Season 04/05 - March

Costa Rica fans banned after violence - 09/03/2005

Source: Reuters


Costa Rica have been fined and ordered to host their next World Cup qualifier behind closed doors after fans rioted following their defeat by Mexico last month, the national federation (Fedefutbol) has said.


World body FIFA fined Costa Rica 20,000 Swiss francs ($17,000) and ordered them to play Panama in the CONCACAF qualifiers behind closed doors at the Saprissa stadium in the capital on March 26, Fedefutbol chairman Hermes Navarro said.

Costa Rica fans threw objects including coins and batteries onto the pitch after Mexico won 2-1, their first win in San Jose in a World Cup qualifier, on February 9.

A Fedefutbol statement on Tuesday said Costa Rica would appeal as they consider the sanctions harsh.

Mexico and the U.S. lead the six-nation CONCACAF final qualifying group with three points each after the first round of matches. The U.S. also won 2-1 at Trinidad & Tobago while Panama drew 0-0 at home against Guatemala.

The top three sides qualify directly for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The fourth-placed team will play off against an Asian team.

England: Eyes on the hooligans - 15/03/2005

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

INTERACTIVE tech- nology from a East Lancashire firm has been switched from schools to tackle hooligans on match days.

The PRESENTA board and Px software is being marketed by Blackburn-based Pro-methean AV Distribution and involves an interactive whiteboard normally associated with the classroom.

A digital projector can apply any desktop computer application on to the big screen.

And, by using an electronically activated `magic' pen, maps and other applications can be brought up on the large whiteboards.

Blackburn Police became the first in the country to use the technology for a `live' operation for the FA Cup replay clash between Blackburn and Burnley.

A huge detailed map of the area was projected on to the screen and, by using colour coded symbols for Rovers and Clarets fans, controllers could plot the position of their officers on the ground and the movement of fans around Blackburn before and after the game.

The commander could then highlight trouble spots and react to potential conflict before it escalated.

And the technology was also used at Sunday's FA Cup clash between Rovers and Leicester.

Inspector Graham Keyte, of Blackburn Police, said: "The new technology gave us a much better view of where our officers were and we could respond and redeploy men much more efficiently.

"Rishton is one area we did not have a large police presence, but the technology let us identify where our closest officers were and how they could be positioned to prevent an incident.

"

The company hopes the force will be the first of many using the technology.

Blackburn Police have said the technology will now become a routine part of managing and plotting resources at major police operations.

Doug Sawyers, managing director of Promethean AV Distribution, said: "We now hope it will be implemented by forces across Britain and are also marketing it to the MOD and NHS.

England: Racist taunt claims in soccer 'friendly' - 18/03/2005

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Friday 18th Mar 2005.

A SOCCER tournament organised to promote racial harmony ended with angry white players walking off claiming they had been racially taunted by Asian teams and their supporters.

Forever Bury FC under-19s team stormed off mid-way through Sunday's tournament. Now Bury police have launched an investigation into the claims which were posted on Bury Football Club's official website. Organisers will also hold a meeting to discuss the weekend incident.

The six-a-side tournament, held on Openshaw Park on Rochdale Road, Bury, was organised by the Asian Development Association of Bury in partnership with Bury Sports Development (ADAB)and Bury Council park rangers. It was billed as a way of bringing together people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

But a team manager for Forever Bury Football Club said: "There was a threatening atmosphere both on and off the pitch. The players were called white bastards, and much worse. I was quite worried for my players. Two Asian players were removed from the pitch by the referee and told to calm down.

"The players in the Under-19s team were being constantly provoked and threatened. In the end they decided to walk away in fear of their own safety. Despite all the provocation, none of my players reacted or retaliated."

Forever Bury FC entered two teams, the Under-19s and Under-16s. They were the only two white teams among 20 in the tournament.

The team manager added: "We want action taken, as would be the case if my players were behaving in a racist manner. But then the lads just want to put the whole thing behind them. They know what happened is not a reflection of the Asian community as a whole.

"Personally I think the event was a good idea held in the wrong place. The whole thing became very territorial."

He said his team deserved an apology.

Mr Mohammed Ishaq, executive committee member for ADAB, admitted that racist comments were made on the day, but added: "Unfortunately there are hooligans in every part of society, regardless of race. It was a handful of people at the match who caused one or two problems. We would never condone such behaviour or tolerate any sort of racism.

"What happened is certainly no reflection on the wider community. It was a few foolish people."

Neil Long, Bury Council's head of parks, countryside and customer services, dismissed the "racism" claims as nothing more than "rowdy football banter between spectators" and pointed out that the park had hosted successful multi-racial events in the past. He said: "It is unfortunate that there was a perception of racial tension."

Superintendent Peter Scofield, from Bury Police added: "We understand the event was organised to promote good relations between different racial groups, and it would be very disappointing if that intention has been damaged.

"If any of the contributors to the website wish to come forward to report insulting or threatening behaviour we will investigate those reports. We are working with the organisers to gain a better understanding of what actually happened."

Burnley: Fans held in dawn swoops - 21/03/2005

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Monday 21st Mar 2005.

FOUR Burnley fans were arrested by police as part of a series of dawn swoops across the country.

The men were all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following the World Cup qualifying football game between England and Wales last October 9 at Old Trafford.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Lucas, which was launched by Greater Manchester Police after the disorder which followed the match in Manchester.

A total of 28 people were arrested in today's raids, including suspected hooligans from Cheshire, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire, as well as the four from East Lancashire.

They were all identified after a six-month operation by GMP and football intelligence officers from other forces, including Lancashire, to pick out the suspected hooligans from CCTV footage.

Police said all four were known to follow Burnley Football Club.

Officers from across the county raided addresses in Burnley and Bacup as part of the co-ordinated 6am swoop.

A 26-year-old and two 21-year-olds from Burnley and a 45-year-old from Bacup were arrested. A fifth man was being sought.

The men were all taken to Greenbank police station in Blackburn where they were due to be interviewed by officers from Greater Manchester Police.

Chief Inspector Chris Bithell said: "Football related violence will not be tolerated by GMP or any other

police force in the UK. Football is a sport that everyone should be able to enjoy and it should not be blighted by mindless hooliganism.

"A dedicated team of detectives from GMP have worked closely with football intelligence officers from the eight other forces over the last six months to identify the people believed to be involved in the disorder after the England and Wales game. The groups of men are believed to have been affiliated to different UK football clubs.

"Today's arrests send a clear message to those thinking of getting involved in football violence, you will not get away with it and we are fully determined to eradicate this type of behaviour."

Ten people involved in the disorder still need to be identified and police from Operation Lucas will be at the World Cup qualifier between England and Northern Ireland at Old Trafford on Saturday to try and spot the suspects.

Schalke 04 - Feyenoord - 30/03/2005

Source : Getty images

Sp.Desamparados - San Martin de Mza - ??/03/2005

Source: http://www.spdesamparados.com.ar

Winning not losing causes football violence - 31/03/2005

Source : lse.co.uk

Football thugs are more likely to be violent at matches if their team wins rather than loses, a surprising new study shows.

Researchers who monitored international soccer and rugby games involving Wales found there were more assaults when the home team was victorious - and not the other way round.

Dr Vaseekaran Sjvarajasingam said: "These analyses suggest assault may not be the result of negative factors associated with a national team losing but the result of a positive event - winning."

He said a win may also boost levels of self confidence, assertiveness or patriotism - all of which might lead to violence.

Other research shows domestic violence is more likely when the male assailant's local team wins.

Winning is also likely to be associated with the celebratory downing of alcohol - a factor that is well known to increase the risk of violence, said Dr Sjvarajasingam.

The researchers whose findings are published in Injury Prevention analysed the numbers of people requiring emergency medical treatment for assault at the time of international rugby and football matches - both home and away - in the capital city of Cardiff.

With a population of 300,000, Cardiff is the largest city in Wales with the matches often attracting over 70,000 supporters.

Dr Sjvarajasingam and colleagues at Cardiff University tracked the number of assault cases presenting to the only emergency medicine department in Cardiff between May 1995 and April 2002 - about a mile from the Millennium stadium.

During this time 106 home and away games took place - 74 rugby and 32 football - and almost 27,000 assault cases required emergency treatment.

The researchers showed that whether the matches were home or away were irrelevant on the rates - it was the result that counted for fans, either watching live or on T.

On average 30 cases of assault required medical attention on the day of the match and the day after. Attendance peaked just before midnight on the day of the match.

On days when no match had been played the average number of assault cases fell to 21.

When Wales won the average number of assault injuries seen was 33 - when Wales lost the average dropped to 25.

Said Dr Sjvarajasingam: "At weekends the number of assault injuries was also around a third higher when matches were played than when there were no matches.

"Assault injury resulting in ED treatment was more frequent when national teams won than when they lost.
Sport type made no difference.

"Violence prevention efforts should be increased on international match days when the national team is expected to win, when match attendance is large - and for away as well as home matches."

OM - PSG : A brief history of hatred - 30/03/2005

Source : Channel4

France’s biggest rivalry will be renewed at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday, as Paris Saint-Germain travel south to play their sworn enemy Marseille.

It has been a disastrous season for PSG. They are out of the two domestic cups, suffered elimination in the Champions’ League group stage, sacked their Coach, and are currently lying 12th in Ligue 1.

Marseille, on the other hand, are doing relatively well. Revitalised by Coach Philippe Troussier, they are second only to three-times champions Lyon.

Yet it is the PSG fans who are enjoying the current bragging rights – the Parisians are looking for an incredible ninth consecutive victory over OM since the Vélodrome defeat in April 2001.

But why do two teams, 480 miles apart, hate each other so much?

The rivalry dates back to 1986 when PSG, under Coach Gérard Houllier, lifted their first ever championship title. A few days later, Bernard Tapie was elected President of OM.

Tapie (pictured here in January 1991) was a colourful character. A fervent socialist and former political advisor to France’s last President, François Mitterand, Tapie was brought up in a working-class area of Paris. Yet he grew to despise the capital’s top team - especially when, in 1991, they were bought by the French television network Canal +.

In the eyes of Tapie, PSG, who were only founded in 1970, had become the nouveau riche of French football.

But there is more to the rivalry than purely footballing matters. It has been linked to the much-talked-about Paris versus the rest of France struggle, and most people outside the capital - as well as the thousands of non-Parisians who live in Paris - will be backing Marseille on Sunday.

The derby also has a political edge to it, with Marseille traditionally representing the left wing and PSG the right. In the 1980s, the Parc des Princes became the favourite meeting place for right-wing extremists, especially in the Boulogne stand. Fans soon set up their own gangs, with many still thriving today, the most notorious being the 1000-strong Boulogne Boys.

The foundations for a rivalry were already there, and Tapie built on them.

In the days leading up to the clashes between the two teams, Tapie used to wind up the PSG players and fans with comments in the media - a tactic which ensured his popularity in Marseille, but led to tensions on the terraces.

First reports of violence between the two teams came in the early 90s. The hatred was fuelled by the success that Marseille were having on the pitch. They won five consecutive League championships between 1989 and 1993, though their 1993 crown and their 1993 Champions’ League title were stripped after Tapie was found guilty of match-fixing and sentenced to seven months imprisonment.

Marseille were relegated to the Second Division as punishment, but the damage had already been done.

Fast-forward over a few years of changeable form for both clubs, and the rivalry is as hotly-disputed as ever.

Earlier this season, the two teams met twice in four days. Tensions were high, especially as the first encounter saw the return to ‘le Parc’ of two former PSG players - Fabrice Fiorèse and last year’s captain Frédéric Déhu. Each time Fiorèse took a corner, he had to be protected from the showers of missiles by three policemen with riot shields.

Before the match had even started, the Marseille team bus was set upon by some PSG fans after the police escort vehicles had taken a wrong turn.

PSG came out of the two fixtures on top with two victories; 2-1 at home in the League, and 3-2 away in the Coupe de la Ligue. For the upcoming clash, bookmakers have made OM odds-on favourites, despite PSG’s outstanding recent record against their arch rivals.

Only one thing can be sure: the attention of the nation will once again be firmly fixed on the Stade Vélodrome this Sunday evening.


PSG hooligans attacked the police forces.

Wolverhampton: Nine in court after fans clash - 22/03/2005

Source: The Birmingham Post

Nine men accused of being part of a gang of football hooligans accused of a serious attack on four men have appeared in court.

The group, appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court, central London all charged with violent disorder after clashes following the game between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in London.

They were part of 17 people in total arrested by the Metropolitan Police working in a joint operation with West Midlands Police over the clashes in Leicester Square last October.

Amongst those detained was one woman - District Nurse Claire Evans, (36), from Bearwood, West Midlands - alleged to be at the centre of the incident in London's Leicester Square, Chris Badger, from the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court.

Evans, a lifelong Wolves supporter, is due to appear at Bow Street Magistrates Court on Thursday along with seven other men, all are charged with violent disorder.

All those involved in yesterday's brief hearing were released on conditional bail until May 16 for a committal hearing.

They were: Michael Evans (41) of Lawn Road, Wolverhampton; Steve Powner (32) of Old Hednesford Road, Cannock; James Hemmings (24) of High View Drive, Kingswinford; John Howe (35) of Bee Lane, Wolverhampton; Brendan Kelly (44) of Ambleside Close, Bilston; Lee Millard (19) of Hollywell Street, Wolverhampton; Stephen Pearce (21) of Arden Place, Bilston; Wayne Ratcliffe (39) of Biddlestone Place, Darlaston; Thomas Slater (20) of Hydes Road, Wednesbury.

Swindon: 17 arrests made after soccer fight - 26/03/2005

Source: Swindon Advertiser

17 arrests made after soccer fight

SEVENTEEN fans have been arrested in the biggest crackdown on Swindon Town football violence ever carried out by the area's police.

The fans, aged between 18 and 44 years, have been arrested in connection with disorder which erupted at the Swindon versus Bournemouth away game at Christmas.

Trouble flared just before kick-off as fans brawled in a busy shopping area near Bournemouth's Dean Court stadium.

The area was packed with Christmas shoppers, who watched in horror as pub windows were smashed and fans traded insults.

Most of the skirmishes ­ which involved around 40 supporters ­ were caught on CCTV cameras.

After studying the footage, football intelligence officers from Swindon managed to identify 17 alleged culprits.

In an unusual move, officers contacted all the suspects and told them to attend Swindon police station for questioning.

They all reported over two days last week, and were arrested and charged with public order offences.

A special custody suite was set up to quiz the men, who have been released on police bail and will appear before Bournemouth magistrates on April 12.

During the operation, described as the biggest carried out by both the Swindon and Bournemouth divisions, Swindon police worked closely with colleagues in the coastal town, who arrested six fans.

The Swindon supporters were among around 700 fans who travelled to Bournemouth for the game on December 18.

Football intelligence officer PC James Neighbour, of Swindon police, vowed to root out hooligans.

"The vast majority of Swindon fans are law abiding, but we want to rid the club of those who act in an anti-social manner," he said.

"These people let the club and the town down.

"This has been a big operation for us, and we have spent many hours poring over the CCTV footage."

The clashes in Bournemouth surprised many.

While Swindon's enmity with Oxford United and Bristol City is well known, there is no history of rivalry with Bournemouth.

Swindon does not have a reputation for football thugs.

But a number of STFC fans are believed to be members of a hooligan group called the SAS ­ Swindon Active Service.

The group's website features adverts for DVDs containing footage of fights between rival `firms'­ hooligan gangs associated to clubs. The worst violence prior to the disorder in Bournemouth happened in 2002 before a game against Hereford at the County Ground.

Three Swindon fans were jailed and three more were given community punishment orders.

PC Neighbour said hooliganism was a way of life for some fans.

"Most work hard during the week, and it is a way of letting off steam," he said.

"Often it doesn't come to blows, they enjoy the buzz of organising confrontations."

He is hoping magistrates will take out banning orders on any fans found guilty.

These would ban them from all football matches in the country and stop them travelling abroad for matches.

The suspects

A 35-year-old man from central Swindon.


A 33-year-old man from Stratton.


A 43-year-old man from Eldene.


An 18-year-old man from Semington near Melksham.


A 37-year-old man from Walcot.


A 28-year-old man from Chippenham.


A 44-year-old man from Devizes.


A 38-year-old man from Highworth.


A 25-year-old man from Stratton.


A 29-year-old man from Liden.


A 31-year-old man from Wroughton.


A 24-year-old man from Chiseldon.


A 22-year-old man from Wanborough.


A 26-year-old man from Swindon.


A 36-year-old man from Devizes.


A 29-year-old man from Swindon.


A 38-year-old man from Swindon

Poland: Ruch Wysokie Mazowiecki - Lomza - 26/03/2005

Source: Lomza website

SFA in warning to clubs over missiles - 17/03/2005

Source : The Scotsman

CELTIC and Hearts have escaped any punishment for the missile-throwing incidents which occurred at their recent home matches against Rangers. The SFA have instead chosen to issue a warning to all clubs in Scotland to increase their efforts to ensure spectators are discouraged from such behaviour.

Fernando Ricksen, the Rangers captain, required stitches in a head wound when he was struck by a coin towards the end of his team’s 2-0 victory at Parkhead on 20 February. A cigarette lighter was among the fusillade of missiles thrown at the Dutch international from a section of the Celtic support as he prepared to take a corner kick.

At the controversial SPL fixture between Hearts and Rangers at Tynecastle on 2 March, coins were thrown at the match officials and home midfielder Paul Hartley was also struck by a missile.

In addition, the fourth official was spat upon. While UEFA policy is to come down hard on such incidents, from hefty fines to ordering matches to be played behind closed doors, the SFA’s disciplinary committee have chosen to adopt a far softer line in the belief that both Celtic and Hearts had taken all reasonable security measures possible.

"The committee has become very concerned at the number of reports on spectator incidents this season," said an SFA spokesman. "In particular, the incidence of coin-throwing has been a recurring feature. While the committee acknowledges the security arrangements put in place and the pre-planning carried out by clubs to ensure that matches are played in an orderly and safe manner, nonetheless incidents at matches do occur.

"The committee has requested clubs to take all possible measures to convey to supporters the unacceptability and senselessness of behaviour such as coin-throwing, spitting on match officials and coming on to the field of play. In essence, the committee is appealing to clubs to do as much as possible to root these problems out of the game. However, any club which develops a history of incidents will be at risk of having a sanction imposed."

Malmö FF - FC Copenhague - 17/03/2005

Source : pppress.se

At 6pm, police have escorted to the stadium a mob of 200 danish hooligans who were in the city center.






At 9.30pm, police found batons in a building near the stadium.
Police said 15 local hooligans waited danish supporters to ambush them.



Cinq hooligans de Malmö ont été contrôlés par la police vers 23 heures. Ils étaient porteurs de protège-dents.



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Source : gfx.aftonbladet-cdn.se

A severe brawl erupted in Malmo, opposing 170 local hooligans, including 60 to 70 locals to the coalition FC Copenhagen (70) - Helsingborg, arch-rivals of Malmo FF.
Police local speakern Henrik Qvist, said, everything was planned between both sides.
The fight occured near a large shops area, near the train station. With this place, it was easy for hooligans to ran away from a police intervention.
The fight took continued for several minutes before a police intervention, 10 minutes after the beginning of the brawl.




Translation Underground Fans (c)