Season 07/08 - July

Verta Vilnius - Legia Varsovie - 08/07/2007

Source : The Associated Press

Intertoto Cup match abandoned after fans storm field, clash with police at halftime

The Intertoto Cup match between Vetra FC and Legia Warsaw was abandoned at halftime Sunday after Polish fans stormed the field and clashed with riot police.

Vetra was leading 2-0 when hundreds of Legia Warsaw fans ran onto the field during the break, trying to tear down the goal nets and vandalizing billboards. The players and match officials had left the field.

Lithuanian TV pictures showed police in riot gear using tear gas to disperse the hooligans. One officer received minor injuries, and about 100 fans were arrested, Lithuanian police said. Most of those arrested were later released.

A handful of fans, including a woman, were also injured, but none of them seriously, police said.

The referee immediately abandoned the match. The teams never came back out on the field.

It was not immediately clear whether the result would stand or what UEFA's response was.



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Source : Reuters

Rioting Polish fans halt Intertoto Cup match



A low-key Intertoto Cup match between Vetra Vilnius of Lithuania and Legia Warsaw of Poland was abandoned at halftime on Sunday after Polish fans attacked police with metal bars and stones.

The incident comes just 10 weeks after Poland were awarded the right to co-host the 2012 European championships with Ukraine by UEFA, European soccer's governing body, and could have wider implications.

Polish news agency PAP reported that some of the 3,000 travelling Legia fans attacked Lithuanian police during their second round, first leg match against Vetra in the Lithuanian capital.

The match was abandoned at halftime with Vetra leading 2-0.

Police used tear gas and water canons to try to disperse the hooligans and the battles continued for around 30 minutes. Nine Polish fans were arrested, the Baltic News Agency BNS reported in Vilnius.

UEFA will now be mounting an investigation into the incident which is without parallel in the competition, used as a qualifier for the opening rounds of the UEFA Cup.

PAP said Polish fans were armed with metal bars stones and flares. They smashed down the pitch side barriers and invaded the field during the halftime interval causing the match to be abandoned.

The president of Legia said he was shocked by the incident and that his club was prepared for the consequences.

"We are prepared for any decision UEFA will make," Leszek Miklas was quoted as saying by the Web site www.legia.net.

"I am really shocked that people from a civilised country can behave like this. These people are savages who cannot live in a normal society,"

Michal Listkiewicz, the chairman of Polish Football Association said the penalty for Legia would be "huge".

"A huge price will be paid for this and I do not rule out an exclusion from the cup," he told the Web site.

He also said that the match result would probably be revised to a 3-0 victory for the Lithuanians. The second leg is due to be played next Saturday.

VIDEO : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7GFFr-galA

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Source : onlinesport.ro






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Source : Mail (Thx to the sender)

Rugby and fight - 09/07/2007

Source : terrace.splinder.com

IT'S supposed to be one of the most family-friendly sports in the world.

But trouble flared at a rugby league game yesterday as rival fans stormed the pitch and started fighting.

Police and stewards intervened at the end of the 201st derby match between Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers to quell a rare outbreak of crowd violence.

It is the latest blow to the city devastated by recent flooding.

There were reports that Hull FC centre Kirk Yeaman may have been attacked.

Both clubs said they would take steps to identify those fans involved and ban them from their own grounds. Paul Lakin, Hull KR's chief executive, said: "Clearly both clubs are very disappointed."

And Hull FC boss James Rule said the violence "takes the gloss off another great derby".

About 80 Hull FC fans went on to the pitch at KR's Craven Park ground to congratulate their team on their 30-20 win. Around 20 KR supporters also piled on to the pitch and the rivals clashed.

Mr Lakin added: "Both clubs will be holding a full investigation into any incidents evolving from the fans running on to the pitch. We'll be working together and in the case of any perpetrators that are found on camera and identified, both clubs will ban the relevant fans from their own grounds."

Mr Rule said: "There was one incident I saw and we'll be looking to identify them and we'll ban them from our stadium for life."

Police said five fans were arrested for public order offences.

The Rugby Football League said it was investigating.

The last outbreak of serious trouble was seven years ago. Hull FC fans uprooted goalposts after they lost the Challenge Cup semifinal to Leeds 22-28 in Huddersfield.




Thx to the sender !

Rapid Wien - Slovan Bratislava -07/07/2007

Source : Forum

In city was fight 40 Slovan against 30 Rapid (mainly Alte Garde group,nobody from Ultras Rapid) .Slovan after 1 minute win.
On stadium very good fight Slovan against police.






















VIDEO : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Nv7luCLvg

16 Polish fans sentenced for riot during Intertoto Cup match in Lithuania - 10/07/2007

Source : AFP

Seven Polish soccer fans were given short jail sentences and nine others were fined for the violence that erupted at an Intertoto Cup match when supporters stormed the field.

The jail sentences handed out by a Vilnius court on Tuesday were all between five to 15 days, while nine people were fined 300 litas (€87; US$125) for violating public order. All those sentenced were Polish males.

The match between Lithuania's Vetra FC and Poland's Legia was called off at halftime Sunday after the rioting broke out.

Vetra was leading 2-0 at the break when hundreds of Legia fans ran onto the field and then attempted to tear down the goals and vandalize billboards. Dozens of Polish fans were arrested.

Lithuanian TV showed police in riot gear using tear gas to disperse the hooligans. Six police officers and one Lithuanian Vetra fan were slightly injured during the clash.

Vetra officials blamed police for not beefing up security before the match and failing to erect barricades between the stands and the field. Police spokesman Jonas Zautra, however, said Vetra's management was at fault for failing to inform police that some 3,000 Polish fans were headed to Vilnius to watch the game.

Cobblers hooligans banned and jailed - 09/07/2007

Source : Northampton Chronicle & Echo

THREE Northampton Town fans have been banned from all football stadiums in the country until 2013 and given lengthy jail sentences for their part in a violent brawl after an FA Cup tie.
David Mobley, Mark Arbery and Craig Mabee got involved in a fight in the Kings Cross area of London after the Cobblers' third round FA Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in December.

They appeared at Wood Green Crown Court, in London, for sentencing on Thursday, July 5, after being found guilty of violent disorder along with fans from Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City.

Mobley and Arbery will serve 18 months in jail, while Mabee has been locked up for 12 months.

All three have been barred from grounds around the country for the next six years.

Cobblers spokesman Gareth Willsher welcomed the result.

He said: "These custodial sentences show the authorities are taking a tough stance against violence from football fans, and that if you get involved in incidents like this, you will be punished. These fans will now suffer harshly as a result of their actions.

"Fortunately, this type of behaviour among fans of our club is few and far between."

The trio and a fourth fan were followed back to Northampton by officers from the Metropolitan Police after the fight, and then arrested by Northamptonshire officers.

Mobley, aged 39, of Glebe Farm Close in Collingtree, and Arbery, aged 44, from Newport Pagnell, were both found guilty on Wednesday, June 4 after a two-day trial, while 20-year-old Mabee, from Barley Lane in Kingsthorpe, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Simon Skipworth, aged 28, from St John's Court, Northampton, was acquitted of the same charge.

Their sentences follow the banning from every football ground in the country of Cobblers fan Mark Brooksbank, of Brockwood Close, Duston.

He pleaded guilty at Blackpool Magistrates' Court to throwing a half-full bottle of water on to the pitch at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road ground when the Cobblers played there on April 14. He was banned for three years and fined £250 with £65 costs.

YB Bern - Borussia Dortmund - 11/07/2007

Source : Forum

8 fans from Dortmund and 7 from Young Boys was arrested by police.

UEFA ban Legia over Intertoto violence - 11/07/2007

Source : Reuters

UEFA banned Poland's Legia Warsaw from European competition for two seasons on Wednesday in response to "ugly and shocking" crowd scenes during an Intertoto Cup match.

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body announced that Legia would be thrown out of this season's competition and also barred from an additional European campaign should they qualify within the next five years.

Legia were trailing 2-0 away to Lithuanian team Vetra Vilnius in Sunday's second round, first leg match when Polish fans embarked on a halftime rampage, attacking police with metal bars and stones and causing damage to the stadium.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, said the abandoned match would be turned into a 3-0 victory for Vetra who will go on to face English side Blackburn Rovers in the third round.

Legia have also been ordered to arrange compensation with Vetra in regard to the stadium damage.

The Polish club was not available for comment.

Although Legia have promised to crack down on fans involved in Sunday's violence, the disciplinary body noted that this was not the first time it had dealt with the Polish club.

The latest incidents occurred just 10 weeks after Poland were awarded the right by UEFA to co-host the 2012 European championship finals with Ukraine.

"Legia must react quickly and firmly if the club wishes to participate in UEFA competition in future," the disciplinary body concluded.

"With Legia's considerable disciplinary record for away matches, the duty of playing matches against Legia becomes a tall order that UEFA cannot afford to support any longer."

A Polish official in charge of preparations for Euro 2012 said the incident should not harm Poland's image ahead of the tournament, adding that new stadiums should prevent such acts.

"We will be ready to provide fans with safe stadiums that will stop aggressive hooligans from entering the pitch," said Maciej Grzeskowiak of the Euro 2012 organising committee.

Legia has until Saturday to appeal against UEFA's sanction.




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Source : Mail

After that game, Legia fans are banned for going on any kind of european and polish club games. For 3 years.
Club of Legia is also banned for playing in european cups by next 2 years

Bordeaux - OM (played in Dax) - 11/07/2007

Source : Press

Blackpool football hooligans sentenced - 12/07/2007

Source : Rock FM

Blackpool Police Kick Football Hooligans into Touch

POLICE in Blackpool are determined to show the red card to football hooligans this season as the Seasiders move up a league.

Since winning promotion to the Championship at the end of last season, the tangerine army will be looking forward to welcoming visiting teams and fans from across the country to the resort this year.

And with the majority of genuine supporters hoping to see all the action on the pitch, police are warning would-be hooligans that they will not be welcome.

Inspector Dave Old said: "Everyone is looking forward to a season of top quality football as the team aims to build on the success of last year. The Championship will present a host of new challenges for the team – including a number of hotly contested local derby matches. And the policing plan will be as robust, if not more so, than last year.

"We want to ensure the town is a safe and friendly environment for all home and away supporters and we will not tolerate anti-social or criminal behaviour by anyone coming to see matches at Bloomfield Road."

The Constabulary has already demonstrated its commitment to defeating football hooliganism by prosecuting offenders and using banning orders to kick them out of football.

Today, six people were sentenced at Preston Crown Court for their involvement in the pre- and post-match disorder on 4 February 2006 at the Blackpool v Notts Forest League One fixture.

Mark NICHOLSON (23), of Church Street, Blackpool was sentenced to three years in prison for violent disorder, with the latter two years suspended, and given an eight-year football banning order.

Shane FOLEY (18 ), of Fulwood Avenue, Blackpool was sentenced to four months in prison for a public order offence, and given a three-year football banning order.

David OSMENT (35), Powell Avenue, Blackpool was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence for affray, a two-month curfew, ordered to do 100 hours of community work, and a four-year football banning order.

Jay FOREY (26), of Whitebirk Drive, Blackpool was given a four-month suspended prison sentence, a two-month curfew, ordered to do 200 hours of community work, and a three-year football banning order.

Stephen RUSSELL (35), of Troutbeck Crescent, Blackpool was given a four-month suspended prison sentence, a two-month curfew, ordered to do 200 hours of community work, and a three-year football banning order.

Andrew SCOTT (33), of Caroline Street was given a four-month suspended prison sentence, a two-month curfew, ordered to do 300 hours of community work, and a four-year football banning order.

In addition, all the football banning orders have conditions attached that include exclusion maps and non-association with each other on match days.

Added Inspector Old: "This was the culmination of a significant enquiry and builds on the work being done to secure banning orders for known football hooligans.

"My message this season is clear. Come to enjoy the football and Blackpool will make you most welcome. Come to cause trouble and we will tackle you."

Oxford United thug banned - 12/07/2007

Source : Oxford Mail

A football fan described as a 'top dog' in an Oxford United hooligan firm' has been handed the longest ever banning order in Oxfordshire.

Patrick Vigilante is believed by police to be one of the key orchestrators behind football violence in Oxford United's South Midlands Hit Squad hooligan gang.

A court has now banned Vigilante, 40, from attending any U's match or England clash for the next four years.

Vigilante, of Bibury Place, Witney, has received three previous banning orders for football violence in the past 16 years.

Police said they have been aware of Vigilante's role in the local hooligan movement since the early 1990s, considering him to command respect from members of the supporters' hooligan firm and may orchestrate fights with rival fans.

Pc Steve Norman, football liaison officer for Oxfordshire, said: "Vigilante is believed to be one of the organisers - one of the top dogs."

advertisementVigilante was arrested following trouble between about 100 Oxford United and York City fans in September last year.

Children and residents were forced to run for cover after bottles were hurled, insults traded and punches thrown, in Merlin Road, Blackbird Leys, before the match.

Dc Huw James, Oxford's football intelligence officer, said: "He has involved himself in football hooliganism now for 15 or 20 years.

"He has built up an association with a number of other hooligans and within that group he has a certain status which enables him to organise or be involved in football disorder."

Dc James added there were up to 50 fans considered to be in the group which Vigilante is believed to have a leading role.

He said: "Vigilante has an influence in Oxford's risk group and if he is there on a given day it will add an extra element to that risk. In effect, we have more concern of disorder on that day.

"There is no doubt that in the supporters risk group a lot of them are, by association, or aspire to be, in the South Midlands Hit Squad, but then deny it exists. Vigilante is very much part of that group."

Police believe the fight was pre-arranged and York City fans were given directions and bus routes by U's hooligans.

Vigilante - formerly known as Patrick Jones - was convicted at Oxford Magistrates' Court last week for a public order offence.

He was given a four-year banning order at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Mick Brown, general manager for Oxford United, said: "This is not the type of person we are trying to attract to matches and incidents like this does not improve the image of the game. Thankfully it is a very rare occurrence and we are pleased the court has seen fit to hand out this banning order."

Nine York City fans and five from Oxford United have now been convicted following the trouble.

Jeffrey James, 37, of Flatford Place, Kidlington, and Paul Woodburn, 38, of Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell, have each been fined £150 for their roles.

Liam Walker, 28, of Cherwell Drive, Kidlington, and George Polichelli, 25, of Poplar Grove, Kennington, are to be sentenced on July 30.

Builder Patrick Vigilante denies police accusations he is a leading Oxford United football hooligan.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said: "Sure, I have been in trouble in the past. But as far as being one of the organisers of football violence, that is ridiculous.

"I find it hard to believe police say this stuff with no evidence. Which fights, where and when do I organise them? If organising trouble was my day job I would be out of work because there hasn't been any trouble for ages."

Vigilante, a director for CV Building Contactors in Banbury Road, Oxford, added he did not believe the clash with York City was prearranged.

He said he was on the fringes of the trouble after walking past the two gangs of rival supporters on the way to the match, but was spotted by police because of his reputation following previous banning orders.

Vigilante also denied the so-called South Midlands Hit Squad hooligan firm existed.

"I've never been a member of any firm. It's strange where they get these things from.

"I laugh about it now, but when you read about it in the papers it affects my children, my wife and my life. It reflects badly on everything I do. I don't get into trouble, I pay my taxes and go to work. I can't believe I'm supposed to be this person who I am reading about," he added.

Vigilante said he had been to watch Oxford United about 10 times in the past two seasons, has never followed England abroad and does not know any football hooligans.

He said: "Nine times out of 10 on a Saturday afternoon I'm outside in my garden or playing golf, so I must be organising it from miles away.

"I've been an Oxford United fan all my life but even after the ban ends I don't think I'll ever go again."

Vigilante's football violence convictions: 1991: A 12-month banning order for a public order offence at a football match 1994: Fined £500 for fighting with Chelsea fans after an FA Cup tie 1996: Fined £200 for threatening a rival supporter 1997: Banned from matches for 18 months after football violence 1999: Admitted causing actual bodily harm to a Stockport County fan after a home match 1999: Banned from Premiership and Football League games for two years 2000: Fined £5,000 after being convicted of fighting rival supporters when England played Scotland.

Torquay United - Plymouth Argyle - 14/07/2007

Source : South Devon Herald Express

POLICE SWOOP ON ARGYLE FANS

Two men were arrested by police in a disturbance following Torquay United's home match against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

The men were among a group of about 20 Argyle supporters who had stopped off in Newton Abbot.Although there were no police at Plainmoor for the match, officers were out in force elsewhere amid fears rivalry between the Devon clubs might spark trouble.

The group was outside the Saracen's Head pub in Fairfield Terrace when a disagreement flared up and passers-by said they saw about 30 police officers swoop on the Argyle supporters.

A police spokesman said: "The match itself was not policed, although police paid close attention to Plymouth Argyle-related groups who were present in Newton Abbot and Paignton.

"Police were on hand quickly to deal with disorder outside the Saracens Head public house as a group waited nearby for their train to Plymouth.

"A dispute within the group led to disorder. The group consisted of about 15 to 20 people, believed to be Plymouth Argyle fans making their way home.

"Police made two arrests for public order offences. A healthy police presence prevented other confrontations.

"Most of the fans were escorted to the train. We had quite a lot of resources there for it."

The match was a testimonial for Torquay United stalwart Kevin Hill, who was marking 10 years with the club. Police said events at Plainmoor for the match has passed off peacefully, with United winning 1-0.

It was not until Argyle fans stopped in Newton Abbot to change trains that some of them became violent.

An onlooker said: "Maybe there were 20 or 25 of them. One of them seemed to be having an intense discussion with another.

"We didn't know they were football fans. Well, you couldn't call them fans - they're hooligans.

"Then one head-butted the other and suddenly the police were there. I think a few people were shaken up by it. I've never been so glad to see the police in my life."

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Source : The Cornishman

ARGYLE-GULLS' FANS CLASH

Football fans believed to be following the same team clashed in a street at Newton Abbot at the weekend.

A group of about 25 Plymouth Argyle supporters were outside the Saracen's Head in Fairfield Avenue, Newton Abbot, when the incident occurred at about 5pm on Saturday.

A witness, who did not want to be named, said: "I saw two of the group getting into a heated discussion and one of the pair head-butted the other."

Police confirmed that two people were arrested, then later released without charge, following "disorder" involving a group outside the pub. It happened as the group waited nearby for a train to the Plymouth area, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The spokesman said it happened after the testimonial match involving Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle, which was said to be a "peaceful event".

The spokesman said: "The match itself was not policed although police paid close attention to Plymouth Argyle groups who were present in Newton Abbot and Paignton without attending Plainmoor Stadium in Torquay.

"Police were on hand quickly to deal with disorder outside the Saracen's Head public house as a group waited nearby for their train to Plymouth. A dispute within the group led to disorder. Police made two arrests. A healthy policing presence prevented other confrontations."

IFA reduces Beitar's bans - 18/07/2007

Source : Ha'aretz

The Israel Football Association plans to deploy private investigators at Beitar Jerusalem's first four home matches in order to check whether the reigning Premier League champion is fulfilling its obligation to prevent the 31 fans who were arrested during disturbances at Winter Stadium in Ramat Gan from attending matches.

In an unprecedented decision yesterday, the IFA disciplinary court decided to give Beitar a choice: either to accept a two-match radius ban without fans, or Beitar has to prevent the 31 fans from attending four of the club's official matches, in the Premier League, State Cup or European competition. Beitar's management had already decided before yesterday to choose banning the fans.

The judges decided to reduce Beitar's punishment for the crowd disturbances at Teddy Stadium after a match in May, and they were quite satisfied with the Premier League club's management regarding its attempts to overcome the phenomenon of rowdy fans.

Football fans charged - 17/07/2007

Source : Hereford Times

Six men from Hereford have been charged with violent disorder following an incident after a match between Hereford United and Shrewsbury Town in April this year.

Police were called to St Owen Street on April 28 after receiving reports of disorder in which a man had been assaulted. A number of people were arrested at the time and an investigation began which led to the charges.

The six men have all been bailed to appear at Hereford Magistrates Court next Wednesday (25th) to answer the public order charges.

Dundee fc - Millwall fc - 14/07/2007

Source : Vitalfootball

Millwall Brought 'Alien' Scenes

Dundee and Millwall met for a pre-season friendly on Saturday and the Millwall fans brought 'alien' scenes of fighting with them to Dundee.

Around 60 people from Dundee both Dundee and Dundee United amongst them met up with about 20 Hibernian and Aberdeen supporters. They 'fans' went looking for Millwall before going in a nearby pub during the match.

Millwall fans left at half time and made there way to another pub and when they got an escort the other bunch knew it was coming and the 'fans' clashed at a roundabout near Dens Road Market.

Police controlled the fight using batons Millwall kept walking down the street and by the time they got there about 20 of the other supporters had regrouped and started fighting again but the 60 Millwall backed off not knowing what had hit them.

A heavy Police presence arrested just eight people who are due to in court today. Six from Dundee, one from Aberdeen and one from London.

Dave MacKinnon praised the Police for their actions and described the scenes as 'alien'. He said, 'It was a pre-season friendly and it is very disappointing that members of the Dundee public have been disrupted because of the bad behaviour of a small minority.'

'In my time at the club I have never experienced anything but good behaviour from the Dundee fans.'

'There were no problems inside the ground and it was basically as a precaution that the police held Millwall fans back after the game to prevent any flashpoint between the supporters.'

'The police and Dundee FC have a really good relationship and the police, as always, have the 100% support of the club.'

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Source : Scotland Courier

Casuals’ plans for battle thwarted

Rival gangs of football casuals had planned to riot on the streets of Dundee following a pre-season friendly match at the weekend, it emerged yesterday.

Well-placed sources told The Courier thugs posing as supporters of Millwall and Dundee had arranged to meet for a fight after the pair’s match at Dens Park on Saturday.

Casuals from Aberdeen and Edinburgh are also believed to have travelled to the city to take part in the street brawl, which was to have happened outside a pub close to the ground.

The game attracted a crowd of 2385 but the action inside the ground passed off without any major incident, bar some verbal sparring between the two supports.

However, it became clear all was not well when a significant number of travelling fans left the ground at half-time and dispersed into the streets around Dens.

It had been anticipated trouble may be a possibility at the fixture—Millwall’s support has a reputation that precedes them—and police reacted quickly to the situation.

Non-emergency calls to the force were downgraded in priority as units from across Dundee rushed to help out. A number of additional police vans were deployed to the area around the grounds and dog handlers were also sent.

Fortunately, the swift actions of the police ensured the rival factions were unable to make their riotous rendezvous and were instead corralled into manageable groups.

Officers then escorted two large groups of travelling supporters down Victoria Road, through Meadowside and Dundee city centre to the rail station where they were boarded on a train to London.

Meanwhile, police at Dens kept the remaining Millwall fans in the ground after the final whistle to ensure there were no potential further flashpoints.

A police spokesman confirmed eight people were arrested and charged with various breaches of the peace following the match.

All eight—six from Dundee, one from London and one from Aberdeen—were remanded in custody and are expected to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court today.

Dundee fan Kenny Samson said it was obvious trouble was brewing.

He said, “A lot of fans started leaving the ground to avoid getting caught up in the trouble. After the match there was a bit of mouthing off between the two groups. They were on either side of the road shouting abuse at each other, but I didn’t see any actual fighting.

“I think a lot of people were expecting something to kick off because Millwall have a reputation for fighting with other supporters.”

Marc Tait (50) was on a bus in Victoria Road when he saw football fans confronting police.

“I saw a scuffle break out and one fan was attacked by four or five other football fans. The police seemed to have everything under control but there were groups of fans who sounded like they had London accents charging the police.”

Dundee FC chief executive Dave Mackinnon said football disturbances were “alien” to the city and condemned the scenes.

However, he praised the police’s handling of events.

Mr Mackinnon said, “It was a pre-season friendly and it is very disappointing that members of the Dundee public have been disrupted because of the bad behaviour of a small minority.

“In my time at the club I have never experienced anything but good behaviour from the Dundee fans.

“There were no problems inside the ground and it was basically as a precaution that the police held Milwall fans back after the game to prevent any flashpoint between the supporters.

“The police and Dundee FC have a really good relationship and the police, as always, have the 100% support of the club.”

Peterborough United - Celtic - 13/07/2007

Source : Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Man to face court over disorder

A Man is to appear before city magistrates on Friday charged with a public order offence following Posh's match with Celtic.
Police say they were called to the Peacock pub in London Road, Peterborough, on Friday evening after the friendly clash which the Scottish champions won 2-1.

A 31-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested and bailed to appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Friday.

A 27-year-old man from Peterborough was arrested and given a fixed penalty fine for a public order offence.

FA Disappointment At Serbia Fine - 14/07/2007

Source : Goal.com

The English Football Association last night spoke of their disappointment at the news that they too would be fined for the fracas between Serbia and England in the recent Under 21 European Championships.

There have been allegations that some of England’s players, including Justin Hoyte and Nedum Onuoha, were subjected to racial abuse from both the Serbian players and fans. There were several confrontations during the match involving players from both sides, as a game developed a nasty edge.

Following a UEFA investigation, Serbia were fined £17,000 for their part, whilst England were fined £2150, something the FA do not agree with. A statement on the FA website said:

“We are very disappointed in this decision as we don't believe that the England players were to blame for this incident. In our view they conducted themselves with great restraint in the face of provocation. We are also disappointed that UEFA's rules do not allow us to appeal.”

The rules which stand, state that if a fine is less than €5000 an appeal cannot be made.

Hull (Rugby): Guilty fans will be banned for life - 09/07/2007

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

Police talk to fans after the unrest on the pitch at Craven ParkHULL's rugby clubs have vowed to "ban for life" anyone found guilty of being involved in the crowd trouble that marred the 201st derby.

Sporadic violence broke out when Hull FC fans invaded the pitch to congratulate their players on their 30-20 win over Hull KR, in front of a crowd of about 9,000 at Craven Park yesterday.

Rovers fans then joined the melee close to the south stand, resulting in a series of violent clashes involving an estimated 100 people.

It has been reported Hull and Great Britain centre Kirk Yeaman may have been attacked during the disturbances and Hull FC captain Lee Radford threatened.

Five people were arrested for public order offences, four of whom have already been issued with £80 fixed-penalty tickets.

The fifth was last night being interviewed by police, who said the violence lasted between three and five minutes.

It did not spill outside the ground, which was hosting a Super League derby between the two teams for the first time.



Humberside Police said there were no reported injuries and just one report of a player being threatened, although they were unable to confirm who that was.

Hull FC fan Anne Newsom, a clerical assistant, of Princes Avenue, west Hull, said: "I haven't seen violence at a rugby match for 20 years.

"I am angry about what happened because I think the stewards allowed Hull FC fans to get on the pitch.

"It spoils it for both sets of fans.

"I saw one elderly FC fan being helped from the ground.

"It looked like she had been injured. She looked shocked and upset."

A Rovers fan said:" My daughter was almost knocked over by Hull fans as they charged on to the pitch near the south stand.

"I have been to all Rovers home games this season and never witnessed this. My daughter has said she is frightened to go now because of the fighting. It was disgusting."

Rovers chief executive Paul Lakin said both clubs were disappointed.

He said: "Both clubs will be holding a full investigation. We'll be working together and both clubs will ban the relevant fans from their grounds."

Hull FC chief executive James Rule said: "I'm very disappointed in the scenes at the end and obviously we need to complete our investigations.

"Predominantly, I think the fans' intention on both sides was to celebrate, but it's unacceptable in the modern era to be trying to get on to a pitch and I would echo Paul's sentiments.

"There was one incident I saw and we'll be looking to identify those involved and we'll ban them from the KC Stadium for life.

"I would expect Paul would do the same."

Mr Rule declined to comment as to whether or not Yeaman was attacked.

He only said: "There's been an allegation that it is possibly the case."

Inspector Tony Forbes, who was the match commander, said: "About 50 to 100 Hull fans walked on to the pitch to celebrate with their players that prompted about 20 Rovers fans to run on to the pitch.

"Fighting started between the two sets of fans and it took us about three minutes, no more than five minutes, to restore peace and order."

Danish police, railway join to fight hooligans - 19/07/2007

Source: Xinhua

The Danish national railway operator is part of a police plan to regulate football fan violence through control checks, said reports from Copenhagen.

National railway operator DSB is taking steps to prevent football violence before it begins by working with the National Police to implement control checks for suspected hooligans on their way to and from football matches, metroXpress newspaper reported Wednesday.

The plan calls for controllers to be placed at stations and in train carriages to keep an eye on troublemakers. The action is in response to the increase in violent episodes and vandalism associated with football matches last year.

Police officers will also be ready to identify and follow potential hooligans on board the trains, according to the report.

Many seasoned, hardcore hooligans have been forced to travel to football matches by train because they have been banned from participating in bus trips organized fan clubs for their members to away matches.

Police have already identified 36 matches in particular this season where hooligans are most likely to cause trouble, it's reported.

The line between fans and hooligans - 18/07/2007

Source : Baltic Times

By now everyone in Lithuania knows the infamous tale of that July 8 match, when what was supposed to be a low-key UEFA Intertoto Cup bout between FK Vetra Vilnius and Poland’s Legia Warsaw turned into anything but. The match was abandoned at half time after Polish fans, upset that their team was losing 2:0, began to riot, attacking police with metal bars, burning flares and lumps of stone.

After witnessing a more typical league match at the Vetros stadium five days after the ill-fated FK Vetra/Legia event, I was able to see why this onslaught from the Legia Warsaw fans came as such a fright to the local fans and authorities.
On this occasion a local derby match between FC Vilnius and Vilnius Vetra ended as a frustrating, goalless draw, but was well supported throughout by everyone present. Both sets of fans were mingling happily around the stadium. There were many families simply enjoying the event, with beer for the parents and tubs of kepta duona (fried garlic rye bread) for the youngsters. This scene was in utter contrast to what occurred on July 8.

When the Legia Warsaw fans stormed the pitch after the half-time whistle blew, the 300-strong Lithuanian police contingent that had been assigned the task of maintaining order at the stadium looked more bewildered than in control.
They appeared to be confused as to how to react when the hooligans picked up advertising signs and used them as makeshift shields. The visitors charged at the line of police, throwing missiles before retreating, each time with little to no retaliation from the authorities. Police were being pushed back helplessly and some hooligans were actually able to snatch riot shields straight from their hands.

The Polish football hooligans were more organized than the Lithuanian police officers and were able to outmaneuver them, not just at the match, but throughout the day. This was despite the fact that officials from FK Vetra had earlier sent a letter to the police force informing them that 2,000 fans were coming and that 500 hundred of them could be aggressive.
What surprised the police most about the riot was how prepared the Warsaw fans were. For a start, unlike most football fans, instead of turning up with replica shirts and club scarves, most of these fans wore hooded tops and plain scarves that were wrapped around the wearers’ faces to conceal their identities.

When they attacked, they attacked in small teams, and after they finally left the stadium they split up into different groups and went in different directions. This strategy lessened their chances of getting caught and gave them more opportunities to carry out acts of vandalism.
This type of behaviour is alien to what the Lithuanian forces are used to dealing with.

Disruptions happen here too, of course, as any fan of Lithuanian basketball can tell you. Crowd trouble often occurs during matches between the top two rival teams in Lithuania – Zalgiris (Kaunas) and Lietuvos Rytas (Vilnius). Games between these two teams can end early these days; if one team gains too much of an advantage in the last quarter then hardcore elements of the opposing fans are likely to indignantly throw a few beer cups onto the court and shout their team’s name loudly in chorus until the game is abandoned.
However it would not be accurate to describe the offenders at these basketball matches as “hooligans.” These sports fans are “ultras,” and there are important differences between the two. Although ultra groups like Lietuvos Rytas and Zalgiris can cause hostilities, the vast majority of matches go ahead without incident.

Unlike football hooligans whose aim is to fight fans of other clubs, the main focus of ultras is to support their own team. Hooligans usually try to be inconspicuous when they travel, often avoiding wearing team colors in order to avoid detection by the police. Ultras, on the other hand, tend to be much more conspicuous and like to arrive at stadiums en masse, which allows the police to keep a close eye on their movements
Poland was the first Eastern Europe country to see a rise in football hooliganism. For example, on March 30, 2003, Polish police reportedly arrested 120 people because football supporters got into a brawl during a match between Wroclaw and Arka Gdynia. During the riot hooligans pelted police officers with stones and fought a running battle with knives and axes.

The fans of Legia Warsaw also have quite a reputation. Last year Legia hooligans battled police in central Warsaw and ransacked part of the Polish capital’s Old Town to celebrate the club’s league title.
In the wake of the trouble at Vetros stadium, some observers criticized the hosts for failing to provide adequate security and, reportedly, allowing openly drunken fans into the stadium.
“Nobody in Poland would ever have allowed a match to take place with such weak security preparations,” Legia Warsaw coach Jan Urban told Poland’s Rzeczpospolite newspaper. Other observers commented that the police were too humane and were even frightened of the hooligans.
The Lithuanian Police force countered these charges by saying that they didn’t want to push the hooligans out of the stadium, where they had at least some kind of control over them. They also said that it was impossible to do proper security checks at the gates because fans were able to pass alcohol over the walls to those already inside.

Overall the Vetros stadium suffered 21,000 euros worth of damage after advertising panels, seats, gates, portable toilets and TV cables were vandalized. Seven soccer fans were given short jail sentences and nine others were fined for violating public order. Police officials commented that it was pure luck that there were no serious injuries. Following this experience the police will no doubt be better prepared for the next time hooliganism comes to town.

Preston - Everton - 18/07/2007

Source : Lancashire Evening Post

Fight after PNE-Everton clash

A fight broke out in the street following Preston's 1-1 friendly draw with Everton last night.
Police were called to Ribbleton Lane, close to the prison, at 9.45pm after a number of calls from members of the public about a scuffle.

Around 15 Everton fans had been making their way towards the city centre when they became involved in a fight with around 10 Preston fans. One witness reported seeing beer bottles being thrown.

Officers arrived five minutes later and escorted the Everton fans to the railway station.

Rovers fans get extra security in Vilnius - 19/07/2007

Source : This is Lancashire

BLACKBURN Rovers fans will get increased security in Lithuania this weekend when they travel to support the team in Sunday's Intertoto Cup third round first leg tie with FK Vetra.

Security in Vilnius - the capital city where the tie is due to be staged - has been stepped up following major crowd disturbance at the recent second round clash with Legia Warsaw, which culminated in the Polish club being expelled from the competition.

However, Lancashire Con-stabulary (Eastern Division) Chief Superintendent David Mallaby, says he has been in regular contact with police counterparts in Lithuania and insists that problems are not anticipated.

He said: "We have worked closely with the police authorities and the British Consulate over there as well as Rovers officials and we have no reason to expect anything other than a good, enjoyable occasion played out in a family atmosphere."

Representatives from Rovers and the Police have already been on fact-finding missions to Vilnius and Ewood Park secretary Andrew Pincher said: "The unfortunate events against Legia Warsaw has resulted in increased security for our game, but that was to be expected and is no reflection whatsoever on Blackburn Rovers."

Around 120 Rovers supporters are expected to make the trip.

Zrinjski Mostar - Partizan Belgrade - 19/07/2007

Source : Reuters

UEFA Cup match in Bosnia marred by violence

Serious crowd trouble marred a UEFA Cup first qualifying round match between Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar and Serbian visitors Partizan Belgrade on Thursday.

Play was held up for 10 minutes early in the first half in Mostar after rival fans clashed with riot police and security stewards while pelting each other with flares and rocks.

Italian referee Andrea De Marco allowed the match to resume after police quelled the violence and managed to create a buffer zone between the 8,000 home fans and some 1,000 visiting supporters.

Television images showed very few police and security officials in place for what was declared a high-risk match, only the second meeting between clubs from Bosnia and Serbia since the former Yugoslavia's bloody break-up.

A hat-trick from former Zrinjski striker Lamine Diarra on his debut for Partizan helped the Serbian side to a resounding 6-1 win ahead of the return leg in Belgrade on August 2.





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Source : The Daily Telegraph

Hooligans are at it again. Serious crowd trouble marred a UEFA Cup first qualifying round overnight, while a Danish football fan was today sentenced to two months behind bars for attacking the opposing team's goalkeeper with tear gas.

Play was held up for 10 minutes in the UEFA qualifying match between Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar and Serbian visitors Partizan Belgrade in Mostar after rival fans clashed with riot police and security stewards while pelting each other with flares and rocks.

Italian referee Andrea De Marco allowed the match to resume after police quelled the violence and managed to create a buffer zone between the 8,000 home fans and some 1,000 visiting supporters.

Television images showed very few police and security officials in place for what was declared a high-risk match, only the second meeting between clubs from Bosnia and Serbia since the former Yugoslavia's bloody break-up.

Denmark's incident was the country's first conviction for violence committed on a football pitch.

The court found the fan, whose name was not disclosed, guilty of "particularly dangerous violence.''

The man ran onto the pitch at the Roskilde stadium on June 9 during a third division match between FC Roskilde and Lolland Falster-Alliancen, spraying the goalie from Lolland with tear gas.

The fan explained the following day that he had drunk eight to 10 beers and admitted that his actions had been "foolish''.


Serious crowd trouble marred a UEFA Cup qualifying round overnight, while a Danish football fan was today sentenced to two months behind bars for attacking the opposing team's goalkeeper with tear gas. (Reuters)

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Source : Forum

Chile - Argentina - U-20 (played in Toronto) - 19/07/2007

Source : CP

Chilean team brawl with police, security after FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinal

Anger on the soccer field turned into turmoil off it Thursday night as members of the Chilean under-20 team slugged it out with police and security after a bitter semifinal loss at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

A member of the Chilean delegation was subdued by taser during the brawl, which developed as players were loading onto their team bus following their ill-tempered 3-0 loss to Argentina in the semifinal at the National Soccer Stadium near the Toronto waterfront.

A FIFA spokesman said early Friday that no arrests had been made, although the entire Chile team was detained by police at the stadium after the incident.

"All (Chilean) players have been released from custody of the police to care of the Chilean delegation," FIFA spokesman John Schumacher said.

Nathan Denette said he was outside the stadium with a fellow CP photographer when they heard grumbling then yelling near the Chilean team bus after the game.

"All of a sudden we looked over and there was a big brawl that breaks out, between four or five people," Denette said. "Next thing you know, the bus just unloads and there's eight, 10 players come off the bus and there's just fists flying everywhere, between the cops, the security guards, a couple of ladies were involved that were security.

"It looked like a big dogfight. People throwing fists and cops with their billyclubs out and then all of a sudden it got out of control and a police officer grabbed his taser gun and tasered someone - I don't know if he was a player or if he was part of the team - as soon as that happened, it got even worse."

The bus was parked at the side of the stadium, where a large fence kept hundreds of angry, chanting fans from getting closer. A tow truck arrived later to take the damaged team bus away.

"We heard this big bang . . . it was just commotion after commotion after commotion," Denette said. "Some of the players were trying to get players back on the bus. But some were furious they were trying to get back off the bus. And then they opened up the windows on the bus and were throwing things at the officers. And then all of sudden, they were trying to grab them from the inside of the bus. And it just escalated."

It was not immediately clear whether the man tasered was a player or official with the Chilean team.

Police eventually handcuffed several players, some of them bloodied and screaming, and escorted them back into the dressing room while shocked FIFA and Canadian soccer officials looked on. Several hours after the game ended, Chilean players involved in the fracas were still at the stadium.

"The players are still in the dressing room and we don't know what's going to happen next," Colin Linford, president of the Canadian Soccer Association, told The Canadian Press.

Linford said while FIFA officials were on hand, police had taken charge of the situation.

FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, held a news conference at the stadium at 1:15 a.m. shortly after the players were allowed to leave.

"The entire situation is under investigation by FIFA, the LOC (local organizing committee), the police authorities in Toronto as well as the Chilean delegation," said Schumacher.

"The Chilean players were detained by the police to de-escalate the situation that was taking place in front of the stadium," he added.

Two Chilean players were ejected during the loss. The game was an ill-tempered affair with nine yellow cards - seven to Chile and two to Argentina - in addition to the two red cards. German referee Wolfgang Stark called 53 fouls - 30 against Chile.

When the final whistle blew, several Chilean players tried to get at the officiating crew. Others stepped in to keep them away. Two police officers escorted the officiating crew off the pitch, but they stopped as they neared the tunnel, eyeing the angry crowd.

Eventually they made a run for it, dashing to the safety of the tunnel below the stands.

The post-match melee happened as reporters were elsewhere in the stadium, attending the coaches' post-match news conference.

"The players were upset. They're young players," Chile coach Jose Sulantay said through an interpreter, referring to the melee on the playing field after the final whistle. "The red card affected them.

"The coaching staff tried to calm them down, but there were upset with the ref and the red cards."

Outside security officials kept reporters at the mixed zone well away from the brawl. Reporters inside the stadium were prevented from coming outside.

Chile is scheduled to play Austria in the third-place game on Sunday before the final between Argentina and the Czech Republic at BMO Field, which has been renamed the National Soccer Stadium during the tournament because of sponsorship issues.

The brawl is a major embarrassment to FIFA, which earlier congratulated organizers for setting a ticket sales record for the tournament. The U-20 competition is FIFA's second biggest tournament, behind only the World Cup.

More details are expected at a FIFA news conference later Friday.

Call off adds to Leeds United's woes - 20/07/2007

Source : Yorkshire Evening Post

IN Dresden last season, a league game between Dynamo Dresden and Union Berlin drew in an attendance of 20,000.

Dresden scored in either half to earn a 2-0 victory and satisfy a greater section of the crowd, but more telling was the police presence allocated to a routine third division match.
Around 1,100 officers were posted to the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, one for every 18 spectators inside the ground! Personnel were drafted from several German states, and the police attendance set a record for a Regionalliga fixture.
Less than a week earlier, Dynamo's supporters had been responsible for injuring 23 officers during a game involving Hertha Berlin, and the police sought safety in numbers.
Nevertheless, four people were arrested and numerous others ejected from Dresden's stadium for offences ranging from attempted bodily harm to wearing neo-Nazi symbols.
That isolated incident explains succinctly why Saturday's friendly between Dynamo Dresden and Leeds United has fallen by the wayside.
Hooliganism is a considerable problem for Germany's authorities, and one which can hardly be said to bubble beneath the surface of society.
The eastern reaches of the country, where Dresden lies, seem particularly beset by a growing culture of football violence – a hotbed for thriving, active firms. In the last three years alone, Dynamo are thought to have paid out more than £100,000 in fines imposed by the German Football Association (DFB) for hooligan-related incidents.
The cancellation of the friendly between Dynamo and Leeds was confirmed yesterday on the advice of local police, who were already preparing themselves for a busy weekend.
On Saturday, the German city of Leipzig will host a neo-Nazi rally, requiring the attendance of police from all over the region. Leipzig and Dresden occupy the same Bundesland; the region of Saxony has enough to manage without Dynamo stretching its resources further on Saturday.
Around 1,000 of United's supporters were expected to travel to Dresden this weekend, a figure which came as a surprise when mentioned to officials at the German club yesterday.
Few expected such a sizeable turnout for a friendly, but the presence of so many travelling fans is thought have been less of a concern for police than the welcome that the natives of Dresden would have provided.
Intelligence surrounding the plans of Dynamo's Ultras will almost certainly have influenced the decision to call off the match, although the police in Dresden have not explained their reasoning publicly, or to United.
Mathias Bunkus, a football reporter at the Berliner Kurier, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "The problem is that Dresden are one of the clubs in eastern Germany with the biggest hooligan problem. Many people see their fans as the worst. They were fined heavily by the DFB last season because of riots and other problems, and if the police have got an idea about any clashes being planned, they can say 'okay, for safety reasons the game won't go ahead'.
"This problem has been neglected over the last couple of years, maybe because Dresden are not in a higher league and not as many people see the hooligans.
Troublesome
"But if the police think there are too many risks then they won't let the game go ahead, especially if it is a friendly."
Dresden's plan to replace the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion and occupy a custom-built stadium by 2009 has been drawn up, among other reasons, with the need to eliminate their more troublesome followers in mind.
Their present home is a throwback for English spectators, much as Union Berlin's stadium was when United performed at the Alte Forsterei on Wednesday evening.
Dresden's stands are dominated by concrete terracing, and the ground's seated sections appear to have existed for decades without improvement. Huge cast-iron floodlights tower over the ground and dominate the skyline, each held up by three jagged legs.
While obviously continental and immediately likable, the evocative venue is transparently problematic; there are no turnstiles to speak of, and no barriers or fences to prevent the public from walking freely into the ground outside of matchdays. It is the antithesis of tight security.
When supporters are present, channeling them effectively must test every ounce of wit among Dresden's police force. With nothing at stake on Saturday, their willingness to risk a brawl was clearly diminished.
The cancellation is another black mark against Dynamo's name. It is another nudge in the DFB's side that will remind them of a situation which needs further attention.
Complication
Dresden's third division status seems to facilitate violence in the sense that their supporters' behaviour falls beneath the radar of the Bundesliga, and earns little international notoriety, though not if Leeds have anything to do with it.
Saturday's game has become a monumental waste of money for the United supporters planning to make their way to Dresden.
And it is yet another complication thrown in the path of Dennis Wise at the end of a summer which, at times, seems fated against him.
Leeds were still hopeful today of hastily arranging a replacement fixture for tomorrow, but available opponents will be short in number.
For third division clubs like Berlin and Dresden, the German season begins in eight days' time, and most will be occupied this weekend.
Training may be the sum of United's labour before Monday night's game against FC Energie Cottbus in Dessau. That date at least remains unaffected.
It will not have helped Wise either to learn yesterday that the under-contract players with him in Germany have not been paid their wages for June by United.
Once again the situation is beyond his control, and damaging to his attempts to convince players that transferring to Elland Road is a sensible option while so much uncertainty exists.
The English season starts three weeks tomorrow, and Leeds have five friendlies remaining, including a game at Guiseley on August 6.
There is enough scope in those five games for Wise to have his team ready for the start of the season, but only just.
The police in Dresden have been pushed into a decision; Leeds are unlikely to thank them for it.

Budućnost Podgorica - Hajduk Split - 19/07/2007

Source : Index.hr + Torcida.org + Javno

In Montenegro, 60 people were arrested after the home fans of Buducnost hurled rocks at buses taking the Hajduk faithful to their game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Police reported sporadic fighting before and after the match watched by a near-capacity 12,000 crowd.