Season 04/05 - December

Pisa - Novara - 09/10/04

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport

Three people were arrested, 20 other denunced, some vehicles damaged and 30 people injured, including 23 police forces members.

Security increased for Vasco match - 10/12/04

Source: Reuters

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has requested extra security for championship leaders Atletico Paranaense's visit to relegation-threatened Vasco da Gama on Sunday.

The CBF said it had contacted the police and fire brigade about the match which is considered high risk.

'The CBF...asked that measures be taken to guarantee the safety of the fans and all the people involved in the game, inside and outside Sao Januario,' a statement on its website said.

Paranaense are two points ahead of Santos with two games to play and could wrap up their second title in three years if they win and Santos fail to beat Sao Caetano.

Vasco, 16th and only three points away from the relegation zone, have not won in their last six outings.

Their Sao Januario stadium, surrounded by shanty towns, has been the scene of a number of incidents.

The most serious was during the final of the Brazilian championship in 2000 when more than 70 fans were hurt after a fence collapsed.

The club wanted the game to continue but the Rio de Janeiro state government intervened and ordered the match to be abandoned.

Last year, Vasco were given a three-match home ban after a group of supporters invaded the coach of opponents Coritiba and attacked the players.

In 1997, a South American Supercup match against Argentina's River Plate was abandoned in the second half as fans pelted a linesman with stones and firecrackers.

Paranaense were involved in an incident three years ago when police banned them from taking the field in a row over the kickoff time.

Arras - AS Nancy - cup - 10/12/04

Source: forums + mails

Twenty-six Lille lads (only 6 old faces) took the road of Arras with the aim to attack Nancy lads.
As rumours announced these venue, arch Lille rivals from Lens decided to met up with 27 top lads.
Finally, a good fair fight took place for 5 minutes. Two Lens lads were transfered to hospital as one from Lille.
On Lille side, 12 lads were also arrested.

FC Metz - RC Strasbourg - 11/12/04

Source: AFP

Six Strasbourg fans were arrested during this derby. For of them tried to enter the stadium without tickets, another threw a firecracker and the last one attacked a steward.

Football violence images released - 15/12/04

Source : BBC NEWS

Police have released pictures of people they want to question about violence that flared at a football match.

Five people have already been banned from games for their part in the violence at Middlesbrough's Uefa cup tie in the Czech Republic in September.

But officers from the Cleveland Police Intelligence Unit want to talk to 11 further suspects who were caught on CCTV at the game against Banik Ostrava.

In the last year, the unit has ensured 55 fans received banning orders.


Trouble in the Czech Republic flared just minutes before kick-off and riot police had to be called.

They had to deal with a running battle between around 200 fans and a number of seats were ripped up.

'Scenes of violence

Det Insp Rob Donaghy of Cleveland Police said: "Everybody who saw the violence would have been as appalled as I was.

"The vast majority of fans who went there were law-abiding and wanted to support the team.

"But there was a small number intent on causing trouble and the scenes of violence were disgraceful."

In November, David P****, 40, and Nigel Mc M*****, 36, both of Middlesbrough, were caught on police video trading punches with Banik Ostrava fans and given three-year bans.

In October, Gary D*******, 33, of Thornaby and Mark J******, 36, of Redcar, were given three year banning orders for causing trouble at the same match.

A fifth fan, John H***, 39, of Middlesbrough, was given a two-and-a-half year banning order.

According to police most hooligans are working men aged between 20 and 50, who are usually respectable and married, but just "snap" at matches.

De Villepin pledges crackdown on soccer violence- 17/12/04

Source : SI.com

Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin promised Friday to help French soccer eradicate violence inside stadiums.
Giving more power to referees -- including stopping a match if serious trouble erupts -- making plain clothes police officers mingle with fans and introducing banning orders for hooligans were among his proposals.

"The present situation is not satisfactory,'' de Villepin said, addressing reporters at the Interior Ministry. "We are ready to go right to the end to make things better.''

He was flanked by Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour, French soccer federation president Claude Simonet, French soccer league president Frederic Thiriez and Paris Saint-Germain president Francis Graille.

All parties pledged a united front in stamping out violence.

"Football is the most popular sport in this country,'' Lamour said. "We cannot let it breach the rules laid down by the Republic.

"We have all the tools necessary to get rid of the crazy minority turning a party into a nightmare.''

De Villepin's proposals center around prevention, increasing security and modernizing techniques for stewards and police officers.

Perpetrators of violence can already be identified and banned from stadiums. But new measures would involve an offender showing up at his local police station on the day of a match -- a method used successfully in England.

Lists of those under banning orders would be circulated to soccer clubs and police stations across the country, as well as the sport's French governing bodies.

By allowing plain clothes officers to mix with fans, perpetrators could be spotted and ejected more quickly, de Villepin said, adding that stewards need "much better training''.

Busses containing visiting fans would be subject to more stringent checks on the way to stadiums and smoke bombs would be banned.

"Right now, they (smoke bombs) are being sold outside stadiums. This has to be stopped,'' de Villepin said.

The ultimate power in controlling a match, however, could rest with referees.

Both Lamour and de Villepin said referees should be given the chance to stop a game if violence becomes too threatening.

Such a situation could involve spectators throwing objects at players when they are taking corners or fighting among themselves in the stands.

"The referee must be able to whistle for the end of the match immediately,'' Lamour said.

However, Lamour did not say how to deal with troublemakers starting violence on purpose in order to have a match postponed or abandoned -- for example, if their team is losing.

If some matches are replayed at a later date, this places a huge burden on match-scheduling. National and international coaches are already unhappy at the number of games teams have to play.

French soccer has been hit by a rising tide of violence.

Matches involving PSG are notably high-risk and fighting -- organized in advance between hooligan groups -- broke out before Champions League games against Chelsea and CSKA Moscow.

The violence did not take place inside Parc des Princes, meaning the potential for serious trouble outside stadiums is a serious menace. The problem could disappear from public view but go underground.

When Marseille -- PSG'S most bitter rival -- visited in November, a rock was thrown through the window of Marseille's team bus, narrowly missing the driver's head.

Around 1,500 police officers were mobilized for the match, at a cost of more than ?400,000 (US$530,000).

"All the difficulties we have at Parc des Princes with 40,000 fans every two weeks are obvious,'' Graille said. "I finally get the impression I've been listened to. I am optimistic things can be calmed down.''

FC Basel - Feyenoord Rotterdam - 16/12/04

Source: Le Matin

Vandalism at the end of the game: 50 arrests

Dutch supporters caused damages prior to the game opposing FC Basel to Feyeoord Rotterdam. Many shops of the city centre were damaged. A fight also occured. Police forces arrested 50 hooligans.
Some drunkeness fans from the 500 Feyenoord contingent started to make disturbances in the city centre during the journey. Shops windows were smashed up.
Everything became nasty at 5pm when it was impossible to sell beers inside the Pickwick Pub. Angry fans became mental and caused troubles. A person was injured.
At 6pm a violent fight erupted.

Lorient - Brest - 16/12/04

Source: mail (Allez Brest - Le Télégramme)

Local police forces made arrests at the end of this derby. These arrets were made when the 600 angry Brest fans damaged the gates and fought with local stewards. One of them and a policeman were injured.
Two fans were arrested.

Ferencvaros TC - Hearts of Midlothian - 16/12/04

Source: ITK

A fight erutped, opposing 20 Scottish to 40 Hungarians. About 20 of these last ones stood their ground and were smashed up.

Paris SG - FC Metz - 18/12/04

Source: AFP

The game was stopped for a few minutes when locals angry fans trew firecrackers onto the pitch.
These PSG fans were angry about their manager.
Scuffles also erupted, opposing fans to french CRS.

Juventus Turin - Milan AC - 18/12/2004

Source : ANSA

Riots erupted, opposing Juventus fans to police forces, just outside the stadium. Missiles were threw at police forces who used teargas to restore order.

Lyra - KV Mechelen - 19/12/04

Source: forums + mail

For this game, KVM lads had an appointmen with their rivals from SK Lierse.
At 1pm, the Mechelen group took place inside a pub.
On their side, the situation was the same for about 30 Lierse lads who waited at their pub.
Finally, KVM lads (25) took the direction of the Lierse pub, where no policemen were situated.
In front of it, Lierse lads went outside for a dance.
After a while, about 10 visitors stood their ground.
That's the first time Lierse lads take an advantage on their rivals.

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

Mechelen stand in front of the pub. When we wanted to leave they used chairs and umbrellas. When there were no chairs anymore, Lierse stormed out of the pub and chased Mechelen lads. Some of them stood their ground but main part ran away. One Mechelen lad had to go to the hospital.

Leeds United - Millwall FC - 19/12/2004

Source : Millwall lad view

We arrived at Leeds station at about 11.45 and was kept in there for a good half hour. We were on the blower and both agreed nothing was going to happen until we reached the boozer. We were told you had 150 game boys by this stage, we had nearer 200.

Nothing happened till we reached the ground on the buses that took us. Millwall kicked out a window but the Leeds alongside us didn't want to know, and to be honest they seemed like scarfers.

At full time I fully expected us to be kept in for fuck knows how long, I was amazed when they let us out and there was not one old bill in sight. Some of the best toe to toe fighting I have seen in this country for 15 years proceeded to happen for at least a minute and a half before any old bill arrived on the scene. I took a whack on my right temple which I didn't see coming and knocked me down and dazed. Cheers to the geezer who continued to beat the shit out of me whilst on the deck - merry christmas! . By the time I got up horses were on the scene and they pushed us back down into the stand and up the other end of the ground.

I wanted revenge, as you do, and as we got up the stairs we saw that Leeds had a mob outside the Peacock. By this time we had a good firm altogether instead of little pockets, we charged at old bill and those outside the Peacock ran into the car park and old bill managed to hold us.

Unfortunately that was that. On the phone all the way to the station and when we arrived we saw Leeds running round the back of the station but old bill must have wrapped you up.

Woke up today nursing a very bad headache but it was fantastic day. Good show by both clubs and all in all Leeds had the upper hand. You were very organised and when we come out in terms of boys we were all over the place. Mates of mine didn't think anything had happened till we left the other exit!

Roll on March and more of the same

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

FA probes Leeds violence

Source : TEAMtalk

The Football Association will investigate the violence that blighted the Championship match between Leeds and Millwall.

West Yorkshire Police made 10 arrests after the 1-1 draw at Elland Road, where riot police were called to quell fighting that broke out inside the stadium shortly after the final whistle.
There were also problems outside the ground, with reports of violence between rival supporters at Leeds railway station.

"We are making inquiries into what happened," confirmed an FA spokesman. "We will speak to police about the incidents.

"Some of the incidents appear to have occurred outside the ground, in which case they would not fall under our jurisdiction."

A tense atmosphere was made worse when Jody Morris - who had an unhappy eight-month spell at Leeds last season - equalised with an 86th-minute penalty.

Morris, who had been goaded by the Leeds fans throughout, responded to his goal by running 70 yards with one hand cupped over his ear in a mocking gesture to the home supporters.

Fan was 'catalyst for violence' - 10/12/2004

Source : BBC news

A Liverpool fan who was the "catalyst" for crowd trouble at Millwall's New Den ground has admitted affray.

James H******* was sitting among Millwall fans at the south-east London ground when rival fans started chanting about the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

The 19-year-old punched a man in the face and shouted "Liverpool," Greenwich magistrates' court heard on Friday.

H*******, of Rosalind Way, Kirkdale, Liverpool, was granted bail. Four other Liverpool fans deny violent disorder.

They are James G******, 26, of Thirlmere Green, Anfield, Liverpool; Gary W***, 23, of Rishton Street, Anfield; Anthony P*******, 41, of Hawkhurst Close, Dingle, Liverpool and James Mc N****, 22, of Manningham Road, Liverpool.
They were also granted bail.

The court had heard that H******* had sat among the Millwall fans because there were no seats left in the Liverpool section for October's Carling Cup game, which Liverpool won 3-0.

Tiziana Charles, prosecuting, said: "Mr H******* has pleaded guilty to a charge of affray but he was the catalyst of the whole incident of violent disorder on 26 October.

"The Millwall fans started chanting with reference to the Hillsborough disaster, intimating that all Liverpool fans should have died on that occasion.

"Mr H******* took exception to that and was caught on CCTV punching a Millwall fan."

'Intense atmosphere'

He was then chased by rival fans and beaten up before fighting erupted between the opposing supporters and seats were ripped up and thrown.

Carolina Guiloff, defending, said Mr H******* had been upset by the taunts about the disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.

She added: "This was a match where the atmosphere was so intense.

"There were taunts and chanting and spitting before this defendant became upset in reaction to the very emotive Hillsborough chanting."

H******* was granted conditional bail. He will be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court at a later date.

Two charged over Millwall clash - 14/12/2004

Source : BBC news

Two men have been charged with violent disorder following an alleged clash at Millwall FC's ground.

It follows an incident during the match between Millwall and Liverpool at the Den, in south-east London, on 26 October.

Scott S*******, 20, of Balborough Street, New Cross, south-east London, and Michael N***, 22, of Hunsdon Road, also in New Cross, have been bailed.

The two men will appear at Greenwich magistrates on Friday.

Football riot man given game ban - 20/12/2004

Source : BBC news

A Lincs man has been banned from attending football matches for five years for his role in riots in Boston during the summer.

Paul R*****, 45, of Fishtoft Road, was among dozens of people who took to the streets after England's defeat against France at Euro 2004 in June.

Lincoln Crown court heard Revell threw a bottle at a police officer and tried to get through a police cordon.

He admitted violent disorder and was also given community punishment.

Sparta Rotterdam - Go Ahead Eagles Deventer - ??/12/2004

Source: mail

15 youngster of Dutch-side Go Ahead Eagles travelled by train to Rotterdam, for the match against local Sparta Rotterdam.

Before kick off both firms held contact by mobile phone and they arranged to meet at the back of Rotterdam Central Station.
The 35 up to 40 lads of Sparta's SYC, gathered at the back of the Station just before Eagles would arrive.

As promised Eagles came out of the trainstation, in spite of their minority, and Sparta attacked them. For about one minute, Eagles stood firm and resist well.
Due to their minority Eagles had to do more and more steps back, but they still fought and stood firm, untill they we're pushed back into the train station by the Sparta mob.
For whom was this the signal to start their final attack, which resulted in the fact that Eagles had to run.

This is no shame at all, because due to their minority they came to Rotterdam. Credits for that!!

At the end credits for both parties.

Levski Sofia - Panatinaikos Athens - Volleyball - 15/12/2004

Source: REEH

Levski fans smash the greeks.After the end of the game,about 50 bulgarian ultras attack the Pao fans[about 100].Result was: some broken heads of Panatinaikos fans and one stollen banner

Police warning over derby fixture - 29/12/2004

Source : BBC news

Football hooligans causing trouble at a local derby will face banning orders, Humberside Police have warned.
Wednesday night's game between League Two rivals
Lincoln City and Grimsby Town will be heavily policed.
The mid-table clash is the first time the clubs have met in the league since 1989 and the fixture has been given a 'high risk' status.
The match is due to kick off at 7.45pm and officers will be deployed around the Sincil Bank ground.

SC Kriens - FC Sion - 05/12/2004

Source : SIONSUPPORTERS

Ferencváros - FC Basel - 01/12/2004

Source : NB1 website

England: Soccer yob loses jail term appeal - 23/12/2004

Source: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

A SOCCER fan who helped arrange two minutes of mayhem on a South London railway station has failed to win a cut in his jail term.

Respectable Stephen Openshaw, who has a degree in civil engineering and worked for one of the UK's biggest house builders, pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court earlier this year to conspiracy to commit violent disorder.

The 31-year-old of Wenlock Road, Leigh, received a two-year prison term for helping to orchestrate the violence between Southampton and Charlton fans in April 2002.

His legal team argued that it was "manifestly excessive", telling three judges at London's Court of Appeal he has lost his job as a result of what happened.

But Mr Justice Douglas Brown, who heard the case with Lord Justice Rose and Mr Justice Mackay, said tough sentences were called for to deter other potential hooligans.

Describing the plot as "evil" he added that Bolton Wanderers fan Openshaw passed on the phone number of organiser David Walker - a teacher at a Birmingham school - to one of the Charlton fans.

The violence had been hatched after hooligans visited a website and arranged when and where to meet up.

Mr Justice Brown said the roots of the incident arose out of unplanned violence five months before. A group of Charlton fans where attacked when their team played an away game at Southampton in November 2001, and a "re-match" was arranged for Maze Hill station, South London.

The station was two stops before Charlton's ground, added the judge, and was chosen because the organisers knew there would be no police present. Dubbed "The Battle of Maze Hill", the violence saw more than 40 men fighting, some of them armed with glass bottles.

Although incident lasted just a few minutes, three Southampton fans were knocked unconscious and members of the public feared for their safety and suffered "prolonged fear and revulsion."

Blackburn: More fans on race charge - 08/12/2004

Source: http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk

THREE more Blackburn football fans have been arrested and charged with racially abusing Dwight Yorke during a football match at Ewood last month.

Police spent almost three weeks looking at CCTV footage and Sky videos of the game to identify the men who were captured on film taunting the ex-Rovers star.

Shaun Baxter, 35, of Belper Street, Blackburn and neighbours Andrew Roberts, 19, and Brian Hargreaves, 20, of Arran Avenue in Blackburn, were arrested at their homes last night.

The three were charged with a racially aggressive public order offence and were bailed to appear before Blackburn magistrates tomorrow.

Yorke, who is of West Indian origin, said he was upset by fans doing monkey impersonations he warmed up on the touchline nearby during the 3-3 draw between Rovers and Birmingham City.

Yorke confronted some fans before stewards led one away. The Trinidad and Tobago international later complained about the incident which led to the police investigation.

A fortnight ago 22-year-old Jason Perryman, from Lawson Street, Chorley, was banned from football grounds for five years after pleading guilty to racially abusing Yorke during the game on Sunday, November 21.

A second man, from Leyland, charged in connection with an alleged incident is due to appear before Blackburn magistrates on December 22.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "We have been looking at CCTV and Sky video footage and have identified three further men.

"Three arrests were made last night at their home addresses."

The incident followed widespread racist abuse levelled at England players in last month's clash with Spain.

After the Ewood Park match Lancashire Police said the incident had left an "unpleasant taste" but stressed the behaviour of Rovers fans in general over the years had been extremely good.

FA charges Liverpool and Millwall - 09/12/2004

Source : BBC News

Liverpool and Millwall have been charged by the Football Association over crowd trouble during their Carling Cup match on 26 October.

Millwall, who lost the match 3-0, are the first club to be charged by the FA over racist behaviour by their fans.

The disciplinary action relates to alleged abuse aimed at Liverpool's French defender Djimi Traore.

In addition, four people were ejected from Millwall's stadium, seats were thrown and a disabled fan was injured.

As a result, Millwall have been charged with failing to ensure that fans refrained from racist and/or abusive behaviour and for failing to prevent spectators throwing missiles onto the pitch.

The news has staggered Lions chairman Theo Paphitis, who said: "God knows what the FA are up to.

"There was never any indication of racist abuse being brought into the discussions.

"The charges are completely ridiculous and we'll see what evidence the FA has got to back them up.

"It just seems like the FA is a rudderless-ship at the moment and is seeking publicity for its own aim. Racism is too important a subject to use to point score."

Liverpool have been charged with one breach for failing to prevent their fans conducting themselves in threatening and/or violent and/or provocative behaviour.

The Anfield side's fans claimed the trouble was sparked by Millwall supporters' chants about the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 people were crushed to death in April 1989.

But Lions chairman Theo Paphitis has denied this and said CCTV footage showed the catalyst for the trouble was a Liverpool fan attacking a Millwall fan in the west stand.

Both clubs have until 23 December to respond to the charges.

Hajduk Split - Dinamo Zagreb - 05/12/2004

Source : Mail