Season 06/07 - November

Pescara - SC Napoli - 25/11/2006

Source : ANSA

Local fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium using violence.
Police forces made an intervention using teargas.
Scuffles also erupted between both sides of fans.

UR Namur - La Louvière - 25/11/2006

Source: mail

First infos

This 3rd belgian divison game was classified as a high-risks one.
An off taken during the week was refused by La Louviere side.
At the end of the game locals assaulted a La Louvière coach.
A few minutes later a visitor player was punched up by a local fan.
Following this incident La Louvière players assaulted fans using bricks and gates.
Scuffles took place between both sides.

Virton - KV Mechelen - 25/11/2006

Source: mail

Many Kavé fans made the trip to Virton.
As they were angry about the result (4-0 at this time) some of them went out before the end of the game and they caused troubles, attacking local immigrates.
Police forces restored order.

FC Luzern - St-Gallen - 25/11/2006

Source : Romandie News

Riots before and after the game

Fights took place before and after the game, opposing rival fans.
Police forces arrested 2 persons.

Riots started at the Luzern station when a St Gallen mob arrived. Polie forces made a line between both sides of fans
At the end of the game, won by St Gallen, a group of local fans stopped a coach with ST Gallen fans, damaged it.

Two others coaches were also damaged.

Police used plastic bullets to restore order.

Other riots occured at the station who was assaulted by local fans. Polie forces used teargas.

During the game a man, aged 34, entered the pitch before being arrested.
Trying to liberate him another man, aged 49, assaulted cops
Both were arrested.

St Gallen fans

SK Lokeren - RSC Charleroi - 25/11/2006

Source: mails

Charleroi view:

We left Charleroi at about 6.30pm with approx 15 lads for arriving in Lokeren 5 minutes prior to the game.
We phoned to locals who said they are in a pub called 'Standaard'.
We parked our cars and took this direction. Another phonecall and locals said we must wait on a local Grand Place. We waited with about 10 and 1 of them arrived and said they're in a pub near us.
We went to this pub where they are about 15. Three of them went outside and refused an off and proposed another at the end of the game, behind the station. We accepted.
At the end of the game, police forces stopped us for 10 minutes.
We took our cars and left the city centre before coming back to avoid police forces.
We received a phonecall from locals who gane an off in the Mc Donald's. Some of us are yet there but are arrested by cops who are still there.
Lokeren lads said they left due to this police presence.
We came back to the Grand Place but no Lokeren there so we left the city.
Finally we stayed there for an hour after the game without any action.
We accepted their off but we could have assaulted them before the game but they refused.

Lokeren view:

A view from a Lokeren lad:

Before the game we made a strong group (about 50 lads) and we were waiting on the RCSC lads to arrive in Lokeren. When they arrived they didn't know where our pub was so we went to them with 10. We arrived there and we entered the bar to drink something and wait till they are there. A few minutes later they arrive with 7lads so 3 of us went outside to have a look but the other didn't want to come outside. So it was 3 Lokeren lads vs 7 RCSC lads. We were talking about a fight after the game after the train station. After the game we phoned them several times to ask where they are but they had problems with the cops. After that we phoned them again and asked where they were, they were @ the highway but we told them to come to Mc Donalds (next to the highway). We were waiting there with 25 lads for about 30mins but no RCSC lads were coming. Suddenly the cops arrive with several combi's so we took our car and got away. 2 of our cars got busted. Then we phoned them again with the smaller group to come to the market because of the cops. But they already left Lokeren cuz of trouble with the cops.
Thanks for trying. Fuck the cops.



Translation:
After the game Lokeren-Charleroi there were trouble with the supporters. 2 hooligan groups wanted to fight near the Daknam Stadium. They had sticks, baseball bats and other weapons. When the polici arrived they ran away. The police could bust 1 car and a second one drove into the cops. A policeman made 2 shots with his gun, its not sure jet if someone has been hit. The cars drove away.

Austria Wien - Grazer AK - 25/11/2006

Source: mail

Litex Lovech - Levski Sofia - 25/11/2006

Source : Novinite + FOCUS Information Agency

Bulgarian Police, Football Fans Clash after Game

A police officer form the Bulgarian town Lovech ended with bloody nose after a clash between fans of the football teams Litex and Levski and local police on Sunday.

Two hours after the game tension among police and fans of the two teams in the town escalated dramatically.

Vandalism activities emerged right after the game, when Levski fans started breaking seats and fences on the stadium. Police arrested 30 Levski supporters and currently keeps them in front of the police station, questioning them for the vandalism.

Meanwhile many other Levski fans complained police for no reason has beaten them.

Reporter from channel 3 TV also lodged a complaint for police violations. He claimed two men, supposedly civil police officers, grabbed him by the hair and dragged him for several meters on the ground right after the game.

*****************************************************************************************

No fans have been arrested after the football match between Litex and Levski, the Regional Police Directorate-Lovech told FOCUS News Agency. Currently there are 25-30 fans in the police station who should specify their participation in the clashes after the match. They will be freed after that. The only ones who could be detained are the fans who took part in the clash with the police officer injured after the match.
The policeman was rushed to the hospital; his condition is stable.

*******************************************************************************************

A police officer is with a broken nose after clashes at the football match between Litex and Levski, the Regional Police Directorate-Lovech told FOCUS News Agency. Policeman’s condition is stable. It is not clear yet whether a football fan hit him or an object was thrown at him.
Currently there are 30 Levski fans in front of the police station in Lovech. The police officers brought them to specify what their participation in the clashes was. As a result of the vandalism many seats are broken. The fans will be freed or detained after their participation is clarified. The rest of the fans are on their way to Sofia.

PSG fans march in Nantes after fan's death - 26/11/2006

Source : REUTERS

Paris St Germain supporters were taking part in a silent march ahead of the team's Ligue 1 match in Nantes on Sunday as a tribute to a fan shot dead by a policeman last week.

Police said they had authorised the march, near Nantes' Beaujoire stadium, and expected about 200 supporters to take part. The match was due to start at 1700 GMT.

Julien Quemener, a 25-year-old PSG fan, was shot dead by a policeman following PSG's 4-2 defeat by Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Witnesses said the black policeman opened fire on a mob of PSG fans who were chasing a Jewish supporter of the Israeli team outside Parc des Princes in Paris. The policeman, who said he had acted in self-defence, has not been charged.

The fan was a member of the Boulogne Boys, a group of supporters comprising far-right sympathisers, some registered by police as violent.






Nantes Fans joined the PSG Fans during the march

Shooting death of fan follows long history of violence at PSG - 27/11/2006

Source : Associated Press

The shooting death of a Paris Saint-Germain supporter prompted a political outcry and national outrage - yet the racism and soccer violence it exposed have clouded the city`s glamour club for more than 20 years.

A black police officer, Antoine Granomort, killed one man and wounded another while under attack from a group of PSG supporters following Thursday`s UEFA Cup match against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

The PSG fans shouted anti-Semitic and racial epithets, and Granomort said he was trying to protect himself and another fan described by officials as a French Jew.

Tackling PSG`s history of racism and violence is taking on national importance as France heads into pivotal presidential elections next year, and grapples with how to integrate its minorities whose sense of disenfranchisement was highlighted by nationwide riots last year.

Fan groups deny inciting attacks and PSG officials say they can do little to stop the clashes. But interviews with gang members and repeated visits to PSG games found that racist hooligans operate openly at the Parc des Princes on the western outskirts of Paris.

Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, a presidential hopeful, met French soccer head Frederic Thiriez, PSG president Alain Cayzac and fan groups after Thursday`s clash.

Police said the two men who were shot were members of a group known as the Boulogne Boys, some of whom have links to PSG`s tight-knit and violent far-right fan base, which congregates in the Kop of Boulogne, one of the two main stands at the 43,000-seat Parc des Princes.

During one match last season, a fan yelled at former PSG midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, who is of Indian origin, "Go sell peanuts in the metro." It was among the least offensive shouts in a tirade of vulgar epithets and monkey chants.

French soccer draws heavily on talent from former African colonies, making it both a showcase of mixed races and a target for racists.

The Boulogne Boys have been quick to distance themselves from allegations that the group has a far-right leaning.

"The (Boulogne) Boys have never been political, and never will be," the group said in a statement Friday. "The media have once again stigmatized our association."

The Kop of Boulogne has long had a strong racist presence. One of the groups that congregate there, the Independents, number about 120-150, with about 80 known to have the strongest right-wing views. The shooting victim, Julien Quemener, is reported to have been close to the Independents.

Senegal-born Patrick Vieira, a midfielder for France`s national team, said last year he would "have to think twice before setting foot (at Parc des Princes) again."

French hooliganism began at the stadium in 1984 when English and French fans clashed on the terraces during an international match, leaving dozens injured. That made French thugs firmly part of the hooligan movement that was dominating British headlines.

The Kop of Boulogne, with its low admission fees, became a meeting point for disaffected white youths, many from poor surrounding suburbs. It soon was infiltrated by from far-right militants.

In 1991, Arab fans were attacked by marauding Boulogne hooligans. Earlier this month, a man of Senegalese origin was attacked by six Boulogne thugs after a match at Le Mans. Two of the assailants have received prison sentences.

PSG officials have long insisted racists are a minority and that their powers to stop them are limited - even with 102 cameras inside the stadium.

"You can`t ask PSG to arrest and judge people. Things don`t work that way in France," PSG director of communications Jean-Philippe d`Halliville said in an AP interview in April.

Prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin, who is investigating Thursday`s incident, said the clubs can and will be held responsible for such violence.

Former hooligans have been hired as stadium ushers and are on first-name terms with known troublemakers, sometimes letting them in without tickets or a search.

Jean-Pierre Larrue, head of security at PSG until two years ago, was determined to clear the stadium of hooligans and racists. But he was considered too heavy-handed and fan groups threatened mayhem and boycotts. The club fired him.

"After my departure, (the thugs) once again found a sense of impunity," Larrue told sports daily L`Equipe on Saturday.

Following Thursday`s shooting death of the 25-year-old Quemener, about 150-200 Boulogne Boys called a peaceful meeting outside the Parc des Princes. Prior to Sunday`s match at Nantes, they marched through Nantes city center in Quemener`s honor. Riot police, known as CRS, kept a watchful eye.

Clashes between PSG hooligans and the CRS have been almost as frequent as fights with rivals. During a match against Caen in 1993, PSG fans swarmed over an isolated CRS officer and kicked him into a coma. He eventually recovered.

PSG hooligans have clashed with Saint-Etienne, Nantes, Lyon, Nice and hated southern rival Marseille. Friendships, meanwhile, were formed with far-right fan groups at clubs such as Metz.

A Marseille fan was partially paralyzed in 2000 after being hit over the head with a metal seat. Two years ago, Marseille`s team bus almost crashed when a rock was thrown through the window.

PSG`s progress in European competition saw even more vicious fighting. Between 1993 and 2003, PSG thugs fought with groups from Arsenal, Anderlecht, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Rangers, CSKA Moscow and Chelsea.

With no European competition last season, fighting was largely internal as Boulogne members fought a multiracial PSG group called the Tigris Mystic, gathered at the opposite end of Parc des Princes in the Tribune d`Auteuil.

Thursday`s incident has prompted calls for a British-style zero-tolerance plan.

Sarkozy wants PSG`s hooligans banned from matches and champions anti-terrorism legislation to boost video surveillance. His Socialist rival in the presidential race, Segolene Royal, proposes shutting down stands such as the Kop of Boulogne.

Police arrest nine in dawn raids - 28/11/2006

Source : BBC

Nine alleged football hooligans have been arrested by police during a series of dawn raids in the Lothians.

A team of detectives has spent the past five weeks studying CCTV footage of violence following the Hearts verses Hibs match in the middle of last month.

Tuesday's raids are the first of several planned, with police asking anyone involved to hand themselves in.

Addresses in Howdenhall, Restalrig, Telford, Corstorphine and Tranent in East Lothian were raided at 0500 GMT.

Identifying suspects

The nine men are all aged between 20 and 39 years old. It is expected all will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

A squad of 12 officers has spent weeks combing through hours and hours of CCTV footage, frame by frame, identifying suspects.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said: "This is the first of a number of planned raids.

"If you were involved in the trouble that day in Edinburgh, hand yourself in before we come knocking at your door, or even target you at work."

Police order stand closure at troubled PSG - 30/11/2006

Source: Reuters

The Boulogne Kop, an area of the Parc des Princes where Paris St Germain's most extreme fans traditionally assemble, has been closed on police orders until further notice following the death of a PSG fan last week.


Paris police chief Pierre Mutz said the closure will take effect from Sunday's Ligue 1 match against Toulouse. The kick-off has also been brought forward three hours from six o'clock in the evening to three in the afternoon.


'Access to the lower part of the tribune of the Boulogne Kop will not be granted on Sunday and it will remain closed even for season ticket holders until further notice, It will affect about 2,000 fans,' Mutz said after a three-hour meeting with the club's officials at police headquarters on Monday.

A policeman shot dead 25-year-old Julien Quemener and injured another while under attack from fans following PSG's 4-2 defeat by Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv in a UEFA Cup match last week.

Witnesses said the policeman opened fire on a mob of PSG fans who were chasing a Jewish supporter of the Israeli team outside the stadium following the match.

However, the Hapoel fan said the policeman did not have the intention of killing.

The fan's death triggered a nationwide debate about how to rid soccer of violence and racism in France.

'We have received some re-assuring news from PSG about how the season tickets are isssued and delivered to fans. This will be made under the control of the club. There was no way to let the fans associations deal with the tickets,' Christophe Caresche, a Paris deputy mayor added.

PSG chairman Alain Cayzac said: 'This is sad. It has never happened before. I hope its only a temporary measure and I hope it gives all the parties involved the opportunity to review the situation and to think about it,' he told French radio.

Cayzac has also called for a meeting with police, French soccer officials, delegates of the fans associations and PSG officials to discuss the issue.

Tensions high ahead of next PSG home match - 30/11/2006

Source: AFP

Paris is bracing itself for a possible backlash as the fall-out from last week's killing of a Paris St Germain supporter continues.

Even politicians are getting involved as the issues of football violence and racism have dominated the newspaper column inches following the fatal shooting of a youth by off-duty policeman Antoine Granomort last Thursday.

Granomort, who is black, was protecting a Jewish fan from a mob of Parisian supporters after PSG's humiliating 4-2 home defeat to Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup when he shot and killed one fan while seriously injuring another.

The Hapoel fan, who is actually a French Jew, was being attacked by a group of hardcore PSG fans known as the Boulogne Boys who chanted anti-semitic and racist slogans during the attack.

Now French Presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy has sent out a warning to supporters groups that they must take their own steps to tackle violence and racism among their members.

"Supporters' associations who do not break free from racist movements or violence will be dissolved," said Sarkozy.

The incident has opened up divisions in French society with some seeing Granomort as a hero and others deploring the loss of life of a football supporter and criticising heavy-handed police tactics.

Sunday will see the first match to be played at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium since the calamitous UEFA Cup encounter last Thursday, and security and tensions are already running high.

Two sections of the stadium, which usually houses the majority of the notorious far-right supporters' group the Boulogne Boys, have been closed until further notice, meaning around 2,000 of PSG's most hard-core fans will be locked out for the visit of Toulouse.

The game has also been brought forward two hours from 5pm (1600 GMT) local time to 3pm so it will finish before dusk and 1,200 police officers will be stationed around the ground.

French football league chief Jean-Pierre Hugues approves of the measures being taken.

"We have to show a change of approach," he said. "This closure affects more than 2,000 places. It's a strong statement.

"It's not a soft or symbolic gesture. It's a heavy response. But we had to demonstrate the determination of the authorities to stop these unacceptable actions."

One PSG supporter was not impressed with the move.

Cyrille Monet, a season ticket holder in the closed stands, told AFP innocent fans were being unfairly punished.

"There are some troublemakers in these sections but there aren't 2,000 of them. There's only 50-100 but we're all being punished. I only sit there because the tickets are cheaper. I'm really disappointed, the club hasn't told us anything yet."

However many within the game feel the French authorities are not doing enough to prevent hooliganism and believe a lot can be learned from France's cross-channel neighbours England.

"The public authorities need to put themselves at the level of England where thousands are banned from stadiums," said Dominique Sopo, president of the S.O.S Racism group in France in an interview with l'Equipe newspaper.

"Files are kept on dangerous people so the problems can be managed. The (French) League needs to do more than just get children to parade against racism.

"At PSG they have to stop trying to come to an agreement with agitator groups. They have to stop pandering to them."

Violence, death threats roil Argentine soccer - 20/11/2006

Source: Reuters

In Argentina, few things inspire passion like soccer.
But Argentines are increasingly cynical about the national pastime as fan violence, allegations of death threats and suspicions of match-fixing have plunged the game into a deep crisis.
Some sports commentators have likened the turmoil to the scandal that roiled Italian soccer earlier this year and have urged the season be called off. Many fans have watched in disbelief.
"I thought I'd seen it all. Strange things have always happened in Argentine soccer, but this is getting surreal," said Jorge Barros, a 37-year-old electrician.
Over the weekend, a season already hit by fan violence appeared to take a turn for the worse. Most games were played in nearly empty stadiums after authorities banned fans of visiting teams from matches for the rest of the season because of increasing violence in the stands.
On Sunday, one match was called off hours before it was scheduled to start when supporters of two popular teams, Racing Club and San Lorenzo, blocked team buses from traveling to the stadium, angry over a decision ordering the game to be played behind closed doors because of security concerns.
Late on Monday, players threatened to go on strike if authorities did not repeal the ban on visiting fans in the coming days. They also demanded-beefed up security at stadiums.
In recent days, players have voiced concern about their safety. Prosecutors recently investigated death threats by fans of the Gimnasia-La Plata club urging their team to throw a game to damage a rival's chances of winning the tournament.
The probe followed charges earlier this year that Gimnasia's team president barged into a dressing room at halftime and threatened the game's referees.
Newspaper headlines on Monday captured the mood, talking of "soccer's chaos" and the game being "out of control."
"It's hard to take the game seriously at this point," said Pablo Colares, 42, a tour guide.
'THE GAME HAS BEEN CORRUPTED'
Fan violence has plagued much of the Argentine soccer season since it began in August, leading to the suspension of at least three matches. Argentina's first-division league is one of South America's strongest, and most leading players eventually head to some of the top clubs in Europe.
The league troubles have again turned the spotlight on "barrabravas" -- organized fans often accused of violence who frequently are financed and given tickets by many clubs.
Many Argentines say the recent chaos also has exposed what they say is the sport's unsavory side.
Recent newspaper reports have painted Argentina's professional leagues as ensnared in conflicts between powerful businessmen and politicians with links to clubs, and barrabrava fans who also act as goon squads for elected political officials.
"The game has been corrupted," said mechanic Manuel Castillo, 51.
Some commentators said the game had already been dealt a tremendous blow.
"The Italian championship has been cast as the most corrupt in the world. And here at home?" sports columnist Juan Pablo Varsky wrote recently in the Buenos Aires daily La Nacion.
"Between us all, we have achieved it: We have the worst soccer in the world."

Argie fans hit new low - 20/02/2006

Source: AFP

From correspondents in Buenos Aires
November 20, 2006 ARGENTINA league football suffered a new setback today (AEDT), when fears for player safety prompted the cancellation of the Racing v San Lorenzo game just before kick off.

Dozens of angry fans prevented Racing players from getting on their bus outside the team hotel, in protest at the decision of the Argentinian Football Federation (AFA) to have the match played behind closed doors.

The supporters chanted: "You can't play without fans" as the team failed in its attempt to reach the La Plata ground in the city.

The game was ordered to take place without anyone in the stands following violence at the Racing v Independiente match last week.

San Lorenzo fans vented their rage by chaining the doors of the stadium.

The league has been dogged by constant violence between fans.

As a result, measures have been taken to have all games played behind closed doors, with only season ticket holders allowed to watch.

1,400 Policemen to Guard Bulgaria's Levski- Barcelona Clash - 22/11/2006

Source: novinite.com

A total of 1,400 policemen will make sure there are no incidents at the football game between Bulgaria's FC Levski versus Barcelona on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior announced.

Fans will be able to enter the Vassil Levski stadium after going through two security checks. Water bottles, umbrellas and inflammable objects will be confiscated and in case it rains, fans will only be allowed in with raincoats only.

Drunken or aggressive ticket holders wouldn't be allowed in the stadium. Police reminded football fans the stadium is equipped with cameras so any violations of the order will be taped.

Football fans will be let to enter the stadium through 26 and one VIP entrances, starting from 18:30 pm.

40,000 tickets have been printed for the game. Some 260 Spanish fans are expected to attend the game.

25 football fans arrested in Somalia watching Chelsea-Manchester United clash - 26/11/2006

Source: AIPS

Islamic rulers in Somalia arrested a group of football fans, some as young as ten years old, for watching yesterday's English premiership league game between Chelsea and Manchester United in a cinema.

The sports fans were seized by the Islamists who also destroyed and confiscated equipment belonging to the cinema in the Buulo Burde district of Hiiran region in central Somalia.

Eye witness Adul Waahid Ahmed told the AIPS website that during the fiercely contested 1-1 game between Chelsea and Manchester United masked Islamists stormed into the cinema and opened fire above the heads of the viewers.

"Everyone ran toward the front of the cinema and only 25 of the more than 150 fans were arrested and had their heads shaved," the eye witness told Shafici Mohyaddin Abokar of the Somali Sports Press Association via phone this morning.

"Praise be to Allah no one was hurt," he said

The Islamic Courts Union which now fully controls most of south and central regions of lawless Somalia is strengthening its position throughout the region and banned the watching of sport as part of its campaign to impose Islamic rule on the country.

Sheik Hussein Barre Raage of the district Islamic Courts Union in Buulo Burde harshly criticized the viewing of sport by Somali citizens and said that anyone caught watching a match would be registered as a criminal.

"Now the bad lovers of sport are in jail and will remain there until they are taught the good culture and lessons of Islam," the Islamist administrator said.

The Sheik told a press conference that Somali youth are obliged to go to the holy war instead of watching what he called "the bad games which descended from the old Christian cultures." The Sheik decreed that instead of watching television, sports fans must register at specially established holy war registration centers.

Sheik Hussein Barre Raage said that the ICU had already issued a warrant banning the watching of any sport games. “Anyone caught ignoring the Islamic law will be imprisoned and forgotten in jail and those who are already in jail will be dealt with in accordance with the law of Islam,” he said.

This morning relatives were unsuccessful in having fans released, some of whom are younger than 10 years old.

In what is seen as an escalating campaign, Islamists in the Afgooye district of the lower Shabelle region closed cinemas, arrested the owners and confiscated equipment.

Recently the ICU and leaders of the Somali NOC agreed that only men were able to participate in sporting activity, but the ICU has continued to enforce a complete ban on the viewing of all foreign sporting contests.

AS Nancy - Feyenoord Rotterdam - 30/11/2006

source: AP + forums

Some riots occured today in the city-center of Nancy (France) before the UEFA Cup game between Nancy and Feyenoord Rotterdam. Some 300 dutch hooligans, mostly because of a high consomation of beer, had provoced troubles in the end of the afternoon, as we have been informed by the police.

The French Police, helped by its Dutch counterpart, intervened to stop those troubles. A 31 years old man has been arrested for having thrown a bottle to the Police.

Some 2.000 Dutch supporters travelled to Nancy for this game.



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Nancy-Feyenoord game suspended after crowd trouble (Reuters)

PARIS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Nancy's UEFA Cup game against Feyenoord was suspended for more than 30 minutes after trouble broke out in the stands, French radio RMC reported on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear whether smoke on the pitch was caused by smoke bombs or tear gas.

The Ligue 1 side were leading 3-0 when the referee sent both teams back to the locker rooms.

"The match will resume around 2150 GMT", Nancy chairman Jacques Rousselot was quoted as saying by RMC.

All Nancy fans left the stadium, RMC reported.


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Crowd trouble mars Uefa Cup match (news.bbc.co.uk)

Stewards attempt to calm the situation at the Marcel Picot stadium
The Uefa Cup tie between hosts Nancy and Feyenoord was suspended for more than 30 minutes following crowd trouble at the Marcel Picot stadium.
The incidents occurred after Nancy raced to a 3-0 lead against 10-man Feyenoord, who had Royston Drenthe sent off late in the second half.

The Dutch fans tried to smash the glass barriers in the stands and threw seats at stewards.

The game was stopped on 78 minutes and played to a finish after the delay.

*************************************************************



*************************************************************
Source: Reuters

Nancy qualify but win soured by crowd disturbances

LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - France's AS Nancy reached the last 32 of the UEFA Cup on Thursday but their celebrations were soured by crowd disturbances on a dark night for Dutch soccer.


The Ligue 1 side were leading 3-0 at home to former winners Feyenoord when their Group E match was halted 12 minutes from time after tear gas drifted on to the pitch at the Marcel Picot stadium and affected players and officials.


After a 30-minute delay, and with only the Dutch side's supporters remaining in the stadium, the match resumed without further scoring.

Feyenoord financial director Onno Jacobs blamed ticket-less Dutch fans for causing the trouble.

'The problems were caused by a group of fans that travelled to France without tickets or tickets bought in France and not by the group of 1200 fans, who bought tickets from us,' he told RTL7-TV.

'The group of unorganised fans caused problems this afternoon in the centre of Nancy and instead of being arrested they were driven together in a section of stadium and broke out during the match.'

Ajax Amsterdam also slumped 2-0 at home to Espanyol, a victory which sent the Spaniards through to the knockout stage and left the former European champions needing a draw from their final Group F game at Belgium's Zulte-Waregem in two weeks' time to guarantee qualification.

Ajax's defeat also secured Zulte a place in the knockout rounds. Greek side Panathinaikos were the other side on Thursday to make the last 32 after drawing 0-0 at home to Rapid Bucharest in Group G.

Nancy, in their first European season since their only previous campaign in 1978-79, proved far too strong for Feyenoord, who last won the trophy in 2002.

Defender Sebastian Puygrenier guided in Pascal Berenguer's shot from the edge of the box to give the Ligue 1 side the lead on 23 minutes and the advantage was doubled just before halftime when Michael Chretien's inswinging corner was bundled over his own line by Andre Bahia.

Feyenoord defender Royston Drenthe was sent off on the hour after a second yellow and five minutes later Monsef Zerka made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.

Uruguay forward Walter Pandiani set Espanyol on their way to victory over Ajax, registering his sixth goal in the competition this season. Ferran Corominas made sure of the points 12 minutes from time.

Celta Vigo notched up their first win in Group H, Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Canobbio securing a 1-0 victory over Fenerbahce with a well struck free kick 13 minutes from time.

Celta keeper Esteban had saved Brazilian Alex's 12th-minute penalty. Group leaders Newcastle, already through to the last 32, drew 0-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bristol City: Football fan charged after fight - 06/11/2006

Source: BBC News

A 27-year-old football fan has been charged following a fight between two Bristol City supporters at a Yeovil Town match on Saturday.
Police said the trouble started in the first half of the game between and led to two arrests.

Robert Jones, a pub licensee from Bristol, is due to appear before South Somerset magistrates next week charged with a public order offence.

The second man was released by police without charge.

Last week, police warned that extra officers and stewards would be drafted in to help prevent trouble between supporters in the local derby, which Yeovil Town won 2-1.

Airdrie fan banned from every UK football ground - 17/11/2002

Source: The Scotsman

A SUPPORTER of Airdrie United yesterday became the first person in Scotland to be banned from every UK football ground.

Izak Cowie, 38, is a member of the club's notorious "Section B" casuals. It is the first such order since legislation was introduced on 1 September allowing Scottish police forces to apply to have anyone convicted of a football- related offence banned from stadiums for up to ten years.

It is understood that Cowie, of Craigneuk, North Lanarkshire, was banned from matches until 2009 in relation to a number of alleged disorders over five years.

Chief Superintendent Kenny Scott, who has led operations to combat football hooliganism, said: "Strathclyde Police welcomes the granting of the first banning order under the civil procedures act. We hope the order sends a clear warning to those intending causing trouble that negative behaviour will not be tolerated."

The order against Cowie was granted during a two-minute hearing at Airdrie Sheriff Court yesterday.

The writ alleged that he invaded the pitch at Somerset Park in Ayr in May 2002 - a match between Ayr United and the former Airdrieonians, which had to be abandoned. The writ also said Cowie was captured on CCTV making "Nazi" salutes at a match between Airdrie United and Dundee at New Broomfield in February.

The right-wing Section B football casuals are widely regarded as one of the most violent gangs in Scotland.

Only last month Scottish Football bosses said they would be investigating after members of the group wore Ku Klux Klan outfits to taunt a black player at a match against Gretna.

Scotland: Police arrest ten in dawn raids - 29/11/2006

Source: BBC


Detectives have been studying CCTV footage

Ten alleged football hooligans have been arrested by police during a series of dawn raids in the Lothians.

A team of detectives has spent the past five weeks studying CCTV footage of violence following the Hearts verses Hibs match in the middle of last month.

Tuesday's raids are the first of several planned, with police asking anyone involved to hand themselves in.

Addresses in Howdenhall, Restalrig, Telford, Corstorphine and Tranent in East Lothian were raided at 0500 GMT.

Identifying suspects

The 10 men are all aged between 20 and 39 years old. It is expected all will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

A squad of 12 officers has spent weeks combing through hours and hours of CCTV footage, frame by frame, identifying suspects.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said: "This is the first of a number of planned raids.

"If you were involved in the trouble that day in Edinburgh, hand yourself in before we come knocking at your door, or even target you at work."

Cardiff to battle Wolves fans' ban - 12/11/2006

Source: BreakingNews.ie

Coca-Cola Championship leaders Cardiff have vowed to reverse a ban on their supporters after being told by Wolves that they will not be allowed to attend their clash at Molineux.

Wanderers have acted in preparation for the match on January 20 next year after violent scenes marred the previous two meetings between the sides in the midlands.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) are still waiting to conduct a hearing into the last time the teams met there, when visiting fans clashed with police during half time in the home side’s 2-0 win – delaying the restart by almost 15 minutes.

Wolves are keen to avoid a repeat of those scenes and have moved to keep opposing fans from attending the fixture, but Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale has promised to fight on their behalf.

A statement released by Ridsdale on the club’s official website, www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk, said: “We have been informed by the chairman of the Football League that the Football League board, on the advice of the West Midlands Safety Advisory Group, has decided to ban all Cardiff City supporters from our match at Molineux.

City fans to fight away game ban - 13/11/2006

Source: South Wales Echo

A decision to ban Cardiff City supporters from an away fixture has outraged fans and the club.

Both have said they will challenge the decision after being told supporters would not be allowed to attend the Wolverhampton Wanderers match at Molineux on January 20, on the advice of the West Midlands Safety Advisory Group.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is still waiting to conduct a hearing into the last meeting there, when visiting fans clashed with police during half-time in the home side's 2-0 win - delaying the restart by almost 15 minutes.

A statement released by club chairman Peter Ridsdale said the decision was taken without giving the Championship leaders the opportunity to make representations.

He said: 'We will be taking urgent steps to reverse this decision. Whilst we acknowledge there have been incidents at Molineux at our last two away fixtures, Cardiff City does not accept that this decision is correct or that it improves safety.

South Africa violences - 24/11/2006

Source: IOL website

An ugly side of the Beautiful Game

It may be called the Beautiful Game, but it's very much the ugly side of football that has reared its head again in South Africa this season.

Orlando Pirates face Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby next Saturday at Soccer City and the focus will be on issues of security after a spate of distasteful incidents.

One fears that if there's a major problem at that match, tongues could again start wagging about the country's capacity to host World Cup 2010.

Chiefs have already been forced to play Moroka Swallows behind closed doors this season, after their fans threw objects onto the pitch after a defeat at home to Wits in September.

Chansa subsequently attacked Anjith and has been charged by the PSL
Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, have had crowd trouble at their home games for the past two weeks, at the Telkom Cup clash with Santos and last weekend's league encounter with Jomo Cosmos. At the Ezenkosi game, Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa was shown a red card for verbally abusing assistant referee Yujesh Anjith.

Chansa subsequently attacked Anjith and has been charged by the PSL with assault. Pirates have been charged for the misbehaviour of their fans.

To make matters worse, on the same weekend, Moroka Swallows fans clashed with police at their team's 0-0 home draw with Bloemfontein Celtic. Swallows have also been charged by the PSL.

The reasons for these outbursts are obvious: Chiefs, Pirates and Swallows have had disappointing starts to the season and their supporters are frustrated.

But it is no excuse for this kind of behaviour.

"We should learn how to control our anger and utilise proper channels to express our displeasure, especially with regard to some of the officials who are appointed to officiate at our matches," pleaded Pirates PRO Mickey Modisane on the club website this week.

It is hoped the fans heed his words, but Pirates might also do well to have a word with their players. As role models, the Buccaneers' stars must set an example on the pitch. Chansa's actions against Cosmos did exactly the opposite.

Security at the Soweto derby will doubtless be reinforced by an enormous police presence, as well as an increased number of PSL security personel.

There is certainly plenty security forces can do to help create a peaceful environment. For one, the tendency of some members of the PSL security to be over-aggressive needs to be curbed.

At the recent Wits-Chiefs Telkom Knockout match at Johannesburg Stadium, PSL security seemed extremely over-zealous in throwing out Students fans who appeared to have done little or nothing to provoke such behaviour.

Violence, after all, simply breeds violence.

Greater vigilance at entrances, meanwhile, could also stop fans smuggling alcohol into the ground.

One also expects the PSL to carry on with the line of punishment they have taken this season and impose harsh penalties on Pirates, Chansa and Swallows.

AKB Minior - Lokomotiv Plovdiv - 08/11/2006

Source: Lauta Hools website

Wisla Krakow - GKS Belchatow - 11/11/2006

Source: e-gks.info

Belchatow fans