for the role of Liverpool fans in the disaster.

A minority of Juventus supporters turned their backs on a banner declaring 'Memory and Friendship' and there have been fears that hardcore fans, organised in gangs called 'ultras', may seek revenge in the return leg at the Delle Alpi stadium.

PRIVATE CEREMONY

In the spirit of reconciliation between the teams and their fans Juve held a private ceremony at the club's headquarters on Tuesday to honour the supporters who lost their lives before the May 29 final in Brussels, which the Italians won 1-0.

"We were brought here by our wish to remember and honour the Bianconeri friends who were victims of such tragedy and to express to their families solidarity and affection from all the Juventus world," said Juve president Franzo Grande Stevens.

The ceremony, held in front of a monument commissioned by Juve and inaugurated the year after the tragedy, was a chance for the club to meet the families of those who died after a wall collapsed following crowd trouble before the game.

Liverpool were represented by president David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry, while Juve chief executive Antonio Giraudo and vice president Roberto Bettega were in attendance.

At the end of the ceremony the current club captains, Alessandro Del Piero and Sami Hyypia, laid 39 white roses at the base of the monument designed by architect Dante Grassi, Juventus reported on their official website.

"Heysel is a wound that you can never remove but I believe that our fans will have the intelligence and the wisdom to accept the apology made by Liverpool," said Del Piero.

"Liverpool as a club and its fans have made their apology and shown their sadness, I hope that spirit will be stronger than rancour," he was quoted as saying by ANSA.

Liverpool's captain at the time of the Heysel disaster, Phil Neal, and his team mate Ian Rush were also at the ceremony.


VIDEO ---> http://www.ansa.it/main/notizie/videonews/30secondi/2005-04-12_4634229.html

Inter Milan - AC Milan - 12/04/05

Source: TV + rEUTERS


LIVE INFO.....POSTED AT 22.23pm


The game was stopped at 70th minute of playing just after the referee refused a local goal.
Local ultras threw many missiles at Dida, the Milan goalkeeper, who was finally hurted by a firecracker.

The game will restart at 22.40pm....
The game was definitively stopped.


===============================================

The Champions League quarter-final between Inter Milan and city rivals AC Milan has been halted in the 73rd minute after Milan keeper Dida was struck by a flare thrown down from the stands.

German referee Markus Merk took the players off the pitch on Tuesday after Inter fans began hurling plastic bottles and then over 30 flares on to the penalty area below them after a header from Esteban Cambiasso was disallowed.
Dida received medical treatment to his shoulder while Inter players urged their fans to stop the hurling of objects on to the pitch.

Milan were leading 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Andriy Shevchenko which had put them 3-0 up on aggregate after they won last week's first-leg 2-0.

VIDEO --> http://www.ansa.it/main/notizie/videonews/30secondi/2005-04-13_4635135.html

Del Piero appeals for calm ahead of Juve-Liverpool clash - 12/04/05

Source: AFP

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero has appealed for calm ahead of Wednesday's emotionally-charged Champions League quarter-final, second leg between Juventus and Liverpool.

Fears for the safety of the visiting 2,500 Liverpool fans have been heightened by threats of reprisals for the Heysel disaster 20 years ago and more than 1,000 police officers will be on duty at the match to prevent rival supporters from clashing.

On 29 May 1985, as Liverpool and Juventus were preparing to contest the European Cup final in Brussels, a wall collapsed killing 39 people as Juventus fans tried to escape a surging mass of Liverpool fans.

Before last week's first leg at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-1, a large section of the visiting Juve supporters rejected the hand of friendship offered to them by Liverpool, turning their backs in protest when a banner promoting peace between the two clubs was paraded in front of them.

In a bid to calm the situation, Del Piero has appealed to the Juve fans to behave at the Delle Alpi stadium.

"The Heysel tragedy is a painful memory that we cannot erase, but I believe our fans should have the intelligence and wisdom to accept Liverpool's apology," he said.

"Liverpool have said sorry and shown their regret and I hope that this sentiment is stronger than bitterness.

"What happened 20 years ago cannot and must not be forgotten. It's only right that we remember, but above all it should be a lesson for the future."

Milan derby ends in shame - 12/04/05

Source: AFP

The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final between AC Milan and city rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro was abandoned after Inter fans threw scores of flares on to the pitch, one of which struck AC Milan keeper Nelson Dida.

German referee Markus Merk stopped the game with 17 minutes left to play as Milan led 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

A spokesman for European football's governing body UEFA said the game would not be replayed and that Milan had qualified for the semi-finals where they will meet either PSV Eindhoven or Lyon.

Inter are likely to receive a hefty fine and a stadium ban for European matches as punishment.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said the disgraceful scenes not only brought shame on Inter, but the whole of Milan.

"This episode not only penalises Inter, but the whole city of Milan," he said.

"The reaction of the Inter fans was unexpected and surprising - I've witnessed hundreds of derbies and I've never seen anything like it."

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf appealed for the Italian government to take action on the hooligans.

"The government, the whole country, must understand that something must be done," said the Dutchman.

When asked about Dida's condition, Seedorf replied: "He has a burn."

The trouble was triggered when Merk disallowed a goal by Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

As firemen ran to the goalmouth to extinguish the flares, more missiles were hurled from the 'Curva Nord' where the hard-core Inter fans were congregated.

After a 20-minute suspension, European football's governing body UEFA took the decision to play the remainder of the match, but within seconds of the restart more flares were thrown and Merk blew the final whistle.

It was not the first time Italian fans have forced the abandonment of a match in the Champions League this season.

In September, a first phase match between Roma and Dynamo Kiev was stopped at half-time after Swedish referee Anders Frisk was injured by a missile thrown from the crowd.

The object hit Frisk as he was walking towards the tunnel and after receiving lengthy treatment on a bleeding forehead he decided to end the match for fear of further trouble.

Kiev, who were leading 1-0, were awarded the match, while Roma were given a three-match stadium ban and had to play their remaining group B games behind closed doors.

On the pitch, a superb left-footed strike on the half hour by European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko put Milan ahead on the half hour.

Milan Set To Advance After Trouble - 13/04/05

Source: Yaho

AC Milan director Umberto Gandini believes it is a foregone conclusion that his side will be awarded a place in the Champions League semi-finals after crowd trouble forced Tuesday night's city derby against Inter to be abandoned.

However, he admitted it was a bitter-sweet way to advance after German referee Markus Merk called a halt to proceedings with 19 minutes to go at the San Siro as flares rained down from the stand containing Inter's fans, one of which struck AC Milan goalkeeper Dida on the head.

AC Milan were leading 3-0 on aggregate, with Andriy Shevchenko scoring the only goal of the second leg after half an hour.

But when Esteban Cambiasso's header for Inter was disallowed by Merk, that appeared to trigger the hail of fireworks.

Whatever the outcome of a meeting of UEFA's Control and Disciplinary committee expected today, it appears certain Milan will progress to the last four as their fans seemed to be blameless for the outbreak of violence.

But Gandini told www.acmilan.com: "It was an ugly night for Italian football and for the city of Milan.

"It was very grave because the fans continued to throw flares with no real let-up.

"There is satisfaction for our qualification but also bitterness on the way it finished.

"The official line is that the game was suspended by the referee at 1-0, we await the decision of the UEFA Commission.

"The important thing is that we are in the semi-finals so it doesn't matter if we face PSV or Lyon."

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam was also only interested in looking ahead to the semi-finals.

He added: "Both PSV Eindhoven and Lyon are considered less strong than other teams, but if they have gone though to the quarter-finals, it means they are competitive."

Inter started the game 2-0 down from the first leg, and only some fine goalkeeping from Dida, and some woeful refereeing from Merk prevented Roberto Mancini's men from finding their way back into the tie.

Merk's opening blunder was to miss a clear headbutt from Shevchenko on Marco Materazzi after just three minutes. It may have been out of character from the Ukrainian, but his dismissal could have changed the outcome.

Shevchenko's next involvement was to put Milan ahead.

The European Player of the Year cut in from the right and fired a wonderful curling drive across Francesco Toldo and into the right-hand corner.

By the time Shevchenko had scored, Dida had already excelled himself with fine saves from Juan Sebastian Veron and Kily Gonzalez.

Inter had valid claims for a penalty seven minutes before the break when Cambiasso went down under a clumsy challenge from Alessandro Nesta but Merk waved the Inter protests away.

Inter's task became even more difficult when top scorer Adriano limped off in the second half but they continued to lay siege to the Milan goal.

Dida was keeping Inter at bay almost single-handedly and he had to fling himself full length to turn Andy van der Meyde's right-footed drive from the edge of the box past the post.

The incident which led to the crowd trouble came after 71 minutes as Cambiasso's header was ruled out for a foul by Julio Cruz on Dida.

Merk took the players off the pitch after Dida was spectacularly hit by one missile and an attempt to restart the match was soon aborted as more flares rained down on the pitch.

Veteran Milan defender Paolo Maldini believes Merk was right to call a halt to proceedings.

"We couldn't go on, we couldn't finish the game. We tried to clear the pitch but they threw many things again," Maldini told Sky Sports. "I believe the referee took the right decision."

It was Maldini's 50th appearance in a Milan derby and the former Italy international admitted such behaviour is not normal in the sophisticated northern city.

"It is the first time in 20 years of my career that this has happened," he added. "Nothing has ever happened before between supporters of the two teams, it was very bad."

Juventus Turin - Liverpool FC - 13/04/05

Source: Ansa

Six Juventus ultras were arrested by police after they assaulted a Liverpool fans during the night, in the city-centre.
The Liverpool fan was injured at his head and was hospitalized for one week.
Polcie forces stopped this agression.

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Source: Reuters

A Liverpool fan suffered minor head injuries in an attack by Juventus supporters in Turin overnight, ANSA news agency reported on Wednesday.

Six Juventus fans were questioned by police after the clash in a bar around midnight. Liverpool play Juventus in a Champions League quarter-final second leg at Turin's Delle Alpi stadium later on Wednesday.

Police intervened quickly to prevent the situation getting out of hand ahead of the first match between the two clubs since the 1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy in which 39 mainly Italian supporters died after a charge by Liverpool fans.

ANSA said police confiscated clubs and batons from the six Juventus fans who entered a bar where a group of Liverpool supporters were drinking. Liverpool won the first leg 2-1.

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Source: Sportinglife.com

Police have detained eight Juventus supporters following an attack on a Liverpool fan in Turin last night.
The assault happened around midnight, less than 24 hours before the start of Juventus' Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool at the Delle Alpi.

Security for the game is high as the match is between the teams involved in the Heysel Stadium disaster 20 years ago, when 39 spectators died following crowd trouble.

The Liverpool fan received treatment on the scene but did not go to hospital.

Turin police spokeswoman Cecilia Tartoni revealed: "Last night, a group of Juventus fans entered a pub in the city centre where a group of English supporters were.

"There was an argument, and a Liverpool fan was hit in the head with a bat by one of the Juventus fans.

"The Liverpool fan received medical attention in the pub. He did not have to go to hospital, and the prognosis is that he will recover in seven days. He will still go to the game tonight."

Tartoni said police acted swiftly after the attack.

"Twenty Juventus fans were stopped by the police," she said.

"We searched the vehicles, and their homes and we found baseball bats and other weapons. Eight of them have been detained by police for being in possession of arms."

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Source: AGI

After 7pm, a local mob tried to force police line who separated both sides of supporters.
Locals attacked police forces who threw teargas to restore order.
Some arrests were made.
These riots occured when some Liverpool fans entered the stadium.
In the same time, inside the ground, another local mob tried to force a gate. Other police intervention.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: TV

Scuffles erupted inside the stadium just at the beginning of the game and during half-time. Missiles were threw at eachother.











------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Reuters

A group of 50 Juventus fans clashed with police outside the Delle Alpi stadium on Wednesday, shortly before their team's Champions League game against Liverpool.

The fans were part of a larger group of around 150 supporters wielding batons who faced off against some 100 police officers, pelting them with various missiles including flares.

Two cars were in flames, one of them a police car, near the scene of the clash as riot police took more than half an hour to bring the situation largely under control.

Juventus fans, who dispersed into smaller groups after a series of police charges, wore scarves across their faces to avoid identification.

Two police helicopters buzzed overhead throughout the disturbances.

Fears had long been raised that hard-core Juventus fans would cause trouble at the game, seeking revenge for the 1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy. Thirty-nine fans, mainly Italians, died after a wall collapsed following a charge by Liverpool fans before the European Cup final in Brussels.

Liverpool supporters were bussed into the stadium more than an hour before the kickoff of the quarter-final, second leg tie. Liverpool won the first leg 2-1.

Inside the stadium, there was a relatively calm atmosphere before the game with the only hostility faced by Liverpool fans coming in the form of chants from the Juventus supporters.

The south end of the Delle Alpi, home to Juve's hardcore "ultra" support, unveiled a banner in tribute to the 39 victims of the Heysel tragedy which was warmly received by the rest of the stadium who responded with applause.

Police created 'no man's lands' either side of the Liverpool section, with around 50 security officials in place.

Police had tightened security and drafted in undercover agents to help keep the peace in Turin, while many Liverpool fans were being hosted in neighbouring towns rather than the city itself.

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Source: reuters

Liverpool and Juventus fans threw missiles at each other before kick-off in Wednesday's Champions League game after home fans had clashed with police.

Plastic bottles, a few seats and other objects were thrown by Juve fans at Liverpool supporters, some of whom responded by throwing the same missiles back into the Italian section.

A small group of around 20 Liverpool fans then moved towards fencing separating them from Juve supporters only to be pushed back by police.











Other pics, see 'Pics and Stories' section, english and italian scenes
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Juve and Liverpool fans clash

Source : reüters

Liverpool and Juventus fans threw missiles at each other before kick-off in Wednesday's Champions League game after home fans had clashed with police.

Plastic bottles, a few seats and other objects were thrown by Juve fans at Liverpool supporters, some of whom responded by throwing the same missiles back into the Italian section.

A small group of around 20 Liverpool fans then moved towards fencing separating them from Juve supporters only to be pushed back by police.

Fears had long been raised that hard-core Juventus fans would cause trouble at the game, seeking revenge for the 1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy. Thirty-nine fans, mainly Italians, died after a wall collapsed following a charge by Liverpool fans before the European Cup final in Brussels.

The incidents inside the Delle Alpi came after a group of 50 Juventus fans clashed with police outside the stadium, which is hosting a game against Liverpool for the first time since Heysel.

The fans were part of a larger group of around 150 supporters wielding batons who faced off against some 100 police officers, pelting them with various missiles including flares.

Two cars were in flames, one of them a police car, near the scene of the clash as riot police took more than half an hour to bring the situation largely under control.

Juventus fans, who dispersed into smaller groups after a series of police charges, wore scarves across their faces to avoid identification.

Two police helicopters buzzed overhead throughout the disturbances.

Liverpool supporters were bussed into the stadium more than an hour before the kickoff of the quarter-final, second leg tie. Liverpool won the first leg 2-1.

Inside the stadium, there was a relatively calm atmosphere before the game with the only hostility faced by Liverpool fans coming in the form of chants from the Juventus supporters.

The south end of the Delle Alpi, home to Juve's hardcore "ultra" support, unveiled a banner in tribute to the 39 victims of the Heysel tragedy which was warmly received by the rest of the stadium who responded with applause.

Police created 'no man's lands' either side of the Liverpool section, with around 50 security officials in place.

Police had tightened security and drafted in undercover agents to help keep the peace in Turin, while many Liverpool fans were being hosted in neighbouring towns rather than the city itself.

UEFA to rule on abandoned Milan match - 13/04/05

Source: Reuters

UEFA will decide on Friday what action to take over the abandoned Champions League quarter-final second leg between AC Milan and city rivals Inter Milan.

After winning the first-leg 2-0, AC Milan were leading the second leg 1-0 after 73 minutes on Tuesday when the game was stopped because flares were thrown on to the pitch of the San Siro stadium the two clubs share.

UEFA said on Wednesday its disciplinary body will meet at 1200 GMT on Friday.

The body will have to decide on the result of the game and will handle any ban, suspension or fine related to the crowd disorder.

UEFA could order the second leg to be replayed or just the last 17 minutes but precedent suggest AC Milan, whose fans were not involved in the trouble, will be awarded victory and Inter a very heavy fine or a suspension and a banning order.

German referee Markus Merk took the players off the pitch after AC Milan keeper Dida was struck by one of dozens of flares thrown down from the stands after a header from Inter's Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso was disallowed.

Dida received medical treatment to his shoulder while Inter players urged their fans to stop hurling objects on to the pitch.

The goal frame disappeared in clouds of smoke as flares continued to rain down and burn on the pitch.

The players came back on to the field after 25 minutes but Merk took them off again after just 30 seconds play and abandoned the game when more flares came down with no sign of intervention from the police.

The confirmed winners of the tie will play either Olympique Lyon or PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals.

No easy solution to Italy's ultra violence - 13/04/05

Source: Reuters


There was no sign of outrage from the 80,000 crowd as they trooped out of the San Siro stadium after the Champions League quarter-final between Inter Milan and AC Milan was abandoned on Tuesday.

Few fans booed or whistled as Inter's 'ultras' hurled scores of flares on to the pitch, injuring AC Milan's goalkeeper Dida and forcing the game to be stopped for 25 minutes and then abandoned after a brief restart.

Another night of shame for Italian football underlined that ordinary supporters have grown wearily accustomed to their stadiums being used as battlegrounds by hardcore fans.

No one was surprised that flares, officially banned from stadiums, were in abundance despite police assertions they had carried out searches at the entrances to the San Siro.

Nor was there any shock that the handful of stewards and police around the North End of the stadium, home to the Inter ultras, did nothing to stop the wave of missiles.

Those who regularly attend matches in Italy, from small town games in Serie D to top flight European games, know the ultras operate in a 'no-go zone' for police. It often feels as if these fans are effectively in control of the venues.

That impression was hardened by last season's Rome derby. The game was abandoned after ultras came on to the pitch and told players and officials of a false rumour of a fan's death.

They demanded the game be halted. Their demand was met.

CROWD SWASTIKAS

There are signs outside the San Siro saying it is an offence to bring flares and other potential missiles into the stadium.

As Lazio fans showed on Sunday, when they displayed illegal swastikas and fascist banners in their home end at a league match, ultras take no heed of rules and regulations.

Tuesday's incidents will be examined by UEFA's disciplinary body on Friday and Inter face a heavy fine and the prospect of playing home European matches in front of an empty stadium.

The trouble happened 24 hours before another Champions League second leg between Juventus and Liverpool in Turin. The two legs of the quarter-final are the first games between the sides since 39 mainly Italian fans were killed before the 1985 European Cup final at Brussels' Heysel Stadium.

While the 1980's problem of hooliganism has been suppressed in many parts of Europe, including England, Italy remains stricken by this social disease.

Tuesday's Milan derby was the second time this season a referee has been forced to bring a Champions League match in Italy to a premature end.

Roma's group stage match with Dynamo Kiev in September was abandoned after Swedish referee Anders Frisk was hit by an object thrown from the crowd.

Following a series of incidents at matches across Italy at the weekend, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu warned he would be prepared to close stadiums where trouble occurred, a threat that has been made before with no impact.

On Wednesday a letter from Pisanu was published in the daily Corriere della Sera in which he urged all involved in the game to tackle the problem.

Stadium violence had "many faces", he said.

"There are the fans who become violent because they have transformed the old spirit of local pride into violence and there are those who try to influence the decisions of their club with violence.

"There are those who are politicised and finally those who are not fans at all but who mix with supporters in order to practice violence as an instrument of political struggle, targetting police and caribinieri," Pisanu said.

"Against a phenomenon so complex there is not one response that alone will be effective. Everyone needs to do what is expected of them."

Inter fans arrested - 13/04/05

Source: Ansa + AFP

Police forces arrested 4 people who threw firecrackers during the euroderby Inter-Milan last evening.
One of these men is from Bergamo.
Other arrests will be made during following days.
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Italian police arrested four people in connection with the crowd trouble that saw the Champions League quarter-final between AC Milan and Inter Milan abandoned the previous night.

Milan police chief Paolo Scarpis said he expected more arrests to be made thanks to images garnered from close circuit television monitoring at the San Siro stadium, the ANSA news agency reported.
AC Milan keeper Nelson Dida suffered bruising and a "slight burn" from a flare that struck him during the match that was celled off after 73 minutes.

European football's governing body UEFA will meet Friday to decide what action to take against Inter Milan after flares rained down on the pitch.

The trouble was triggered when German referee Markus Merk disallowed a goal by Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

Andriy Shevchenko had put Milan 1-0 ahead, 3-0 on aggregate, after 30 minutes but UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Committee will now decide whether to hit Inter with a massive fine and ban them from playing in the San Siro for at least three matches.

Turin braces for "vendetta" match - 13/04/05

Source: Reuters

Hundreds of police and Juventus supporters massed in Turin's centre on Wednesday before a Champions League game against Liverpool which officials fear could provoke violence.

Only a handful of Liverpool fans -- few wearing the club's colours -- walked around in the afternoon sun, braving threats from some Juventus fans who promised a "vendetta" for the Heysel stadium disaster when 39 people, most of them Italian, died.

Liverpool supporters were staying in neighbouring towns and travelling straight to the Delle Alpi stadium for the two sides' first meeting in Italy since the 1985 European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool when a charge by Liverpool fans triggered tragedy at Brussels' Heysel stadium.

"Tonight will be a battle, in every sense. On and off the pitch," said Angelo, 20, a Juventus fan who travelled from the southern region of Basilicata for the game.

"I don't want any problems but I expect there will be trouble because so many people are looking for a fight."

A large proportion of the tickets reserved for Liverpool fans have gone unsold.

When the two sides met at Anfield for the first leg last week, the Liverpool fans tried to make peace with Juventus. But some Italians turned their backs during the commemorations and raised their middle fingers.

Since their club's 2-1 defeat Juve fans' internet message boards have carried increasingly threatening comments. On Tuesday night one Liverpool fan suffered minor head injuries after a clash with local supporters in Turin.

Turin's mayor has appealed for calm. Local newspaper La Stampa told Juve fans on Wednesday that "the only revenge is to eliminate Liverpool".

"I have felt the terrible consequences of violence. I know what it means. So this evening leave hatred and everything else behind," Andrea Lorentini, the 22-year-old son of a young doctor killed at Heysel, wrote in La Stampa.

"The only thing you should do is support your team with the same passion as always. It will be the best way to remember those who paid for their football beliefs with their lives."

ALCOHOL BAN

Italian media have said some 1,100 police and special forces officers will be deployed in the city centre and around the stadium for the match which kicks off at 7.45 p.m. British time.

"Nothing can wipe out a wound like Heysel," Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero said. "But Liverpool and its people made their apology during the first leg. It would be a wise and intelligent gesture to accept."

Local authorities have imposed a 24-hour alcohol ban in the city and advised Liverpool fans to keep a low profile and to stay in well-policed areas.

"We were given leaflets and told to stay clear of the train station," said Liverpool-born David Chesterton, wearing a red Liverpool shirt and carrying a scarf with both teams' names.

"It's not a question of being afraid but there's always a small minority you have to be wary of."

Tuesday's Champions League match in Milan between city rivals Inter and AC Milan was abandoned after fans threw flares on to the pitch, injuring AC Milan goalkeeper Dida.

Wednesday's match will be a key security test for Turin authorities who host the Winter Olympics next year and have faced criticism over the planning and the financial handling of the Games.

Tense night in Turin ends in relative calm - 14/04/05

Source: Reuters

A tense night ended in relative calm on Wednesday when a Champions League match between Juventus and Liverpool appeared to have passed without serious outbreaks of violence or injury.

However it was not trouble-free, although a huge police presence prevented a number of potentially dangerous situations spiralling out of control.

Fans of the two clubs threw missiles at each other before kick-off at the match at Juventus's Stade Delle Alpi and home fans also clashed with police.

The fact Liverpool knocked Juventus out of the competition following a 0-0 draw which gave the English side a 2-1 aggregate win was also reason for possible trouble -- which appeared not to have materialised.

But plastic bottles, a few seats and other objects were thrown by Juve fans at Liverpool supporters, some of whom responded by throwing the same missiles back into the Italian section.

A small group of around 20 Liverpool fans then moved towards fencing separating them from Juve supporters only to be pushed back by police.

Fears had long been raised that hard-core Juventus fans would cause trouble at the game, seeking revenge for the 1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy. Thirty-nine fans, mainly Italians, died after a wall collapsed following a charge by Liverpool fans before the European Cup final in Brussels.

The clubs had not met since that fateful night until they played the first leg of this quarter-final at Anfield which Liverpool won 2-1.

The incidents inside the Delle Alpi came after a group of 50 Juventus fans clashed with police outside the stadium. The fans were part of a larger group of around 150 supporters wielding batons who faced off against some 100 police officers, pelting them with various missiles including flares.

Two cars were in flames, one of them a police car, near the scene of the clash as riot police took more than half an hour to bring the situation largely under control.

COVERED FACES

Juventus fans, who dispersed into smaller groups after a series of police charges, wore scarves across their faces to avoid identification.

Two police helicopters buzzed overhead throughout the disturbances.

Liverpool supporters were bussed into the stadium more than an hour before the kickoff of the quarter-final, second leg tie. Liverpool won the first leg 2-1.

Inside the stadium, there was a relatively calm atmosphere before the game although missiles were exchanged in scenes eerily reminiscent of Heysel.

The south end of the stadium, home to Juve's hardcore "ultra" support, unveiled a banner in tribute to the 39 victims of the Heysel tragedy which was warmly received by the rest of the stadium who responded with applause.

Police created "no man's land" either side of the Liverpool section, with around 50 security officials in place.

After the game, Liverpool fans were kept behind until well after the Juventus supporters had left, before being bussed back to their hotels and Turin airport.

There was no initial sign of any incidents after the game.

Police had tightened security and drafted in undercover agents to help keep the peace in Turin, while many Liverpool fans were being hosted in neighbouring towns rather than the city itself.

Tension in Turin has been heightened following the behaviour of Inter Milan fans on Tuesday. They forced their Champions League match against rivals AC Milan to be abandoned after 73 minutes when they threw flares, fireworks and bottles on to the pitch at the San Siro stadium which they share with Milan.

UEFA's Disciplinary body will meet on Friday to decide Inter's fate, and they are also likely to take some action against Juventus for the trouble that did occur in the stadium on Wednesday.

Milton Keynes Dons - Colchester United - 12/04/05

Source : BBC news

Soccer fans on disorder charges
Eight men have been charged in connection with a disturbance after a football match between Milton Keynes Dons and Colchester United.

The brawl took place at Euston Railway Station, after the game at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes, Bucks, on 15 January.

Seven men, from Essex, and one man from south London, have been charged with violent disorder.

The men - aged between 19 and 41 - are due before magistrates on Friday.

Inter hit with six-match stadium ban - 15/04/05

Source : REÜTERS

Inter Milan were ordered by UEFA on Friday to play their next six European games behind closed doors after their Champions League quarter-final second leg against AC Milan was abandoned because of crowd trouble.

The last two games of the ban are suspended for three years dependent on good behaviour.

If there were further incidents during those three years UEFA "may order the original sanction (the full six-game ban) to be executed in addition to disciplinary sanctions for the second offence", it said in a statement.

AC Milan were awarded the tie 5-0 on aggregate and will play PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals. Inter were fined 300,000 Swiss francs (130,000 pounds).

AC Milan won the first leg of the quarter-final 2-0 and were leading Inter 1-0 when the game was stopped after 73 minutes when flares were thrown on to the San Siro pitch.

SFA To Probe More Coin Throwing - 15/04/05

Source : SPORTING LIFE

The Scottish Football Association and the police look set to investigate the latest coin-throwing incident at Tynecastle after referee John Rowbotham was hit on the head by a missile during this week's Edinburgh derby.

It is understood he was struck after Hibernian's winner but it is still unclear from which stand the object was thrown.

Coins were also hurled on to the pitch and CCTV footage is being examined to identify the culprits.

The SFA wrote to all top-flight clubs last month warning them about objects being thrown on the pitch. This followed a number of incidents over the past few months, including one at Tynecastle in Hearts' controversial match with Rangers.

After Hibs' win against their rivals Rowbotham told police he was hit and is set to include the incident in his report.

A Hearts spokesperson said: "The referee indicated he had been struck by an object."

Police are probing the incident. Match commander superintendent Terry Powell revealed three coins were found on the pitch close to the Wheatfield and Roseburn stands.

He said: "We have checked CCTV but it is very difficult to see where exactly the coins were thrown from.

"They were thrown when the players came back on to the pitch at the end. We will report the matter to the SFA."

Six people were arrested at the game.

Inter Milan seek damages from arrested fan - 15/04/05

Source : REÜTERS

Inter Milan are seeking damages from a fan arrested by Italian police after the abandonment of their Champions League quarter-final with AC Milan.

The Inter fan, who Italian police have identified as Michele P, faces charges relating to the throwing of flares and other missiles on to the pitch during Tuesday's second leg.

Inter could be handed a heavy fine and a ban from playing home games at their San Siro stadium when UEFA's disciplinary body meet later on Friday to discuss the incidents.

Public prosecutor Fabio Roia told the Italian news agency ANSA that Inter had made a formal written claim for damages.

"I consider this a very important signal. It means that the club is distancing itself from its fans," said Roia.

He said that he believed this was the first time an Italian club had positioned itself as the 'injured party' in a case involving crowd trouble.

Inter will suffer heavy financial losses if they are forced to play Champions League games behind closed doors.

ANSA also reported that Franco Caravita, who they called 'one of the leaders of the Inter home end', had been ordered to appear before the Milan public prosecutor's office as part of an investigation into Tuesday's events.

Inter, 2-0 down from the first leg, were trailing 1-0 when the second leg was abandoned after 73 minutes.

The derby was the second time this season that a Champions League game in Italy failed to finish due to crowd trouble, following similar events at AS Roma's game with Dynamo Kiev in September.

DRASTIC MEASURES

In response to calls by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for "drastic measures", Italian soccer officials announced a tough crackdown on missile-throwing.

Exercising special powers, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Franco Carraro said referees could suspend, or not even start, a match in which missiles were thrown, flares lit or any banners waved that could cause offence.

A game that was subsequently abandoned would be awarded as a 3-0 defeat for the team whose fans were deemed responsible for the trouble, Carraro said, invoking an existing federation rule.

But that plan was met with strong criticism from those in the game who think it would be unworkable and could backfire, encouraging fans to interrupt matches with missile-throwing.

"It gives a free hand to the delinquents, they are the ones who should be punished not the clubs who are the victims of these actions," said Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, who is also vice-president of the Italian football league.

"Carraro's decision was rushed and done to show that the federation is doing something."

Brescia president Gino Corioni said: "Every team has a group of crazy fans who know how to harm a club and that is actually their intention. Carraro's decision is madness."

A spokesman for Italy's police officer's trade union was also critical.

"It would increase the risk for the police. It is the clubs that should provide private security inside their stadiums during the week," he said.

Three-year ban for Inter ultra - 15/04/05

Source : AFP

An Inter Milan fan accused of taking part in violence which caused their Champions League clash with AC Milan to be abandoned, has been banned for three years from attending matches in Italy.

The 21-year-old plumber, identified only as Andrea T., will have to report to the police station on match days.

He also faces criminal charges relating to the incidents.

Inter fans threw dozens of flares onto the pitch Tuesday causing the match to be abandoned with 17 minutes left. Six-times champions Milan were leading 1-0 and 3-0 on aggregate when the match was called off. They progress to the semi-finals.

Inter plan to seek damages from fans charged with throwing flares and other missiles on to the pitch. It is the first time an Italian club has brought a civil action against their fans.

Juve fan sentenced after Liverpool violence - 15/04/05

Source : AFP

A Juventus supporter was handed an eight month prison sentence by a court for his part in the violence that preceded Wednesday's Champions League tie against Liverpool.

Andrea T********, a swimming pool lifeguard from Teramo, was found guilty of throwing missiles at the visiting fans at the Delle Alpi stadium before the quarter final second leg tie.

T******** denies the charge and plans to appeal.

"He says he was mistaken for somebody else in all the confusion and also because of the pink shirt which is worn by a lot of ultra tifosi (hardcore Juve fans)," said his lawyer.

"It's not normal to refuse someone who has no previous record a suspended sentence. I think the judge wanted to set an example," he added.

FC Aarau- FC Luzern - Cup Final - 15/04/2005

Source : Forum

Vojvodina Novi Sad - Zeta - 16/04/2005

Source : Forum

Game was stopped a few minutes after local fans invaded the pitch as Zeta scored its 2nd goal.

Bordeaux - FC Nantes - 16/04/2005

Source : AFP

Riots occured, in the Bordeaux city centre, opposing rival fans who also caused damages to pubs.
About 100 fans without scarves fought with another outnumbered group before the larger group chased the other.
Police forces made a few arrests before released all of them.
Some fans were slightly injured during this pre-arranged off

Leicester City - Wigan Athletic - 16/04/05

Source: english boards

About 20 local youth ran Wigan in back of their coach.

Feyenoord Rotterdam - Ajax Amsterdam - 17/04/05

Source: Nu

Two local fans were arrested near the Rotterdam trainstation.

On their way to Rotterdam, some of the 1600 Ajax rivals, arriving by trains caused many damages. One of these trains was stopped.
All fans inside were spotted by police forces and will be sending back, by coaches, to Amsterdam for being arrested.

Zenith St. Petersburg - CSKA Moscow -16/04/2005

before the match Zenit fans caused some troubles on the streets