Season 05/06 - March

British officers to join German police at World Cup-9/03/2006

Source:AP

Thousands of English soccer fans heading to the World Cup in Germany will have some company -- prosecutors able to build legal cases against hooligans.
British police will work in Germany with prosecutors who will gather evidence that can be used in English courts. British courts refused to impose travel bans on disruptive fans based solely on convictions in Portugal at the 2004 European Championship.
We will use evidence collected in Germany to make sure any English fans who cause trouble there will receive a football banning order when they return home," Nick Hawkins, the chief crown prosecutor for soccer issues, said Thursday. "This initiative solves the legal complications which prevented action being taken against trouble makers returning from previous tournaments abroad."
Nearly 80 British police officers will also be at the tournament. British Home Secretary Charles Clarke said negotiations with German authorities on security during the tournament began two years ago in a bid to ensure there is no repeat of the violence England fans caused at the 2000 European Championship in Belgium and the Netherlands.
"These are unprecedented measures that reflect the government's commitment to ensuring that this year's World Cup is a positive experience for the anticipated 10,000 traveling England fans and for the host nation," Clarke said.
Assistant chief constable Stephen Thomas, who is heading the police operation, said 29 British officers would help police on the German railways and 13 would be at German airports. Four will become temporary members of the German federal police.
"They will have powers," Thomas said. "They will be sworn in as auxiliary German police officers but their powers will be limited to the railway system and the airports."
In return, a small team of German officers will police British ports and airports as England fans head to the tournament.
Clarke said the reputation of England fans -- once considered the worst in the world -- had improved since 2000, largely due to court orders that ban hooligans from traveling. More than 3,200 people will be banned from traveling to Germany.
At Euro 2004, there were 52 arrests of England fans for violence in the Algarve region, and 945 people were arrested for soccer violence at Euro 2000.

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Cardiff City - 11/03/2006

Source: TEAMtalk + BBC

Fans hit out at pub ban

Cardiff fans banned from pubs in the Wolverhampton area claim the city's police force is living in the past.

Travelling Bluebirds supporters have been ordered not to go to any pubs in Wolverhampton before Saturday's crucial Championship clash by West Midlands Police.

"It's a throwback to years ago when you used to get that all the time," said Cardiff supporters' club spokesman Vince Alm.

"We've grown up and so have most police forces - but not West Midlands is appears."

There was a disturbance after Cardiff's last game at Wolverhampton, which involved stone throwing but Bluebirds supporters insist they were ambushed by Wolverhampton fans after the game.

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Cardiff fans clashed with police during the interval, delaying the second half by nearly 15 minutes.
Other troubles erupted at the end of the game.

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Dave Jones endured a disappointing return to Molineux as his Cardiff side were put to the sword by Wolves in a battle of play-off rivals which was marred by serious crowd trouble at half-time.

Visiting fans clashed with police during the interval and as a result the second half was delayed by nearly 15 minutes.

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Fans arrested after match clashes

Police arrested 17 football fans after trouble at Wolverhampton Wanderers' match with Cardiff City on Saturday.


Seven people were arrested inside the ground, while more 10 were held outside. West Midlands Police said those arrested were held overnight.

The second half of the Championship match was delayed by 15 minutes due to clashes involving Cardiff fans and police in riot gear at half time.

Police said some trouble continued after the game, which Wolves won 2-0.

More than 300 police officers were on duty at the Molineux stadium, in Wolverhampton, to prevent a repeat of problems at last season's fixture, which saw 30 arrests.

On Saturday, seven people were arrested inside the ground on suspicion of assault, disorder and being drunk whilst entering the ground.

After the final whistle, police said a minority of fans continued the trouble outside and 10 were arrested on suspicion of assault and violent disorder.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said the majority of those arrested were in custody at the Wolverhampton's Bilston Street police station.

Video :

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Source: BBC

Police hurt after match clashes

Police arrested 17 football fans after trouble at Wolverhampton Wanderers' match with Cardiff City on Saturday.

Several police officers were injured, one with a suspected fractured jaw. Police have appealed for witnesses.

The second half of the Championship match was delayed by 15 minutes after clashes involving Cardiff fans and police in riot gear at half time.

A Cardiff City Supporters' Club spokesman was critical of how the police handled the half time incident.

More than 300 police officers were on duty at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton to prevent a repeat of problems at last season's fixture, which saw 30 arrests.

On Saturday, seven people were arrested inside the ground on suspicion of assault, disorder and being drunk whilst entering the ground.

West Midlands Police said some trouble continued after the game, which Wolves won 2-0, and 10 people were arrested on suspicion of assault and violent disorder.

'Crying'

Cardiff City Supporters' Club spokesman Vince Alm said he believed the problems at half time could have been avoided by the police.

He claimed that the situation escalated after riot police were sent in "too early".

Mr Alm said: "I got split from my daughter. I was trying to get to her. I didn't see here for 15 minutes, which was quite worrying. She's 14. It was a bit of a nightmare."

He said he believed the problems started when a few away fans were mistakenly sold alcohol at the start of half time, contrary to the expected routine.

'Witness statements'

Police quickly ordered the shutters to be pulled down at the bar, said Mr Alm. Some fans then banged on the counter, until police stepped in and quelled the disturbance.

He said: "There was obviously a mistake by the bar staff. A small group of Cardiff fans were banging on the counters. It had all just calmed down when in come the riot police."

Mr Alm claimed that fans were pushed and shoved as police moved through a confined area.

"There were minority of Cardiff fans who were having a go back, which probably didn't help," he said.

"When you start seeing kids crying and women crying, the way they went about it, I could not believe it. There was no need to send any riot police in there at all. It was all calm."

He said the supporters' club was collecting witnesses statements and planned to lodge a complaint with the West Midlands force.

As well as one police officer with a suspected broken jaw, another has a suspected fractured nose.

Inspector Chris McDermitt, based in Wolverhampton, said "The second half of the match was delayed due to the significant risk of serious harm and injury to employees of the club and officers in the location.

"Officers took prompt action of at the ground to reduce the risk of further disorder and the risk of injury to officers and staff".

He said a police investigation had been launched and police were currently viewing CCTV taken during and following the game

A West Midlands Police spokesman said the majority of those arrested remained in custody in Wolverhampton at the city's Bilston Street police station.

The force is appealing for witnesses for what happened outside the game in the Camp Street area and coach park.

http://www.zippyvideos.com/9409305694235686/mov00002/

http://www.zippyvideos.com/7674912244237536/pictures_101/

Levski Sofia - Lokomotiv Plovdiv - 04/03/2006

Source : LAUTA HOOLS website





Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p-oTuTrYLs

Marseille - Zenit St-Petersbourg - 09/03/2006

Source : Curva-Massilia website








Thanks to RED BLUE

CSKA win over Spartak in Moscow derby marred by violence-11/03/2006

Source:Reuters

Russian champions CSKA beat last year's runners-up Spartak 3-2 in a Moscow derby on Saturday to win the Supercup, the annual curtain-raiser to the season.
The army side, who also won the UEFA and Russian Cups last year, twice came from behind to beat their arch-rivals, CSKA's Brazilian newcomer Jo scoring the winner eight minutes from time.
But their victory was overshadowed by clashes between rival fans, considered the most violent in Russian soccer, in two separate incidents, involving hundreds of supporters.
The first spot of trouble occurred three hours before the match in the north-east of the city.
Three people were admitted to hospital with serious injuries while some 30 others suffered cuts and bruises, Russian news agency Interfax reported.
The second clash, involving some 300 fans from both sides, took place to the west of the city centre less than an hour before kickoff.
No arrests were reported.
At the stadium, police also detained 90, mostly drunk, fans, RIA news agency said.

FC Nantes - Lille OSC - 12/03/2006

Source: post

Riots occured 2 hours before the game. Both sides (40 on each side) agreed an off by phonecalls. A fight took place without any weapons.
Lille advantage.

The Netherlands - Ecuador - 02/03/2006

Source: Het Parool website

For this game, Amsterdam police forces arrested 51 Ajax fans who were in a pub at the Rembrandtsplein.

Rapid Bucarest - FC Vaslui - 12/03/2006

Source:forum

Little flag of Radical Vaslui captured by the Rapid ultras this weekend.

Cattolica - Riccione - 12/03/2006

Source: Ansa

Two people were arrested and 2 policemen injured during this Serie D derby.
Both fans, from Riccione, were arrested after they assaulted military men.
Toe-to-toe also erupted, opposing police forces to supporters.
Some locals also attacked Riccione coach.

Ascoli - AS Roma - 12/03/2006

Source: Ansa

At the end of the game, Roma fans threw missiles at police forces who were on the pitch and outside the stadium.
Troubles also opposed police forces to supporters.

Cracovia Krakow - Wisla Krakow - 12/03/2006

Source: Wisla + Cracovia websites

Litex Lovech - CSKA Sofia - 12/03/2006

Source : sportni.bg website

FC Luzern - FC Sion - 12/03/2006

Source : sionsupporters.ch

Scotland - 22 football casual arrests after clash - 13/03/2006

Source : THE HERALD

TROUBLE flared in the streets of Highland towns at the weekend as gangs of football casuals from Aberdeen, Perth, Dundee and Edinburgh engaged in apparently pre-orchestrated clashes.
A total of 22 men were arrested after violence erupted before the Scottish Premierleague match between Inverness and Hearts in the Highland capital and before the Scottish First Division match between Ross County and St Johnstone in Dingwall.
A specialist police operation was set up by Northern Constabulary and Lothian and Borders Police who are believed to have been tipped off about the gathering.
The arrests are the latest in a series of incidents involving football hooligans in Scotland, and they follow an investigation by The Herald in January which revealed there is a new generation of football casuals emerging.
Northern Constabulary confirmed the arrests on Saturday after incidents involving casuals.
A spokesman said: "Following an incident in Inverness city centre on Saturday, 22 male persons identified as soccer casuals were apprehended. They were all arrested outwith football grounds. All have been released from custody. A report on the incident is being prepared and will be forwarded to the procurator-fiscal at Inverness."
Alasdair Fraser, a sports writer for The Herald covering the game in Dingwall, said: "There were nine arrests at the game as well as more arrests in local hotels, apparently. There was a group of casuals from Perth and also from Aberdeen."
At the Scottish First Division fixture in Dingwall, Ross County beat St Johnstone 2-1 in a game attended by 2220 while Inverness drew 0-0 at home to Hearts in a Scottish Premierleague match.
In January, The Herald revealed that a breed of football hooligans is emerging in Scotland led by the sons of casuals already known to police.

Wolves to ban Cardiff - 14/03/2006

Source : Express & Star News

Cardiff fans are set to be banned from Wolves home games after violent clashes with police at Molineux on Saturday.

Two police officers were taken to hospital and 17 people were arrested after trouble broke out when visiting supporters vented their fury at not being able to buy alcohol at half-time.

Violence also flared outside the ground after the match. But Cardiff City hit out at the police tactics and accused officers of "indiscriminately" targeting fans - allegations rejected by police.

They had ordered the visitors' bars to stop serving alcohol at 3pm. But a group of Cardiff fans began chanting "We want beer" and pulling at the bar's shutters.

Police stepped in and one officer was knocked unconscious when a bin was hurled at him. Another was punched in the face and fighting spilled into the Steve Bull stand, prompting police to delay the start of the second half by 15 minutes.

After the game, trouble broke out in the Camp Street area and near to the Novotel

Tensions almost boiled over on the Stafford Road as home hooligans taunted Cardiff fans. One officer had a suspected fractured jaw and a second a suspected broken nose.

Supt Keith Baldwin, who led the operation, said: "I will be making representations to the club and the FA against the Cardiff fans travelling to Molineux again because of the devastation they caused."

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey today said: "Wolverhampton Wanders deplore the actions of a significant minority of Cardiff city supporters which led to the unpleaseant and unacceptable scenes.

"We have sympathy for law abiding Cardiff city supporters caught up in the disturbance but we fully support the club's desire to see those involved in the disorder identified and brought to justice for their actions. We will help whereever we can."

Seven people were arrested inside the ground, while 10 were held in Camp Street and coach park areas. Two Cardiff fans have been charged with public order offences and a third with being drunk. Fourteen people have been released on bail.

Middlesbrough fans clash with Italians in Rome-15/03/2006

Source : Reüters + Guardian Unlimited + Mirror

Middlesbrough fans clashed with Italians in central Rome before baton-wielding police restored order late on Tuesday, witnesses said.
Middlesbrough are due to play AS Roma in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday and hundreds of English supporters have poured into the Italian capital to watch the game.
Around 100 Middlesbrough and Roma fans hurled bottles at each other in the central Campo de Fiori square, causing tourists and locals to flee for cover.
Police in full-riot gear soon flooded the area and laid into the fans with their batons. A number of English supporters were hurt in the clashes, but Italy's ANSA newsagency said there were no reports of serious injuries.

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Middlesbrough fans stabbed in Rome

Police say fans were attacked by an 'organised gang'

British police chiefs have appealed to Middlesbrough supporters not to seek revenge after three fans were stabbed during violent clashes with Roma's infamous 'Ultras' gang last night.
A 39-year-old man has undergone surgery and was still detained in hospital today with stab wounds to his back, although his injuries are not life-threatening, while an 18-year-old and a 31-year-old have been released after treatment. Ten other supporters were also treated for minor injuries after they were attacked by a group of hard-core Roma thugs - at least one of whom was wielding an axe - in and around the Drunken Ship bar in Campo Dei Fiori between 10.45pm and 11.15pm.
However, Superintendent Steve Swales, Cleveland police's commander on the Italian trip, appealed for calm ahead of tonight's Uefa Cup second-leg tie between Boro and Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. "People back in the UK will be listening to this, watching this during the course of the day. If they are in contact with relatives over here, we would appeal for calm," he said. "Whatever happens, we do not want anybody seeking any kind of retribution for this. We are here for a football match and football has to be the winner at the end of this, not the violence. I am appealing for calm, I am appealing for the Middlesbrough people just to take this in their stride, let us and let the Italian authorities deal with the matter."
The British Embassy in Rome confirmed five Italians were arrested in connection with the incident and were due to appear in court today. The injured men have not been named as police contact their relatives, but the most seriously hurt, who was travelling with his 11-year-old son, could be flown home later today.
Meanwhile, a drinking ban has been imposed in some of Rome's most popular piazzas and 300 police officers as well as 300 stewards will be on duty at tonight's match. The incident happened after a gang of Ultras, wearing masks and carrying knives, bottles and other weapons, struck as around 200 Boro fans were enjoying an evening's drinking. "A group of in excess of 30 Italian youths, described as Italian Ultras, came into the square," added Supt Swales. "They were a clearly well-organised group. They had an identified leader at their head - a gentleman who has been described to me as wearing a silver or shiny fireman's-type helmet and a bandana across his face with only his eyes visible.
"These people were carrying sticks, they had axes, we later discovered they had knives, they had firecrackers and paper firebombs. They came into the square and went to the Middlesbrough supporters who were drinking both inside and outside the Drunken Ship, and there the confrontation took place. The vast majority of the Middlesbrough supporters who were there are what we would describe as good, normal, shirt-wearing supporters of Middlesbrough, not hooligans, not people known for trouble. A lot of them were family groups with younger children, some with their wives."
Asked if any blame could be laid at the feet of the Boro fans, Supt Swales said: "I am absolutely satisfied that this has been wholly organised by the Ultras here in Roma." Another group of Ultras was discovered nearby and dispersed. The travelling fans had been warned of possible trouble before they set off for Italy after the club received a detailed briefing from police.
Late last year a Middlesbrough fan died after being stabbed outside a bar in Amsterdam, after travelling to watch his team in the Uefa Cup. Brendan O'Connor, 36, of London, had joined friends to travel to Holland where his team were playing Dutch side AZ Alkmaar last November.

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THREE ENGLISH FANS STABBED BY ITALIAN THUGS

AXE-WIELDING Italian football hooligans stabbed three English fans and injured 10 more during a riot in Rome last night.

The infamous 'Ultras' thugs attacked a bar where around 200 Middlesbrough fans were drinking ahead of their team's UEFA Cup second-leg clash with Roma tonight.

More than 30 Italian yobs, wearing masks and carrying knives, bottles and axes, descended on The Drunken Ship in Campo Dei Fiori between 10.45pm and 11.15pm.

A 38-year-old man, who had travelled to Rome with his 11-year-old son, was expected to be flown home today after undergoing surgery for serious stab wounds.

An 18-year-old and a 31-year-old, who were also stabbed, received treatment in hospital and were later released. Ten other Boro fans were treated for injuries, police said.

Superintendent Steve Swales, Cleveland Police's commander on the Italian trip, said: "A group of in excess of 30 Italian youths, described as Italian Ultras, came into the square.

"They were a clearly well-organised group. They had an identified leader at their head - a gentleman who has been described to me as wearing a silver or shiny fireman's-type helmet and a bandana across his face with only his eyes visible.

"These people were carrying sticks, they had axes, we later discovered they had knives, they had firecrackers and paper firebombs.

"They came into the square and went to the Middlesbrough supporters who were drinking both inside and outside the Drunken Ship, and there the confrontation took place.

"The vast majority of the Middlesbrough supporters who were there are what we would describe as good, normal, shirt-wearing supporters of Middlesbrough, not hooligans, not people known for trouble.

"A lot of them were family groups with younger children, some with their wives." .

Five Italians were arrested by police over the violence and were expected to appear in court today.

Boro hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg and tonight's winner's will go through to the quarter-finals.


Baton-wielding Italian police chase Middlesbrough soccer fans during clashes in Rome March 14, 2006.

Thirty PSG fans banned from Parc des Princes - 15/03/2006

Source : REÜTERS

Thirty supporters of Paris St Germain will be banned from their Parc des Princes stadium from Sunday, French interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, Paris St Germain chairman Pierre Blayau said the French club had been "taken hostage" by rival groups of soccer hooligans who ransacked a motorway service station on their way back from a match.

"As from Sunday, 30 people will be banned from attending the (PSG) matches and will be summoned to the police station at the time of the games," Sarkozy told parliament.

France recently passed a law to tackle violent soccer fans and Sarkozy said that additional measures would be introduced to the national assembly as soon as possible.

"We want to allow families to return to soccer stadiums and feel safe. It was about time," Sarkozy said.

Fighting between the "Tigris Mystics" and the "Boulogne Independents" broke out during the first division match in Nantes where PSG were held to a 0-0 draw.

Police separated the two rival groups who clashed again at a service station on the motorway near Ancenis in western France. After fighting, they ransacked a shop.

Police said five people were injured and 22 arrested. Most were released but three were then charged.


Le Mans-PSG, 13rd of march 2004.

Seasiders ban fans - 14/03/2006

Source : TEAMtalk

Blackpool have banned eight supporters from Bloomfield Road following violence after last month's home clash with Nottingham Forest.
Trouble flared before, during and after last month's League One clash with many as 200 people fought running battles in the streets in the build-up to the game.
Numerous fans were ejected from the ground during the 90 minutes and violence continued in town centre pubs and clubs late into the night.
The eight supporters banned were identified using a combination of police intelligence and CCTV footage.
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston said: "We've taken this step to support the police as I'm aware of a problem and we want to make sure it's nipped in the bud.
"I cannot tolerate the fact a family club could be infiltrated and affected by the behaviour of a small minority of so-called supporters."

FC Winterthur - FC Sion - Cup - 15/03/2006

Source : Sionsupporters.ch

Police call for City fans - 15/03/2006

Source : TEAMtalk

West Midlands Police has reiterated its plea for Cardiff fans to be banned from future away games against Wolves at Molineux following last Saturday's violence.
The force is demanding a ban after two of its officers were taken to hospital and 17 people arrested in angry scenes at the stadium before and during the Championship clash.
"I will be making representations to the club (Wolves) and the Football Association against Cardiff fans travelling to Molineux again because of the devastation they caused," said Superintendent Keith Baldwin.
Cardiff issued a statement criticising the ban as "unnecessary, premature and ill-advised" while an FA spokesman said it was a decision for the police and the club but that a ban would be "extremely rare".

Three men held after soccer brawl - 15/03/2006

Source : BBC NEWS

Three men arrested over football- related violence in Hull city centre in January have been bailed by police.

They are suspected of involvement in an incident on 7 January when Hull City played Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup at the KC Stadium.
The police said disorder took place between two rival groups of men about an hour after the final whistle.
Police attended the incident at the time and arrested five men for causing an affray. They are on police bail.
The men arrested on Wednesday are aged 18, 20 and 25, and all come from Hull.
They were taken to Priory Road police station for interview.

ITALIAN HOOLIGANS STAB AND BATTER BORO FANS - 16/03/2006

Source : DAILY RECORD

THREE English football fans were stabbed during an attack by a gang wielding axes, knives and baseball bats yesterday.
About 30 Middlesbrough supporters gathered for last night's UEFA Cup clash with Roma were ambushed by 80 "Ultra" hooligans in Rome's Campo di Fiori square.
Five Italians were arrested after the mayhem.
A 39-year-old man, travelling with his 11-year-old son, had surgery and was detained in hospital with stab wounds to his back.
Another man was slashed on the back and a 31-year-old stab victim had hospital treatment.
Cleveland Police superintendent Steve Swales, in Rome, said: "Most Boro fans were running for their lives.
"The Ultras were clearly well organised and were carrying sticks, axes, knives, firecrackers and paper firebombs.
"Boro fans were mainly in family groups with younger children, some with their wives. I am satisfied that this has been wholly organised by the Ultras."
Buttock slashing is common in Italian football violence as it causes a great deal of pain.

Croatian coach savagely beaten-16/03/2006

Source:AFP

Luka Bonacic, coach of Croatian football champions Hajduk Split, has been hospitalized with serious injuries after being attacked on front of his home, police said Thursday.
Police spokesman Zlatko Mehun said that Bonacic was badly hurt after receiving blows to his head and body with an iron stick.
Bonacic, 51, suffered mild concussion as well as head, back and right arm injuries, said Zvonimir Tomic, a surgeon in a Split hospital.
Motives for Wednesday's attack are still unknown.
Local press speculated it could be linked with the demonstrations following Saturday's 1-1 league draw with Slaven Belupo Koprivnica.
After the match dozens of angry Hajduk Split fans protested.
"They were protesting because they believed the match was fixed," Bonacic said Monday.
Bonacic became the club's eighth coach in two years when he replaced Ivan Gudelj last month arriving from Albanian first division side Dinamo Tirana.

FIFA points penalties for racist abuse welcomed - 17/03/2006

Source : AFP

Anti-racism campaigners welcomed a move by FIFA to introduce points deductions for clubs whose supporters abuse black players as a positive step towards eradicating racism from football.

FIFA, football's world governing body, on Thursday outlined a new framework of sanctions for offending clubs which it will require affiliated national federations and associations to adopt.

Under the FIFA system, clubs found guilty of failing to prevent their supporters from abusing opposing players on racial grounds could be docked three points for a first offence, six for a second and even relegated in the case of repeated incidents.

A spokesman for the English Football Association gave the FIFA move a broad welcome, while stressing that how such a system would work in practice would need careful thought.

"We clearly welcome any moves to stamp out racism in football," the spokesman said Friday.

"We have made great strides in this country but we are not complacent and we will continue to campaign against racism whenever it occurs.

"As for the precise detail of this proposal, we will have to look at it once FIFA have sent it through, but our existing disciplinary procedures do already allow for points deductions in certain extreme cases."

Piara Powar, director of the anti-racist Kick It Out campaign, said the FIFA directive marked a significant turning point.

"It is important that they are sporting sanctions rather than fines, which clubs have the means to pay," Powar said.

"We welcome the positive regulations as there have been too many football associations in Europe who have been fudging the issue. We believe there will be an instant impact."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said meanwhile that the new rules would be effective immediately. "The new punishments are justified because we have to hit offenders where it hurts," Blatter said. "Fining them is no longer enough."

"We hope that these rules will put an end to acts racism. Society expects it of us," Blatter added.

Officials at the English FA were privately very critical of FIFA for its reaction to the racist abuse received by black England players Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips during an international friendly against Spain in Madrid in November 2004.

FIFA fined the Spanish FA the equivalent of 44,750 pounds (78,500 dollars) and was criticised for being overly lenient given the scale of the abuse.

Since then, a number of serious incidents have served to push the issue of racism in football higher up the agenda.

Earlier this year, Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o threatened to walk off the pitch in a match at Real Zaragoza in which his every touch was greeted with a cacophony of monkey noises.

The club was subsequently fined 9,000 euros by the Spanish federation, a sanction that was described by England defender Rio Ferdinand as "a joke".

Eto'o has welcomed FIFA's new get-tough policy, the African Footballer of the Year's agent said. "I can tell you he is very happy that FIFA has decided to tackle this problem and take these measures," Josep Maria Mesalles said.

"He is proud to have contributed to this campaign through his attitude and comportment," Mesalles added.

In Italy, racist barracking reduced Messina's Ivory Coast international Marco Zoro to tears during a November match against Inter Milan and Lazio striker Paulo di Canio has been fined for giving a fascist salute to supporters of the Roman club.

Earlier this week, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for referees to be given the power to abandon matches in which black players are abused.

Foreign students attacked by Zenit yobs - 16/03/2006

Source : AFP

Six foreign students were beaten by a group of Russian thugs who mistook them for visiting football fans following the UEFA Cup last 16 clash between Zenit St Petersburg and French side Marseille.

Around 20 Zenit supporters attacked the group of Pakistani, Jordanian and Israeli students on a metro train on Thursday night, local police spokesman Viatcheslav Steptchenko said.

The yobs asked the students if they were French and then, despite not understanding their denials, started to attack them before the students fled.

Around 60 Zenit fans were arrested by police after the match.

Zenit St Petersburg qualified for the UEFA Cup quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate following the 1-1 draw at home to Marseille.


Om fans protected by the police