Season 06/07 - October

Crystal Palace - Cardiff City - 14/10/2006

Source: http://www.freewebs.com/bluebirds_casual

We left on the train early on with around 40 lads, mainly older with around 10 youth. We arrived at Paddington around 10am and walked straight past the OB. As we left the station we noticed the OB starting to trail us, so the older SC went off in one direction and youth in another. The OB took us to a boozer not far from Paddington.

We got a call saying the older SC were in a boozer in Victoria, so we all slipped off in 2s and 3s to get taxi's. Myself and 3 others got a tube to Paddington, which proved to be alot cheaper and faster. We got to the pub in Victoria and settled down. More and more lads came and by around 12 we had 70 good lads. The plan from here was to go to Thornton Heath and look for Palace. Some of the boys in said boozer thought it was too early to leave and stayed, as around 20 or so left to get the train to Thornton Heath.

We got to Thornton Heath and were greeted by hundreds of Cardiff fans all over. We made our way down the boozers untill we reached the last one. Two of our youth had gone for a look and found Palaces pub with no OB. Around 10 of us made our way down there. As we reached the pub we could see OB had beaten us to it, with a good 70 Palace wrapped up inside. One of our lads got pulled for his language and eventually he was released and we were given our marching orders.

We walked down a road, and as we neared the bottom we saw 7 Palace. One of them shouted over "Cam on then Caaadiff", but didn't even get involved when it went off. Palace's first lad to run in was brushed aside and the next one took quite a slapping. I couldn't believe it, 7 Palace and only 4 got involved, with the rest standing on the pavement watching like fucking goons. This went on for no longer than 10 seconds before OB turned up and nicked 2 Cardiff. The Cardiff who went to the game were put in the home end by the cuntish OB, who thought it'd be a good idea to take them around to the Cardiff end as they started making noise. The 2 nicked were charged with Disorderly Conduct and Threatening Behaviour and had to go to Court twice before being found NOT GUILTY!

Kujawiak Włocławek - Zawisza Bydgoszcz - 01/10/2006

Source: forum

Argentina: policemen injured - 01/10/2006

Source: belgian press

Five policemen were injured and nine people arrested during violences opposing police forces to a group of Lanus supporters at the Ezeiza airport as they were turning back to a game in Sao Paulo for the south-american cup.

Colon Santa Fé - Newell's Old Boys - 01/10/2006

Source: EFE

The game was stopped for a few minutes as thousands Newell's supporters fought with police forces.
Newell's fans tried to enter Colon terraces and police forces tried to avoid this action.
Nine people were injured and one of them so seriously as police used rubber bullets against troublemakers who stopped the game for 7 minutes.




Vidéo :
http://www.26noticias.com.ar/index.php?p=notadetalle&pp=index&idNota=22962

Sestao - Gernika - 01/10/2006

Source: local press

Policeman injured

At the end of the game troubles occured when Gernika fans came back to their coach.
Police forces made an intervention and some people were injured, including a policeman.

FC Copenhagen - Brondby IF - 01/10/2006

Source: Ansa+Danish newspapers

About 100 arrests were made in Copenhagen as violent troubles erupted for this derby game.
Peole were arrested at the end of the game.
Troubles started inside the stadium when a Brondby player was sent off.
Brondby fans threw missiles at locals and policemen.
Troubles continued outside the stadium.

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

At least 100 people were arrested Sunday evening in Copenhagen for going on a rampage during a Danish First Division football match between local rivals FC Copenhagen and Brondby Kopenhagen IF, DPA reported Monday.

Football hooligans from both camps led street battles in Copenhagen's `Parken' district.

Rioting Brondby fans also caused serious material damage inside the stadium.

Danish police had already taken 47 fans into protective custody ahead of the local football derby.

Dinamo Bucarest - Rapid Bucarest - 01/10/2006

Source: gsp.ro

After the 3rd local goal Rapid fans opened the gates and entered the pitch.
Locals also invaded the pitch to fight their rivals.

Hajduk Split - Dinamo Zagreb - 02/10/2006

Hooligans rampage after derby

Source : Agence France-Presse

THIRTY-nine football fans were detained overnight by police after violent clashes following the 2-2 draw between top flight rivals Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb, police said.
One of the troublemakers is suspected of injuring a police officer who was hit by a stone in the head, while the others were detained for drunkenness and possession of flares.

The hooligans also broke a window on a city bus.

No end in sight to Argentine football violence - 03/10/2006

Source : REÜTERS

There is probably nothing in the sporting world which can compare to the crowd at an Argentine football match.

The flags, the firecrackers and non-stop chanting make the atmosphere at even Europe's most intimidating venues - such as Galatasaray's 'Hell' in Istanbul - look like a vicar's tea party in comparison.

With masses of standing fans crammed behind towering fences topped with barbed wire, most Argentine stadiums resemble Europe from the 1970s and 1980s, before the advent of all-seater stadiums.

The fervour and fanaticism come with a high price, however, and Argentine domestic football is among the most violent in the world.

Last weekend's action was fairly typical as two first division games were interrupted by crowd violence and one in the third division was suspended when a firecracker temporarily deafened the visiting coach.

The season is only nine weeks old and has already seen two first division games abandoned because of crowd violence and one because of alleged threats to the referee.

One week into the season, a riot forced the suspension of Godoy Cruz's game at home to Arsenal at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, a city usually associated with fine wines and snow-capped Andean peaks rather than football hooligans.

It should have been an afternoon of celebration as Godoy Cruz, in the top flight for the first time in their 85-year history, played their debut home match in the first division.

Yet the game lasted just 17 minutes before the referee stopped play as fans clashed with riot police on the terraces and tear gas blew across the field.

Godoy Cruz's so-called barras bravas - organised groups of hardcore supporters - were furious after the home club refused their demands for free transport to all games, hundreds of free tickets per match and donations from the players' wages.

River Plate's barras were suspecting of being involved one week later when players' cars were vandalised after the team had lost 3-2 to Racing Club.

The following day, club president Jose Maria Aguilar said he had received death threats but immediately played them down.

'Sadly, when you're involved in this type of activity the threats became a habitual companion,' he said.

On Sept. 10, referee Daniel Gimenez suspended Gimnasia La Plata's game at home to Boca Juniors, saying the president of the host team had threatened him in the dressing room.

Gimnasia president Juan Jose Munoz admitted talking to Gimenez but denied making threats, though he has since gone on leave until the Argentina Football Association (AFA) decide what action to take.

The following week, Colon's match at home to Velez Sarsfield was abandoned before halftime when a linesman was hit by a cigarette lighter thrown from the crowd.

The perpetrator was attacked by the supporters around him before being arrested and given a life ban by the club.

This was a rare case of tough action being taken against a supporter.

The clubs and the AFA are often criticised for treating the barras bravas with kid gloves.

The AFA has been reluctant to dock points from clubs over the behaviour of supporters, a solution which many feel would reduce the violence, and dithers over taking any action at all.

So far, no decision has been made by the AFA on any of the three first division matches which were interrupted.

Sometimes in the past the championship has been long finished before the AFA has finally made a decision on games which had been suspended.

Huracan, relegated to the second division in July 2003, made the briefest of returns to the top flight four months later to finish a match which had been suspended before they had gone down.

After months of indecision, the AFA ruled that their game against Olimpo, which had been scoreless when play was stopped in the 74th minute, should be finished and the teams played two halves of eight minutes.

The real trouble, however, goes on in the lower divisions.

On Sept. 12, service on one of Buenos Aires's busiest suburban railway lines was interrupted when fans of Claypole and Argentino de Quilmes clashed on a train after a game in Primera D, the fifth division.

Three carriages were destroyed, 15 people were injured, including three seriously, and there were 88 arrests.

A week earlier, Claypole's ground had been the scene of more violence when fans from both teams scaled the perimeter fence and fought a pitched battle on the field, forcing the players to flee.

Even the corner flags were used as weapons as fans kicked and punched each other while the players hid in the dressing rooms.

The match had been played on a Monday afternoon instead of in the evening - as a security precaution.

Hooligan havoc as 100 clash - 03/10/2006

Source : Oxford Mail + York News

Residents of an Oxford estate that was the scene of a battle between football hooligans hold the key to more arrests.

Police last night appealed to the residents of Blackbird Leys to come forward and name the thugs behind Saturday's violence.

The clashes took place after Oxford United had beaten York City 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium. More than 100 fans from both sides were throwing bottles and glasses at each other near the Blackbird pub in Blackbird Leys Road.

Officers believe the fights, which were broken up by police with batons, were planned by known football hooligans - and said it was fortunate no passers-by had been hurt.

Oxford's football intelligence officer Dc Huw James said: "It was sheer luck that no-one in the area - a member of the public - was affected by it. It must have been a truly shocking scene for anyone passing by."

Football liaison officer Dc Steve Norman was one of the first officers on the scene.

He said: "There were certainly a lot of members of the public walking through or driving through. I would like to have an independent member of the public's view of what took place.

"When we arrived on the scene we were confronted by two groups of football supporters. They were all up for a fight. It was only because we had our batons out that we prevented them meeting each other - we had to use force."

Dc Norman said officers on the ground alerted the police helicopter, which flew above the scene recording what was going on below.

After the match, police arrested four York City fans for public disorder offences after a window was smashed at the Priory pub in Grenoble Road.

Two were released on police bail and are due to report back to police later this month, while the other two were issued with fixed penalty notices.

Dc Norman added: "The investigation is on-going and there will be more arrests from both sides."

Trevor Lambert, chairman of supporters' club OxVox, is disappointed with the violence.

He said: "It sounds quite serious - there's no place in football for that kind of behaviour.

"This sort of thing is very much the exception and not the rule. It can obviously damage the name of the fans as a whole or the club."

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

McEwan warns off hooligans

Billy McEwan has issued another stay away plea to those passing themselves off as York City fans to cause trouble at matches.

Three arrests were made in Oxford after altercations between about 40 York followers' and home fans during and after the 2-0 defeat.

Police had to intervene with horses, dogs and riot vans and City boss McEwan is worried the trouble will hit the club where it hurts most - in their pockets.

continued...
He said: "I was disappointed about the result after the game but I was also disappointed to hear about the trouble outside the ground. I'm afraid they are not what you would call proper City fans.

"We are having enough problems with police charges. York don't need to be the name of the club where the police have got to move in - we are going to end up paying the police charges.

"We could do without the trouble from the fans. It's only a minute few that are causing it but it's enough to cause us a bit of concern."

Zaragoza face punishment after racist chants - 03/10/2006

Source: Reuters

Real Zaragoza face censure again after a Levante player was subjected to racist abuse from fans during their Primera Liga match on Sunday.


Referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes, in his match report, said he heard monkey chants being directed at a Levante player.

"I asked the local match delegate to apply the protocol (to make an announcement over the PA system asking fans to stop) and did not hear the sounds again," he said.

It is not the first time such incidents have occurred at Zaragoza's stadium.

Two seasons ago Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o was greeted by monkey chants and had peanuts thrown at him by Zaragoza fans after he scored a goal.

In February Real Betis's Brazilian striker Robert was racially abused and later in the same month Eto'o was again the target.

Eto'o tried to leave the pitch during the second half but was persuaded to continue by coach Frank Rijkaard and his team mates.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who had previously fined Zaragoza a standard 600 euros ($713.6) for such cases, imposed a 9,000 euro ($10,728) fine on the club, after the second Eto'o incident.

After the fine, Zaragoza said it would track down those responsible for the acts and would implement a programme to combat racism in their stadium.

The Spanish government has committed itself to taking a hard line on racism in football, after a rise in the number of incidents of abuse directed at players in recent seasons.

A week ago the government-run Anti-violence commission asked the RFEF to investigate racist chants from the crowd in the Primera Liga match between Celta Vigo and Barcelona, despite the referee making no mention of it in his report.

Germany's Asamoah berates Rostock's racist fans - 02/10/2006

Source: Reuters

Germany striker Gerald Asamoah, who faced racist chants from fans at a German cup match in the eastern city of Rostock last month, said racist supporters had ruined the country's image abroad.

'Many people abroad associate Germany with racism,' the 27-year-old Schalke 04 and national player told Kicker soccer magazine. 'The World Cup astounded the world that the Germans could be different. Even the people of Ghana were pleased.'

The German football association (DFB) fined Hansa Rostock's regional league side 20,000 euros ($25,410) last month after their fans chanted racist slogans at Asamoah, a German national who emigrated to Germany as a child.

'Now these monkey noises mean that people in Africa have that image of Germany again which was around before the World Cup. These idiots have done that,' he said, in comments published on the magazine's website on Monday.

'They are people who have not moved with the times.'

The player suffered a double fracture to his leg last week during his team's UEFA Cup defeat by Nancy. His injuries are likely to keep him out of action for months.

Racism has been in the spotlight in the east of Germany. The far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) won parliamentary seats last month in an election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state where Rostock is located.

German federation appeals to fans ahead of Slovakia match - 04/10/2006

Source : dpa German Press Agency

Berlin- The German Football Federation (DFB) called on Slovakian officials Wednesday not to sell tickets to German fans in Bratislava ahead of next week's Euro 2008 qualifier. The DFB also called on German fans to help prevent troublemakers instigating violence at the match.

Violent German fans clashed with police when Germany played in Slovakia in September last year. Six people were injured and two German hooligans arrested.

DFB media director Harald Stenger: "We are making the urgent request to Slovakia not to sell tickets to German supporters."

The German federation is as usual selling match tickets to national team fan club members and members of fan projects.

A DFB security expert has travelled to Slovakia to discuss cooperation and measures needed to combat potential hooliganism at the match.

In March 2005, German fans had also been involved in rioting in Slovenia, with police arresting dozens of troublemakers before, during and after the game.

FC Utrecht - Ajax Amsterdam – 01/10/2006

Source : Utrecht website + Ajax Foto Side + AJAX PRIDE

The FC Utrecht president, Jan Willem van Dop, intervened after incidents erupted during the game against Ajax Amsterdam last Sunday "These incidents are unacceptable" declared the President. "We will gather together all supporter associations to discuss these annoying incidents caused by a minority which give a bad image of the club and its supporters. Our own stewards were the target of its hooligans. It is necessary to act as fast as possible before it is not too late " he added. The FC UTRECHT president did not exclude taking drastic measures such as suspending Ajax fans from going to Utrecht and vice versa with Amsterdam and its own supporters.

Bucharest clubs get stadium bans after crowd trouble - 05/10/2006

Source: Reüters

Romania's Soccer Federation (FRF) has given one-match stadium bans to Bucharest clubs Steaua, Dinamo and Rapid following crowd trouble during last month's derby matches.

Supporters clashed with each other and riot police during and after Dinamo's 3-1 win over Rapid, while Steaua fans shouted racist slogans at Rapid supporters.

'All three teams will play their next home match in front of empty stands,' a FRF spokesman told Reuters on Thursday, adding that the clubs would also be fined.

Players and fans clash at Brazilian airport - 04/10/2006

Source: Reuters

The players of Brazilian second division club Coritiba fought with their own fans at an airport on Wednesday after being given a hostile reception on returning home from an away game.

Around 50 fans waited for the players at the airport in southern Brazil to protest and insult the team following the previous night's 2-0 defeat against Ceara.

Television pictures showed chaotic scenes as the players entered the arrivals hall to be greeted by furious supporters.

Witnesses said that several players and club security men hit back, exchanging punches with the fans, while litter bins were thrown around the hall.

The fighting lasted several minutes before police brought the situation under control.

Coritiba later condemned the supporters' behaviour.

'The supporters have every right to peacefully show their discontent over the results on the field, and even in relation to the directors and the president,' said a club statement.

'But we can't agree that violence and aggression are the methods used to show opinions.'

Coritiba are sixth in the second division, known as Serie B. The top four are promoted.

SK Slavia Praha - AC Sparta Praha - 02/10/2006

Source : Radio Praha + Ultras Sparta website

River Plate – Boca Juniors – 07/10/2006

Source : INFOBae + AP

Riot police guard the area were soccer fans of Argentina's River Plate wait in line, to buy tickets for Sundays derby soccer game between River Plate and Boca Juniors.

United Complain About Benfica Fans - 07/10/2006

Source: Sportinglife.com

UEFA have confirmed they are investigating a formal complaint by Manchester United about "alleged racist conduct'' by Benfica fans during the recent Champions League fixture between the sides.

United made the complaint following the 1-0 victory in Lisbon last month when several Red Devils players were allegedly targeted by sections of the Estadio Da Luz crowd.

A UEFA statement on uefa.com said: "UEFA is investigating a written complaint made by Manchester United FC about alleged racist conduct by spectators at the UEFA Champions League Group F match against SL Benfica in Lisbon on 26 September.

"The English club has submitted the complaint, following allegations by United players that they were subject to abuse of a racist nature at the game in Portugal, which United won 1-0.''

Croatia - England - 08/10/2006

Source : Sunday Mirror + Guardian

YOU DON'T SCARE US

PHIL NEVILLE insists England will not be scared of the atmosphere generated by some of the most notorious hooligans in the football when Steve McClaren's men play in Zagreb on Wednesday.

Croatia's infamous Bad Blue Boys have built up a reputation for violence and racism.

August's 2-0 friendly win over Italy in Livorno was marred when more than 200 travelling fans stood in a swastika formation on the terraces.

But Neville, who has experienced Zagreb before when he was part of the Manchester United team that beat NK in the Champions League qualifier four years ago, reckons it is nothing compared to a trip to Anfield - especially when the Kop are baiting his brother Gary.

The Everton captain, back in England's squad after missing out on the World Cup finals for a third successive time in the summer, said: "I played in Zagreb with United a few years ago in a Champions League qualifier and we heard a lot of horror stories about how intimidating it was going to be.

"In the end we won comfortably and it was nothing like the atmosphere we were expecting.

"Sometimes we build these places up to be a lot worse than they actually are.

"Is it as bad as going to Anfield or Elland Road? I'd have to say no from what I experienced last time.

"I am sure we have all played in more intimidating atmospheres than Zagreb, like Istanbul.

"It can't be as hostile as Anfield - both when I've played for United and Everton - although going there is even worse when you've got your brother alongside you!"

Neville believes the trip to Croatia presents McClaren with the biggest test of his reign so far. And he knows England must play better than they did when they held on to a 1-0 win in Macedonia last month.

He added: "While that was a good result for us, the performance wasn't what it should have been. We were hanging on in the last 10 minutes when we should have been in total control and looking for the second and third goals that would have killed them off.

"The best teams in the world don't hang on. They see games out in comfort and we are aware that we were lucky we weren't up against a better team than Macedonia because we would have been punished.

"Croatia is a big test for us. We're under no illusions about how tough it will be, but we have enough quality in the team to do there and get a result.

"We are looking to build a platform to win a major championship."

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

Croatia clamps down on racist fans before England match

Stringent security will surround England's Euro 2008 qualifying match in Croatia this week amid fears that far-right hooligans could target England supporters.
Football's world governing body, Fifa, has charged the Croatian Football Federation with bringing the game into disrepute after fans formed a human swastika on the terraces two months ago during a friendly international in Italy. Supporters at domestic matches in Croatia have a poor reputation for racist behaviour and violence.

Representatives of the London branch of the official England supporters' club, englandfans, are planning a series of "fan-friendly" events before Wednesday's match in an attempt to reduce the risk of trouble. British police have visited Croatia to liaise with the local force and two uniformed British officers will be present in Zagreb. The low level of trouble involving English fans at the World Cup in Germany was attributed in part to a uniformed British policing presence.
A British embassy spokeswoman in Zagreb said trouble was not expected, but added: "We are not complacent about football-related disorder." The Football Supporters' Federation's travelling "embassy" will be in Zagreb to help the 4,000-plus England fans expected. Mark Perryman, organiser of London englandfans, said: "There is clearly a hooligan problem and clearly a problem of racism in Croatia and it was very much a concern of supporters at our recent meeting."

Piara Power, director of the Kick It Out campaign against racism in football, said: "There are a number of far-right groups involved in their fan base - it is very similar to Poland. The Croatian football authorities are aware of the potential problems at the game and a lot of work has gone on with the stadium management on prevention of violence and racism. They are aware of the sanctions that can be imposed by Uefa."

Croatia were fined during Euro 2004 over racist banners flown at a game against France. The swastika incident in Livorno, involving 250 fans, heightened concerns. The chief of the Croatian Federation, Vlatko Markovic, said: "Those fans do not care about Croatia, only themselves." Croatia is jointly bidding with Hungary to stage Euro 2012 and is anxious its prospects are not jeopardised.

The match is at the 40,000 capacity Maksimir Stadium, home of Dinamo Zagreb and hardcore supporters the Bad Blue Boys. During the Balkans conflict they turned into a paramilitary outfit and there is a monument under the west stand to those who died. Jonathan Wilson, author of Behind the Curtain, a study of eastern European football since 1989, said: "The danger is that the reputation of some England fans will encourage some Croatian idiots to try and beat them up. There is certainly a problem in club football in Croatia and the country will always have a problem with its rightwing element."

Although Croatian supporters were a happy and friendly element at the World Cup, Mr Wilson said: "There could be problems if England fans try to occupy the main square in Zagreb." The large, cafe-lined square is dominated by a statue of Croatian nationalist hero Jospi Jelacic.

Goran Jutrisa, a youth worker with the British Council in Zagreb, has helped to organise school visits in Sisak and Zagreb by groups of England fans tomorrow. "Hooliganism is not the core thing about football culture. These visits to about 300 kids will help fight that prejudice."

AS St Etienne - Paris SG - 01/10/2006

Source : Visitor view

Presence of around fifty of Parisian youths (Independents + boys) in a bar. Quickly surrounded by about fifteen police officers. Locals scouts located Parisians in "GLASGOW" Pub, but no local group in sight. Towards 20:00, the Paris group walked in direction of the stadium, surrounded by as many police officers. Approximately 200 local fans without police escort appeared near the stadium, made fake charges with 2 recoveries while launching stones, but remained at a distance 50 meters from the Parisians. Flare shootings from the Paris side, CS gas used by the police officers on the locals and trudgeon blows against Parisians. At several times, the visitors using invaluable umbrellas tried to force through and overflow the police line. 15/20 minutes of palpable tension... without any contact in the end.

Argentina : Douglas Haig - Juventud - 01/10/2006

Source : LA SEGUNDA

The game was definitively stopped by the referee at the 74th minute, when local fans tried to penetrate on to the field by breaking the barriers separating them from the field. They also threw stones on their own players.

Argentina : GODOY CRUZ – ARSENAL replay - 05/10/2006

Source : 26noticias

The Executive Committee of the AFA has decided that the match between Godoy Cruz and Arsenal will be replayed on the 25th October, at 21:30.
Characteristically, instead of 45 minutes, the two half-times will be played in 37 minutes each. In fact last August,the game was definitively stopped at the 16th minute when many local fans, without tickets, had tried to penetrate with force in the stadium, causing serious incidents with the police force. Thus remains 74 minutes to be played...

Belgium : prison for hooligans - 07/10/2006

Source: Belga

Three Antwerp hooligans were condemned yesterday for hitting a cop in 2004.
One of them got 30 months.

Czech Republic : Hooliganism now against the law - 09/10/2006

Source : Czech Business Weekly

British House of Lord’s member George Foulkes arrived in Prague Sept. 28 to watch a UEFA Cup game between his favorite team, Hearts of Midlothian, and Czech powerhouse Sparta Praha.

He returned home with a bitter aftertaste. Not only was his Scottish club unable to make up for its 2–0 loss in the home leg two weeks before, but the Scottish lord also went home with bruises on his face, arms and legs.

Foulkes and other Scottish supporters became victims of Sparta hooligans before the game. The “rowdies” attacked the Scottish fans in a pub near Letná stadium in Prague 7. “We didn't manage to say a single word to them; they hit fast and then quickly walked away,” Foulkes said.

In the wake of the increasing brutal attacks at football stadiums in this country, a new law against hooligans at sports sites has been put in force.

President Václav Klaus signed into law Sept. 29 — only one day after the attacks against Foulkes and the Heart’s supporters — a bill that deals with hooliganism at Czech sports sites.

From Oct. 1, hooligans could end up behind bars for up to three years, and could receive a lifetime ban on attending any sports events.

“We wanted to help root out hooliganism from sports stadiums and to enable more effective legal action against hooligans,” said Justice Minister Jiří Pospíšil. The Czech football Association (ČMFS) spokesman Václav Tichý said the new legislation should force hooligans out of the stadiums.

“Until now, clubs had a very difficult time [dealing with hooligans], but the new law should help prevent notorious hooligans from entering stadiums,” Tichý pointed out.

In Britain’s footsteps

Slovan Liberec football club director Luděk Kleibl said the new legislation against hooligans was more than welcome. Last May, Slovan hosted a Czech Cup final game between Sparta and Baník Ostrava, the clubs with the wildest hooligans in this country. The Ostrava rowdies demolished equipment at the Slovan stadium, causing Kč 1.3 million (€ 46,000) in damage to the club.

“When some 500 people decide to demolish the stands, you can’t do too much about that,” Kleibl said. “The only thing is to prevent them from attending the game.” said parliamentary deputy Karel Šplíchal, who was among those who initiated the legislation. He said the new anti-hooliganism law followed principles adopted in the U.K.

“People who repeatedly commit violence at stadiums in Britain can't enter games any more,” Šplíchal pointed out.

Czech police detain about 300 hooligans before, during and after football games every year. Almost all of them are soon released with only minor fines. Rowdy fans also frequently set up gang battles via the Internet. “Current football hooligans don't respect any rules thanks to their belief that they will emerge virtually unpunished,” said Martin Synecký, the Police Presidium commissioner responsible for combatting football hooliganism.

Gambrinus league director Ivo Lubas said identifying particular rowdies and banning them from stadiums was the most effective prevention that teams could take in order to do away with violence during football games here. “The culprits will then be sentenced to pay for the damage, and they’ll also be banned from stadiums,” Lubas said.

In order to make that happen, Czech clubs will need to implement screening systems that will enable game organizers to identify people entering the stadium. “This should be similar to what’s already working in Britain,” Lubas said. Also, he added, Gambrinus league stadiums will have to be equipped by 2010 with cameras that will allow stadium security to monitor fan behavior.