Season 06/07 - April

Rapid Bucarest - Steaua Bucarest - 01/04/2007

Source: telefoot.fr + Guardian

Riots in Bucarest

Fights occured between Rapid Bucarest and Steaua Bucarest fans prior to the game opposing both teams.
About 30 people who took part were arrested.
About 500 policemen were present at this high-risks game.

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Fans clash before Bucharest derby

Around 100 fans clashed in a parking lot ahead of the Bucharest derby between Rapid and Steaua, prompting police to briefly close a shopping mall while they broke up the fight.
"They used sticks and knives in a public place, but nobody seemed to be seriously wounded," police spokesman Christian Ciocan told reporters.
"Special riot forces intervened to stop the fighting and have detained 24 violent fans so far."

More arrested over hooligan brawl and killing in Paiania - 01/04/2007

Source: ANA

In addition to the 16 already charged, police on Sunday announced that another two fan association leaders had been arrested after a veritable arsenal was found in raids on their club premises. Another man who was being held under arrest in hospital may also be charged in connection with the killing. The charges against the 16 include seven crimes and seven misdemeanours, including intentional homicide and repeated counts of attempted homicide.

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed on Friday that the law does not allow suspended sentences or fines for those convicted of sports-related violence and that they would go straight to jail. He also announced a decision to ban all team matches for two weeks, following an urgent meeting between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the three ministers directly responsible for sports and law enforcement, Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras, Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras and Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos.

The clash involving some 500 hooligans occurred on Thursday evening ahead of a women's first-division volleyball match between Greece's two largest clubs, arch-rivals Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. According to police reports, there is strong evidence that it was arranged in advance and that the match itself was just a pretext. The two groups engaged in a 20-minute battle in the eastern suburb of Paiania, during which a young man in his early 20s was killed and several others, including passers-by not directly involved in the fighting, were seriously injured. Police intervened, detaining 18 people and arresting 13, who were charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm.

While investigating the incident, police raided the offices of dozens of Panathinaikos and Olympiakos fan associations around Athens, recovering items such as clubs, crowbars, switchblades, fireworks, knives, chains, flares and drugs.

One more man - the head of a fan association in Peristeri - was also placed under arrest and led before a public prosecutor on Saturday after he turned himself in. Police had been looking for him after finding a number of suspect items at the fan association's offices during Friday's raids.

Following a meeting at police headquarters on Friday, investigating officers said they had no firm evidence that the arrival of Panathinaikos supporters on the scene had been organised in advance but it was clear that Olympiakos supporters had orchestrated their arrival in large numbers.

They were seen leaving Karaiskaki stadium, the Olympiakos home ground, on 150 motorbikes headed for Paiania, while another 50 motorbikes joined the group at the Kallimarmaron (Panathenian) stadium in central Athens.

Hockey Club Davos - SC Bern - Hockey game - 01/04/2007

Source: press

Benfica SL - FC Porto - 01/04/2007

Source: Megafone

Three Porto fans were arrested during troubles occured inside the stadium and opposing Porto fans to police forces.
Outside the stadium, Benfica fans also created troubles with police forces.

Source: mail - Benfica Casual Crew

More than 600 police, 200 stweards, 50 "spotters" and +- 70 "casual" police!
Before the game, plus then 100 Benfica casuals walking around our Stadium,
looking for their hooligans, but nothing! Little fights here and there,
always with Benfica taking advantage!
About 2 hours before the game, a group of around 25 Porto casuals came close
to the ground, and when a group of around 30/40 Benfica was close to get
them, they manage to enter police safety! Then came the Porto Ultras, all
surrounded by cops! Many bottles and stones trown, they had to enter the
Sadium running, eh eh! Inside the Stadium, they stay in the upper floor,
where they trown bombs and chairs to the down foor, hurting innocent people,
only scarfers! People begin to get very mad about that, and when the game
ended, normal Benfica fans chased normal Porto fans, seeking reveng about
what they did inside the stadium! No chance to get their hooligans or
Ultras, because they were escorted by police to their bus and many police on
the streets! Still, those who came by car and live near Lisbon where caught
and punnished!





VIDEOS: (thanks to the sender)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5QLjP0BUhM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fadeptos%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w22-KI0GVFs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fadeptos%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHQUb-AHIOA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fadeptos%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F

Bristol City - Nottingham Forest - 01/04/2007

Source : Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Police praise City and Forest fans for good behaviour

Police have praised the behaviour of both sets of fans following the trouble-free top-of-the-table clash between Bristol City and Nottingham Forest at Ashton Gate.

Following well-rehearsed plans before, during and after the game, police had to make just four arrests for minor offences.

Silver commander Chief Inspector Simon House said: "We worked closely with both clubs ahead of the game following problems in the corresponding clash at Nottingham Forest earlier in the year.

"Our operation is geared up to minimising problems and providing public reassurance with high visibility policing," he added.

Although intelligence suggested that there could be potential disorder, a police operation was launched, based on well-rehearsed plans.

There were two arrests – one person was arrested for trying to get into the game while drunk while the other three were arrested for public order offences.

The night before the game police in Weston-super-Mare mounted an operation after receiving intelligence that a large number of Nottingham Forest fans planned to stay in the seaside resort. Reports suggested Bristol City fans would travel to the coastal town.

But high visibility patrols, partnership working with nightclub doorstaff, the council's CCTV operating team, dog and mounted section and the road policing unit helped to ensure a peaceful night in the resort.

Chief Inspector Nick Walker of North Somerset policing district said: "Our principal aim when mounting this kind of operation is to ensure people who travel to Weston-super-Mare have a safe and enjoyable time.

"In previous football operations we have shown that we do not tolerate anti social behaviour and will show the red card to potential troublemakers, who then run the risk of receiving a football banning order," he added.

Sunderland: Quinn pays £8,000 to get fans back home - 02/03/2007

Source : icNewcastle

Big-hearted Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn forked out £8,000 of his own money to pay taxi fares for about 80 supporters left stranded in Bristol.

A handful of fans, returning from the club's 1-0 victory over Cardiff on Saturday, were kicked off an easyJet flight after the crew accused them of being drunk and rowdy.

But former Republic of Ireland striker Quinn was outraged at the decision, and stood up for his supporters. He took his delegation of Sunderland officials off the Boeing 737, and laid on 14 taxis back to the North-East.

Quinn, 40, who gave the £1m proceeds from his testimonial match to charity, also offered places to North-East passengers who were not supporters, and waited until all the fans had gone before jumping in a cab himself.

Many supporters - and Quinn himself - did not get home until about 6.30am, and were angry at the actions of easyJet staff, claiming they had "massively over-reacted".

Flight EZY576 was due to take off from Bristol for Newcastle at 9.30pm, but many passengers were still on the plane more than two hours later after police were called.

Officers then threw 12 of the 123 passengers off the plane, including a disabled Sunderland fan, but there were no arrests. Angry at the disabled man being targeted, Quinn tried to reason with cabin crew, before deciding to leave the flight.

With no coaches available, he then organised 14 six-seater taxis to travel the 320-mile journey and paid for the lot on his credit card. With each journey costing about £600, he would have forked out around £8,000.

Quinn himself was upset with the airline's treatment of the fans. He added: "The journey home from Cardiff was certainly one of our more eventful ones.

"We vehemently oppose the airline's view that there was disruptive behaviour on the plane. The mood was humorous and everyone was in good spirits after our fine victory.

"The club was happy to provide transport back to the North-East for the group, which included children, elderly and disabled fans as their safety and wellbeing was paramount.

"We also deny the airline's claim that overnight accommodation was offered and this was witnessed by several independent parties.

"Thankfully everyone returned home safely and we will now draw a line under this. To any fans who still feel aggrieved, remember the three points came home as well."

Other passengers said there were a few members of the supporters who had been drinking, and that they were told the flight had been cancelled because of their behaviour.

Four travellers, a couple from Hexham, a woman from Durham and a charity worker from Tynemouth, were quoted £89 for a Holiday Inn room and were told they could not board a plane until 6pm last night.

So the group decided to hire a car and drive back to Newcastle Airport. They arrived home at about 6.30am yesterday morning.

Both easyJet and Avon and Somerset Police said the flight was cancelled because of the behaviour of some of the passengers.

A police spokesman said: "The pilot said there was a group of football fans he believed to be drunk, which is an offence."

An airline spokeswoman added: "Due to disruptive behaviour onboard flight EZY576 from Bristol to Newcastle on Saturday March 31, police were called to the aircraft and a group of passengers were removed from the flight.

"easyJet has a zero-tolerance policy towards any unacceptable behaviour onboard or towards its staff and the flight was consequently cancelled.

"The airline offered those passengers not involved a free transfer onto the next available flight and hotel accommodation and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to them."

Cardiff Fans Arrested After Brawl - 03/04/2007

Source : VitalFootball

Cardiff City fans were involved in ugly scenes towards the end of Saturday night when traouble ensued at Cardiff Central Station.

The violent clashes were between Cardiff City fans, out after an evening of heavy drinking following a 1-0 home defeat by Sunderland, and Swansea City fans making their way home from a 2-0 defeat in Millwall.

The trouble began after high-spirited banter between the two sets of fans got slighly more menacing and around 40 fans were involved in an ugly brawl which spilled out onto the tracks.

5 men were arrested at the scene, but the incident could have been far worse given the danger associated with the fight spilling onto the tracks.

Once again Cardiff City fans have been implicated in the kind of pathetic behaviour that has marred the clubs reputation and hindered their progress. While the small-scale action of a few mindless thugs should not detract from the huge steps taken in recent years, these incidents are the sort that can linger in the memory and tarnish the reputation of Cardiff City FC.

Greek supporters' clubs suspended - 03/04/2007

Source : SI

All Greek soccer supporters' clubs were suspended Tuesday, and league organizers escaped with a warning after last week's deadly fan violence.

The measures were announced by the government following clashes between fans of Greece's two largest clubs -- Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. Thursday's violence left one fan dead and prompted a two-week ban on all professional team sport matches.

"This will remain in effect ... until a new law is approved, and measures allowing surveillance cameras at stadiums and all match-ticket sales to identifiable with individual fans," deputy minister for sport Giorgos Orfanos said.

Those measures are due to take effect next season -- a year later than originally planned.

"We have all decided to join the fight against violence in sport. The government is determined to see these measures through," Orfanos said.

League organizers also agreed to stop distributing tickets directly to supporters' clubs and to help authorities shut down fan organizations operating without a license.

Similar restrictions were imposed on basketball and volleyball clubs.

Clubs had been threatened with playing for the rest of the season in empty stadiums unless they complied, local media reports said.

The government imposed the two-week ban on all professional team sports Friday after fans from Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were involved in bloody clashes a day earlier outside a women's volleyball game.

Both clubs have teams in soccer, basketball and other sports, and rival supporters in the past have clashed at various sporting events.

Panathinaikos fan Michalis Filopoulos, 25, died while he was being transported to a hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds and head injuries from blows with a baseball bat.

Eighteen fans were arrested after the clashes, 12 under blanket felony charges that include murder. The six other suspects were arrested on lesser charges, and five of them have been released pending trial.

League organizers said they agreed with the crackdown on supporters' clubs.

"Everything must change, we're all in agreement on that," PAS Giannina Alexis Kouyias chairman said. "There will be a new legal framework which will not allow for this kind of violent behavior to develop ... Something must be done to jolt the public."

Anti-violence laws approved by Italian Senate - 03/04/2007

Source : Sportingnews

The Italian Senate passed anti-violence laws Tuesday that were put into effect after a policeman was killed during a soccer riot two months ago.

The law includes tougher penalties for violent spectators and measures that prevent fans from entering stadiums that do not meet safety requirements. They were put into effect in February after a policeman was killed in rioting following a Serie A match in Sicily.

Lawmakers had 60 days to turn the government decree into law and the measure, already approved by the lower chamber of parliament, passed with a wide margin in the Senate.

Only season-ticket holders have been allowed in to watch games at several stadiums for the past two months. Safety requirements for stadiums include electric turnstiles that read tickets with fans' names on them and security cameras.

The law also bans clubs from selling blocks of tickets to visiting fans and allows authorities to bar suspected hooligans from entering stadiums, even if they haven't been convicted of crimes.

Banners that incite violence are banned by the law, which also increases jail sentences for fans who assault police.

Slavija - Zeljeznicar - 01/04/2007

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

FK Zeljeznicar's Sunday away match in Lukavica, was marked by the incidents made by FK Zeljeznicar's supporters, called " The Maniacs 87".
They made two major interruptions during the match. The first one was when The Maniacs used pyrotechnics and afterwards threw them on the pitch, while the second one was when someone from the crowd hit the home team goalkeeper in the head!
Hooliganism continued even outside of the stadium, where The Maniacs went into a mass fight with the police force. Result - 8 police officers were hurt

KKE leader, gov't discuss hooliganism issue - 04/04/2007

Source : Athens News Agency

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) general-secretary Aleka Papariga on Wednesday presented four proposals by her party for stamping out hooligan-related violence at sports events, during a meeting here with Deputy Culture Minister George Orfanos.

The meeting comes after a particularly disturbing clash between rival "fans" last week in an eastern Attica township (Peania), an incident that left one 25-year-old man dead and several others injured.

Papariga called for the abolition of pro sports clubs in favour for amateur-only teams along with state-funded federations and leagues. She also proposed a greater emphasis on sports education and sportsmanship in school curricula. Finally, the communist party leader said "social bodies" should back sports in a more direct manner, whereas a "responsible collective scientific study" into the behaviour of youth vis-?-vis sports should be commenced by local universities.

Meanwhile, in response to press questions, Orfanos commented on a proposal by the president of the popular AEK Athens football club -- one-time international striker and AEK star Demis Nikolaidis -- who a day earlier suggested that Greek first division soccer teams abstain from European play for three years as a remedy to football hooliganism.

"I don't know what that measure will accomplish, quite frankly. I see it as a measure that will punish the teams. Whatever is part of a comprehensive legal action plan (to combat hooliganism), however, is acceptable," Orfanos, whose portfolio includes sports issues, told reporters.

Suspects face magistrate

In a related development, eight out of 12 individuals arrested during and after last week's extensive hooligan violence were remanded in custody late Tuesday evening following their day-long appearances before a judicial magistrate in Athens.

The 12 men, mostly in their 20s, were charged with various felony counts. The other four individuals were released on bail and ordered not to leave the country.

According to reports, the 12 individuals include two employees of the Olympiakos pro football club; two members of an affiliated fan club; an employee of a prefecture; two college students; a merchant seaman; a high school pupil; a private sector employee; a plumber and an unemployed man.

Based on initial court statements, nine out of the 13 suspects said they are Olympiakos fans; the other three said they are Panathinaikos fans.

A "rumble" of between 400 and 500 Olympiakos and Panathinaikos hooligans erupted near the venue where a women's volleyball match between the two same teams was being held a few kilometres away.

AS ROMA - MANCHESTER UTD - 04/04/2007

Source : Times online + Manchester Evening News + Sportinglife + Guardian

Rome's police chief urges calm

Achille Serra, Rome's chief of police has reacted angrily to Manchester United's suggestion that travelling fans face a "real danger" of attack whilst attending the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Roma. United are expecting 6000 fans to travel and advised fans to avoid certain areas in the Italian capital where they could be subject to attacks from "Ultras", the hard-core Roma hooligans.

"I am astonished but also worried by Manchester United's statements," said Serra. "There's no doubting the fact that there have been difficulties in managing law and order between English and Italian teams. "But it's the job of everybody to calm things down and lower tensions. A letter of this kind works in the opposite way, raises tension and risks provoking incidents."

Serra has already suspended the sale of alcohol to fans in the Italian capital from midday on Wednesday until three o'clock the following morning, and has been in talks with the British ambassador in Rome to assure him that "the number of officers who'll be on duty is proportional to the event."

"Rome is one of the safest cities in the world," he added. "Obviously, each team has small minorities of violent supporters, but to generalise or make this city out the way it has been in this letter is completely wrong and does not correspond to reality. Rome is a civil city. The places at risk, if there are any, will be under surveillance. But I do not accept that you cannot take the metro or go to some places in the city."

Three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed in Rome last year when rival fans clashed before a Uefa Cup match.

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Rome furious over Utd warning

THE FURIOUS Mayor of Rome has demanded an apology over a letter sent by Manchester United to its fans warning of a "real danger" they would be attacked by notorious Italian hooligans known as "Ultras".

Walter Veltroni, speaking ahead of the Reds clash with AS Roma in the Olympic Stadium tonight, said he lodged an official complaint with the city's British ambassador, Edward Chaplin, about United's letter, which was also posted on the club's website. It warned Reds to avoid parts of the city "as these are habitual routes taken by the Ultras to the stadium".

It said fans who do not use special transport shuttles to get to the ground face "a real danger of being attacked by the Ultra fans of AS Roma{hellip}we ask you to consider your own safety and welfare as being of paramount importance."

Mr Veltroni has slated the comments as "unfortunate and unpleasant". He continued: " They are also dangerous because they can create a negative climate.

"I regard it as very unpleasant and I would like to assure Manchester United fans that they are welcome in our city and that the true image of Rome is very different to how it has been portrayed by their club."

Mr Veltroni believes the advice is unnecessary and told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport: "Rome is a city that welcomes everyone in a hospitable manner. I consider what appeared on the Manchester United website to be an unfortunate accident, but also dangerous because it risks creating a negative climate.

'Welcoming'

"I have spoken on the telephone to the English ambassador. Rome is a serene and welcoming city."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed the letters were not out of the ordinary and expressed confidence in the Italian police force to deal with any issues that do arise.

"We always issue a letter for every away trip," said Sir Alex.

"More importantly, the Italian police have been very communicative with our people.

"Hopefully, everything will be okay. I don't anticipate trouble but the Italian police are very experienced and I think they can deal with it."

United spokesman Phil Townsend said: "All we are doing is providing a service to the supporters. We are not commenting on the people or the city. We are passing on advice given to us by the police and by the British embassy."

The M.E.N. spoke to Mr Veltroni's office today and a spokesman confirmed comments he had made to Italian media had been accurately translated.

A spokeswoman for the British Embassy said today: "The British Embassy is grateful for the support and advice provided by the Italian authorities in advance of the Roma-Manchester United Champions League game. This advice, which has been passed on to visiting Manchester United fans, recommends sensible precautions to ensure that both Roma and Man Utd supporters can enjoy what will be a fascinating and passionate football match, in a safe and friendly atmosphere."

Warning

On Friday, the Manchester Evening News revealed the contents of the letter, which represented the first time the Old Trafford club had issued such a detailed and direct warning to its fans.

It follows the trouble which marred United's game against Lille last month in the group stage of the same competition, when Reds fans became crushed in the away section of the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens and tried to scale the perimeter fence. Uefa fined United £6.300 for the crowd trouble although the club blamed heavy-handed policing and an attempt by Lille players to abandon the game after Ryan Giggs scored a quickly-taken free-kick. Lille were fined £42,000 for a variety of offences including a breach of security.

A year ago three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed in Rome during their Uefa Cup clash with Roma, apparently under attack from an organised gang of Ultras.

And, in February, an Italian policeman was killed after he was hit by a flare and 70 others were hurt during rioting following a derby game in Sicily.

United bosses sent the letter to 4,500 fans who bought official tickets for tonight's game, specifically warning supporters to avoid areas of the city frequented by the Ultras and asking them to travel to the game on the transport provided rather than go independently. It also warned fans to expected "fairly primitive" facilities at the stadium.

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Twenty Injured In Clashes Outside Rome Stadium

Twenty people were injured in clashes ahead of the first-leg Champions League quarter-final between Roma and Manchester United on Wednesday, news reports said.

Hundreds of fans clashed near a bridge on the Tiber river before the police managed to separate the opposing groups.

The violence continued inside the Olympic stadium with Roma hooligans hurling objects at a sector occupied by the English fans during halftime.

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Fans Clash In Rome

Some incidents of fighting have occurred in the build-up to tonight's Champions League quarter-final match between Roma and Manchester United, according to Italian media reports.

It has been reported that five people were injured in skirmishes between supporters on the way to the Olympic Stadium.

Three were thought to be English, one from Rome and the fifth a member of the security forces.

The trouble reportedly occurred near two bridges - the Ponte Milvio and the Ponte Duca d'Aosta.

After Roma took a 1-0 lead, both sets of fans threw missiles at each other.

Police moved in using their batons on United supporters.

TV pictures showed one dazed fan with blood pouring from his face with others trying to help him back to his feet.

Meanwhile, announcements were made over the public address system threatening to halt the game.

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British fans clash with Rome police

British football fans have been caught up in violent clashes with Italian police at Manchester United's Champions League tie with AS Roma.

A column of riot police with shields and batons were seen moving into a section of the crowd where two St George flags were on display.

It was initially unclear how the clash broke out but it followed earlier reports that five people, including three United fans, had been injured on their way to the Olympic stadium in Rome.

BBC Five Live commentator Alan Green, who witnessed the trouble, said: "United fans appeared to charge the police and the police went in. It got pretty vicious. I don't know if the Roma fans started this but they are happy now as it is between the police and the United fans."

Earlier Italy's ANSA news agency said that around 300 English fans were involved in a stand-off before the first leg quarter final tie.

On Tuesday United warned the 6,000 fans travelling to the game to take care. A message posted on the club's website told supporters to avoid certain areas of the city and not to use the city's metro because of a "real danger of being attacked by the 'Ultra' fans of AS Roma".

The warning infuriated some officials in the city, who said it would only excite tensions.

Around 5,000 United fans had bought tickets for the game but a further 1,000 were expected to travel without tickets.

The warning spoke of dangers on the Ponte Nenni bridge, the Campo de Fiori or trains to the Piazza Flaminio. Wednesday night's earlier incidents were said to have taken place near the Ponte Milvio and Ponte Duca d'Aosta bridges.

The trouble inside the stadium erupted after Roma went 1-0 up, with both sets of fans throwing missiles at each other. Police moved in using their batons on United supporters. TV pictures showed one dazed fan with blood pouring from his face with others trying to help him back to his feet. Meanwhile, announcements were made over the public address system threatening to halt the game. On the pitch Paul Scholes was sent off just 33 minutes into the match.

FAMILY'S SHOCK AT FANS' STABBING - 05/04/2007

Source : Sportinglife + BBC News

The family of a Manchester United fan stabbed in Rome have told of their shock at the brutal attack.

Stephen Fitzsimons, 53, was knifed in the groin after he and three friends were ambushed by AS Roma supporters on their way to the club's clash with Manchester United in Rome.

Mr Fitzsimons, who runs a contract cleaning firm in Manchester, and two other men were stabbed shortly before the match last night at the Olympic stadium.

He was taken to hospital and twice underwent emergency surgery to control his bleeding.

The other men, Mike Skarrett, 51, of Rossendale, and nephew Steve Skarrett, 19, each suffered three knife wounds in the unprovoked attack.

Mike remains in hospital but Steve has been released following treatment.

Mr Fitzsimons suffered one stab wound to the groin and is in hospital, relatives said.

His wife, Janice, 60, said she had been frightened at the news.

She said: "I was at the bingo at about 7pm when I got a text message from Stephen saying he had been stabbed and was on his way to hospital.

"I was just so shocked and scared.

"I thought at first he was joking but then I realised he was serious.

"Thank goodness it wasn't any worse. I can't imagine what these (attackers) were thinking.

"My husband certainly wouldn't cause any trouble. This is just a group of middle aged men going to watch the football."

Mr Fitzsimons's sister-in-law, Patricia, 49, said: "The group was on its way to the football when they were ambushed by Italian supporters.

"Three of the party were stabbed and were taken to hospital.

"The trouble last night was terrible. The Manchester United fans are getting all the blame but it's not fair.

"They should have been flying home today but they obviously can't do that now. We don't know when they are coming home.



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Injured fans vent anger at police

Bloodied and bruised fans arriving back from Manchester United's Champions League clash in Rome have spoken of their anger at Italian police.
At least 11 United fans were taken to hospital, three with stab wounds, and a number were arrested following clashes with police and Roma fans on Wednesday.

Some supporters arriving at Manchester Airport were bandaged and others had visible head wounds.

"The police were beyond control," said one eye-witness.

During the game, which Roma won 2-1, both sets of fans could be seen throwing missiles at each other.

Uefa has announced an investigation into the crowd trouble at the Stadio Olimpico, although United fans claimed it was Italian police who made the situation worse.

One man said: "We were told there was going to be trouble outside the ground so we were told to be careful - as we were.

"We didn't expect to be battered by the Italian police for doing nothing."

Businessman Stephen Fitzsimons, 53, from Stretford, Greater Manchester, was knifed in the groin as he made his way to the ground with three friends.

He was taken to hospital and twice underwent emergency surgery to control his bleeding.

Mr Fitzsimons, who hopes to be released from hospital on Saturday, told BBC Radio Manchester: "No police have been to see me... it's disgusting.

"The doctor said I was very lucky to be alive - I was 2cm away from being dead."

Some witnesses inside the ground spoke of terrified women and children running away from the police during one baton charge, while a disabled man was reportedly knocked out of his wheelchair.

BBC correspondent Christian Fraser, who was in the stadium, said trouble flared after Roma fans ran towards the perspex partition which separated the supporters.

He said Manchester United fans reacted and the police moved in with their batons in a response that was "at best robust and in some cases some officers went completely over the top".

The view was supported by Manchester United fan Debbie Robertson, from Rusholme, who told BBC Five Live that some police actually shielded her from their over-zealous colleagues.

"There was four or five police and they were coming towards me and my husband with the helmets and their batons," she said.

"We were sort of pinned against a perspex panel, so he (the officer) started to shield us and say, 'You'd better move somewhere else' but there wasn't really anywhere else to move to."

'Negative climate'

Another man, who arrived back in the arrivals lounge with dried blood still visible on a head wound, blamed the Roma fans for the trouble.

"The away fans started throwing bottles and coins and the police just waded in with their truncheons," he said,

"They [the police] ill-treated us yet again."

Manchester United fans also experienced problems with police during their last visit to Europe against Lille in Lens, France.

Prior to Wednesday night's game, Rome's mayor Walter Veltroni said United's warning to its fans about the violence threat was "dangerous because it risks creating a negative climate".

A statement released by Manchester United on Thursday said: "There were clearly some very disturbing scenes in the stadium last night.

"Until we have had chance to discuss the situation with the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian authorities and to understand the cause, it would be inappropriate to comment."



Video : https://www.dailymotion.com/search/roma/video/x1motq_roma-v-manu-bbc-news-report-police

'Brutal' cops beat Man U fans - 05/04/2007

Source : The Sun

ITALIAN riot police showed no mercy last night as they battered Manchester United fans in Rome.

Officers used truncheons and tear gas on the Brits — in some of the most shocking football riot scenes in recent years.

Cops wearing helmets and protective armour rained down blow after blow on fallen fans.

One officer was seen smashing his baton down on one supporter TEN times. Another cop also hit the sprawling fan twice.

Another United fan needed two friends to help him stand up.

His face covered in blood, he looked dazed and confused — staggering as he got to his feet.

Earlier Reds supporters were hurt in clashes with Roma’s notorious Ultra fans around the city.

At least 18 Brits were taken to hospital, with two kept in overnight. Many suffered knife wounds. Two Roma fans were also treated.

In the Stadio Olimpico for the Champions League quarter-final first leg match, goading from both sets of fans seemed to trigger the violence. An estimated 4,000 United supporters took their seats two hours early and rival supporters began throwing missiles before the kick-off.

Tension returned after United midfielder Paul Scholes was sent off shortly after the half-hour mark.

It escalated when Roma scored in the 44th minute with both sets of fans throwing missiles at each other across a Perspex barrier.

Roma yobs were allowed to run riot as cops looked on. The thugs charged the barrier to jeer and shout insults at Reds fans. The cops — who were all on the Brits’ side of the partition — did not try to stop them. They steamed in only when the English started retaliating.

When Wayne Rooney equalised in the 60th minute, missiles were lobbed by Roma yobs.

The Italians rallied to the barrier to smash their fists against it.

Announcements threatened to halt the match, which Roma won 2-1. United fans were kept in the ground for 90 minutes after the game.

TV analyst David Platt, the former England captain, slammed the brutality. He said: “You can’t condone what the Italian police are doing.

“It’s one thing stopping any trouble — but they are fuelling the fire because they are fighting.”

United fan Stuart Gallagher, 29, fled the ground when cops attacked.

The electrician from Hemel Hempstead, Herts, at the game with girlfriend Debbie Rogers, 23, said: “The police just wanted trouble. They were really psyched up.

“One girl got pushed by cops down a flight of steps. As she lay on concrete, they hit her on the chest with batons — they were animals.”

Before the game, Sun photographer Jim Clarke became a victim as he tried to photograph the clashes. Jim, 45, was booted in the stomach by one thug — and then had £4,000 worth of camera equipment stolen by a masked gang.

The yobs wielded huge sticks and wrapped belts around their knuckles as they ripped the equipment from the Sun man’s neck. Jim said: “I thought I was going to be battered. I really feared for my safety.”

Fan Kerry Davies, 30, added: “Before the game we were attacked by Roma fans with machetes and knives — but police tear-gassed us.”

Fans heading home early this morning told of their experiences.

Jermaine Ward, 18, from Manchester, had cuts on his head and face. Speaking at Rome airport he said: “The police beat me just because I was standing in an aisle. They smashed me seven times on the head.”

Joe Leishman, 33, who had an arm in a sling, said: “Four cops whacked me with batons. It was shocking.”

United had posted a warning on their website this week, instructing fans to avoid certain areas of the city and not to use the city’s metro.

David Taylor, whose tour company First Option took 2,000 fans to the game, said: “Every time we come to Rome the same thing happens.”

UEFA announced they will hold an inquiry.

Sixth Boca hooligans sentenced to prison terms - 05/04/2007

Source: Xinhua

The last of six Argentine football hooligans sentenced to prison terms for crimes related to a 1999 stadium battle turned himself in on Wednesday, legal sources said.

Boca Juniors supporter Juan Castro had been on the run for nearly one month after being sentenced to four-and-a-year in jail for his part in the riot at a game against Chacarita Juniors.

The other five Boca fans including Rafael Di Zeo, the country's most notorious hooligan who was sentenced to four years, turned themselves in last Thursday.

The six are all members of the organized supporters club known as La Doce (The 12th Man), of which Di Zeo -- a well-known figure who only weeks ago posed on the the front cover of a magazine alongside a sports utility vehicle and bikini-clad woman -- is the leader.

The sentences are seen as a test for a justice system trying to crack down on a wave of stadium violence.

Many organized hooligan groups in Argentina make money from extortion, threatening clubs with violence or mayhem unless they get kickbacks.

Greece: Drastic measures against hooliganism planned - 05/04/2007

Source : Athens News Agency

The government on Wednesday said it would take drastic measures to curb hooliganism and sports-related violence, including a radical overhaul of laws governing the formation of fan associations by club supporters.

Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said the move was decided on Wednesday during the first meeting of a new government committee for tackling sports violence, made up of Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos, Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras, Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras and himself.

"First, we will abolish the current law on the associations. After Easter a new bill will be discussed and voted on. Secondly, we decided to upgrade the service dealing with violence, that operates within the public order ministry. At the same time, cooperation between the police and the teams before matches will be made more systematic, in order to eradicate the risk of incidents. Thirdly, there will be a campaign to inform and sensitise public opinion to violence," Roussopoulos said.

The minister pointed out that there were 270 fan clubs in Greece, the majority of which were hotbeds for violence. He noted that the law currently in force sent trouble-makers straight to jail, underlining that 19 hooligans had already be sent to prison.

Finally, he reminded reporters that a new system where match tickets would be issued electronically and by name will start being enforced from the next season, when stadiums will also be equipped with cameras.

Two Man United fans remain in Rome hospital following soccer clashes - 05/04/2007

Source : Herald Tribune

Two Manchester United fans who were stabbed during clashes before a Champions League match with AS Roma remained hospitalized Thursday and are expected to live.

Rome prefect Achille Serra said the fans were stabbed in either the groin or backside during clashes with Roma supporters. A total of 18 fans were reported injured and Serra said at least three were Italian.

"On both sides there is a category of violent imbeciles who use knives," Serra said at a news conference Thursday.

Meanwhile, three United fans who were arrested by Italian police in a separate clash during Wednesday's quarterfinal first leg at the Stadio Olimpico will face fast-tracked trials, the British Embassy in Italy said. It was not immediately clear what charges the three Britons will face.

Shortly before halftime, police in riot gear clashed with some of United's 4,500 fans. Police hit fans with batons as opposing fans taunted and threw objects at each other across the partition separating the rival sections. At least one fan was seen lying in the stands with blood all over his face.

Steven Fitzsimons, the fan who was stabbed in the groin, told AP Television News that he and his friends were ambushed by Roma fans outside the stadium and that there were no police around.

"I got hit in the back of the head, I stumbled to the floor," he said "When I got up, we were surrounded by Roma fans all with knives. They just attacked us, stabbed us and that was basically it."

Fitzsimons, who was taken to the San Giacomo hospital, said the police still hadn't interviewed him.

Roma won 2-1. The second leg in Manchester is on Tuesday.

UEFA expects to announce later Thursday whether it will open any disciplinary hearings.

"We are waiting to look over the information from the reports of the delegate, the match official and the safety and security officer before deciding whether to open a disciplinary hearing, or what the charges might be and the dates," UEFA spokesman Robert Faulkner said.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to confirm whether we will open a disciplinary hearing and give some kind of indication of what direction it will take and what the potential charges might be. Whether both clubs or one club will be involved, the owner who is in charge of the security, that kind of thing," he added.

Tensions were high after United issued a pre-game warning on its Web site to fans traveling to Rome. It told fans to avoid certain areas of the city and not to use the train system because "there is a real danger of being attacked by the 'Ultra' fans of AS Roma." Rome officials said it would inflame tensions.

Manchester United said Thursday in a statement that it would look into the police clashes with fans.

"There were clearly some very disturbing scenes in the stadium on Wednesday night," the club said on its Web site. "Until we have had chance to discuss the situation with the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian authorities and to understand the cause, it would be inappropriate to comment."

Former referee Anders Frisk, who attended the match, told Britain's Sky Sports News that Italian police overreacted.

"What caused it was something that had been thrown," he said. "The Italian police reacted very, very aggressively toward one or two incidents."

In 2004, the Swedish referee was hit in the head by an object thrown by a fan during a Champions League match between AS Roma and Dynamo Kiev in Rome. He was taken to the hospital with a bleeding forehead, and Dynamo was later awarded a forfeit victory.

"It was very bad for me to be back at the Olympic Stadium and witness what was once again not good for football," he said.

FC Sevilla - Tottenham - 05/04/2007

Source : Sportinglife + Reuters

Crowd Trouble Mars Spurs Game

Crowd trouble broke out during Thursday night's UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg between Sevilla and Tottenham.

Riot police were needed to separate both sets of supporters outside the Primer Liga club's ground prior to kick-off.

And, less than half an hour into the game, trouble erupted in the enclosure housing the 4,000 Spurs supporters.

The disturbances appeared to be dying down when Alexander Kerzhakov headed the Spanish side into a 36th-minute lead.

The goal did little for the mood of the Tottenham fans, and more riot police were drafted into the stadium in a bid to bring the situation under control.

The disturbances were in the corner of the stadium where the Spurs fans were located, with riot police entering the section.

Seats and punches were thrown as the Spurs fans clashed with the police during the first half.

The trouble continued into the half-time interval at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Around 15-20 riot police moved in as more seats - and punches - were thrown.

Daniel Wynne of Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust, who was among the Spurs fans at the game, told Sky Sports News: "After the equaliser, we saw there was a bit of animosity down in the lower tier.

"Police started throwing their weight around, for want of a better term.

"The supporters were trying to calm things down but it looked like the Spanish police, from where we were, started jabbing at them with batons."

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Police intervene to deal with Spurs fans in Sevilla

Spanish riot police clashed with Tottenham Hotspur fans during the first half of their side's UEFA Cup quarter-final, first leg at Sevilla on Thursday.

Local television reported that a number of Tottenham supporters had entered an unauthorised part of the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and were being removed by the police.

Television pictures showed police massing at one end of the stadium while fans confronted them as they moved in. Commentators said seats and missiles were thrown.

Local authorities provided an area for visiting fans close to the city's main railway station to provide them with beer and food in the run-up to the match in the hope of keeping them clear of the city centre where large numbers of people are involved in Holy Week religious processions.

The disturbances in the stadium come 24 hours after 18 fans -- 14 English and four Italian -- were hurt in trouble in Rome where AS Roma beat Manchester United in the Champions League.










Source: Reuters

Spurs fans clash with police at Sevilla match

A number of Tottenham Hotspur fans were injured after clashing with Spanish riot police during the first half of their side's UEFA Cup quarter-final, first leg at Sevilla on Thursday.

Local television reported that a group of Tottenham supporters had entered an unauthorised part of the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and had been removed by the police.

Television pictures showed police massing at one end of the stadium while fans confronted them as they moved in, with seats and missiles being thrown at the police.

The trouble appeared to die down in the second half and riot police withdrew from the area.

An ITV reporter at the match said that eight people, seven of whom were Tottenham fans, had been taken to hospital with injuries that included cuts, bruises and a broken wrist.

One policeman was also reported to have been taken to hospital.

Local authorities provided an area for the estimated 4,000 visiting fans close to the city's main railway station to provide them with beer and food in the run-up to the match in the hope of keeping them clear of the city centre where large numbers of people are involved in Holy Week religious processions.

The disturbances in the stadium came 24 hours after 18 fans -- 14 English and four Italian -- were hurt in trouble in Rome where AS Roma beat Manchester United in the Champions League.






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Before the match, about 50 Tottenham fans reportedly clashed with police outside the stadium.

Football violence raises old demons - 06/04/2007

Source: Reuters

An injured Tottenham Hotspur supporter watches a match between Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur in Seville
view photo

LONDON (Reuters) - If the ugly scenes witnessed in Rome and Seville are anything to go by the unattractive face of the Beautiful Game has come snarling back to life.

Manchester United fans in Italy and Tottenham Hotspur supporters in Spain have clashed with baton-wielding riot police during United's Champions League match against AS Roma and Spurs' UEFA Cup game against Sevilla.

It is too early to judge for sure whether what has happened heralds a return to the dark ages of the 1970s and 1980s when English fans exported a particular brand of thuggery.

Wednesday's events in Rome and Thursday's in Seville have involved travelling English fans and some heavy-handed police brutality rather than old-fashioned fighting between rival sets of supporters - although there was something of that involved.

What is certain is that these incidents are just the latest in a growing number of violent confrontations at high-profile European matches and UEFA, and its new president Michel Platini, need to act fast to nip this growing problem in the bud before football is pitched back into the mess of two decades ago.

UEFA should go beyond punishing clubs with paltry fines and ground closures and consider kicking out every club which cannot police and steward fans safely.

English clubs have learnt their lessons from the disasters of the past with safe grounds, modern stadiums and, in the main, excellent security control at matches played in England.

Now UEFA should ensure that every other country emulates England's domestic standards -- or refuse clubs permission to play in their competitions.

FAR WORSE

Wednesday's violence in Rome appears to have been far worse than that which occurred in Seville, even though a number of Spurs fans ended up in hospital.

What UEFA needs to establish immediately is what has caused two similar incidents in two countries 24 hours apart.

To paint a picture of innocent Manchester United and Spurs fans being provoked by aggressive Roma or Sevilla supporters and then battered by vicious Italian and Spanish police would be too simplistic.

There is often an under-current of potential violence among groups of English fans both at home and in Europe.

However, suggestions made on Thursday by Italian officials that United fans came looking for trouble appear wide of the mark. The ones with the weapons were the Roma fans and the Italian police and most of those on the receiving end were United fans.

Without doubt, stadium security in Italy is not as good as it is in England. The death of Italian policeman Filippo Raciti during rioting at a Serie A match between Catania and Palermo in early February was proof of that.

Measures have since been taken to improve the security at many of Italy's outdated grounds.

SERIOUS CONCERN

The structures, however, are only part of the problem. Wednesday night's violence highlighted the other serious concern -- who is responsible for the safety of fans once inside the ground.

At the moment city councils send in ordinary police, who do little more than keep rivals supporters apart.

Many in the country have suggested that the clubs themselves should take responsibility for safety by employing specially-trained stewards to stamp out violent behaviour by individuals before it spreads.

For those who follow Italian football closely, the images of policemen thumping fans are depressingly familiar.

But the rank and file of Italian police are, in the main, poorly paid and do a thankless job. The average Italian policeman earns about 1,400 euros a month. They do not get extra for keeping rival sets of fans apart on matchdays.

Faced with 5,000 angry Manchester United fans, who were shouting words they did not understand and who were trying to break through their lines to reach the taunting Roma supporters the Italian police lost their cool and lashed out.

Where this leaves Italy's bid for Euro 2012 is anybody's guess.

Though the bid is considered a strong favourite to beat off rival joint bids by Hungary and Croatia, and Poland and Ukraine, the images will still be fresh in the minds of UEFA's executive committee when they vote in Cardiff on April 18.

But unless UEFA are certain that a match can be policed properly, that properly trained stewards search fans on arrival and the risk of danger to home and visiting fans is minimal, they should not sanction a game to take place.

President Platini has many problems to solve in his new job and making sure international events can take place in modern safe conditions in places like Rome and Seville must be at the top of his agenda.


Visiting Tottenham fans fight with police in riot gear during the UEFA cup quarterfinal, first leg match between Seville and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Source : The Sun



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Source : Daily mail



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Source : Press

Spurs back probe into Sevilla trouble - 06/04/2007

Source: Teamtalk

Tottenham have pledged to fully support UEFA and the Spanish and British authorities as the probe into trouble in Seville gets underway.European football's governing body are certain to launch a probe into the violence which marred Spurs' UEFA Cup match in Spain.

The quarter-final first leg match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium ended in a 2-1 win for Sevilla but events on the pitch were overshadowed by disturbances off it, with Tottenham fans battling with riot police, seats being thrown.

Reports in Spain suggested eight people had been taken to hospital with minor injuries. Seven were reported to be Tottenham fans, one with a suspected broken wrist, with one policeman allegedly also injured.

The incidents came just 24 hours after riot police confronted Manchester United fans during their side's Champions League game with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

"The club will be working with the appropriate authorities to ascertain the events of this evening in Seville," said a Tottenham statement. "Our initial reports suggest there was no fan-to-fan fighting at any stage of the proceedings.

"As such we are seeking explanations as to why the police reacted in the way they did with our fans.

"Tottenham Hotspur supporters have enjoyed an exemplary reputation across Europe this season which is why tonight's events are unprecedented.

"We will be co-operating fully with UEFA, the British Embassy and the Spanish authorities to understand why this has happened.

"British Police, the club's security officials, and club stewards - supported by British Embassy officials - will also be providing the Spanish authorities and UEFA with full statements from their first-hand experience of what happened tonight."

UEFA communications director William Gaillard said: "Any incidents of crowd trouble in the Sevilla against Tottenham match will be investigated by UEFA.

"We will study the reports from the referee and the UEFA match delegate."

Less than half an hour into the game, trouble erupted in the enclosure housing the 4,000 Spurs supporters, where riot police were deployed.

The disturbances appeared to be dying down when Alexander Kerzhakov headed the Spanish side into a 2-1 lead in the 36th minute.

But the goal did little for the mood of the Tottenham fans, and more riot police were drafted into the stadium in a bid to bring the situation under control.

Seats and punches were thrown as the the clashes continued during the half-time interval.

However, things settled down following the departure of the riot police from the Spurs enclosure at the start of the second half.

Although this meant there was little segregation between the two sets of supporters, there was no repeat of the violent scenes in the second half as fans focused on the action.

Earlier, police were needed to separate both sets of supporters outside the ground prior to kick-off.

The incident occurred about an hour before the start of the match as Tottenham fans made their way towards the ground.

A group of around 50 Spurs fans were chanting, gesticulating and causing an obstruction for passing vehicles in the street opposite a hotel where the Sevilla team were located.

Sevilla fans were also congregated outside the hotel, which was only a couple of hundred yards from the stadium, waiting for their team to board the bus.

A couple of cups of liquid were thrown from the area where the Spurs fans were standing and, as the visiting supporters moved closer to the Sevilla team bus, the riot police intervened.

The Spurs fans were pushed back by around five or six officers, some of whom had batons drawn.

Hajduk Split - Dinamo Zagreb - 04/04/2007

Source : ANSA + vecernji.hr + hnkhajduk.com + BBB website

Before the game, 40 Dynamo supporters (Bad Blue Boys) were arrested. Fights errupted at the end of the game too.

Toulouse FC - Saint Etienne - 01/04/2007

source: forums + mail

A good fight errupted between 25 Magic Fans and 35 locals. Police had to intervened. Ultras from Bordeaux (ultramarines) and Brescia (one bus) made the trip with Saint-Etienne Ultras.

Spurs demand answers - 06/04/2007

Source : 4TheGame

Tottenham have demanded answers from the Spanish authorities after claiming that riot police attacked their disabled supporters at the UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg defeat at Sevilla.

UEFA will investigate the disturbing scenes that came just 24 hours after trouble marred Manchester United's Champions League clash against AS Roma in the Italian capital.

Spurs' club secretary John Alexander said: "Our supporters have been on four trips into Europe before this and have behaved impeccably so something was clearly different in the way they were treated last night to suffer this sort of response.

"We really need to get to the bottom of just what the police were trying to do when they entered those segregation lines.

"We have been distressed to hear about incidents involving our supporters at a time when they were showing no aggression whatsoever and also in respect of our disabled supporters being set upon by the Spanish riot police.

"We need to understand how we are in a position whereby we have two clearly identifiable Spurs stewards assaulted by the Spanish police, along with our disability co-ordinator being injured too.

"Both the club and the local authorities had worked very hard to try and respect what was happening in Seville over the Easter period and arrangements were put in place that the fans appreciated.

"They had a good time in the town and were mixing quite freely with no signs at all of what was to come."

Reports in Spain claimed around seven Spurs fans and a local policeman were taken to hospital with minor injuries following repeated clashes in an area of Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan stadium holding 4,000 travelling supporters in a match the north London club lost 2-1.

POLICE CHIEF DEFENDS TACTICS - 06/04/2007

Source : Sportinglife

Rome's Prefect of Police Achille Serra has claimed his men had no choice but to quell trouble between Roma and Manchester United supporters on Wednesday and claimed the officers on duty had come under threat from English supporters.

Serra was speaking at a press conference in Rome in which he showed video images to back up his version of events in which he claimed United fans provoked the trouble.

Serra said: "At the moment when Roma scored the first goal, 100 or 200 drunken (United) supporters can be seen rushing towards the see-through barrier that separated the visiting enclosure from the Curva Nord.

"And from that part (the Curva Nord, where Roma fans were gathered) some stonethrowers rushed towards the English sector but were restrained by the stewards.

"At that point the intervention of agents (policeman) was necessary to secure the see-through barrier to avoid a clash between the two sets of supporters that would have been impossible to manage."

The chief also claimed his own men had been placed in danger.

"They were surrounded by around 300 fans with their backs to the barrier without the possibility of reaction," said Serra.

"And on the film you can see an English fan with his face covered who is inciting the other supporters to attack the police.

"And it does not end there - there are another 20 seconds in which bottles were thrown and 15 seating covers by drunken and angry fans."

Regarding the tactics used by police to quell the trouble, Serra said: "These are high-risk games and if there has been any excess action will certainly be taken.

"But at the moment it does not seem to me that the police acted in an incorrect manner."