Season 07/08 - July

Racist rants see football yob given Europe ban - 31/07/2007

Source : Edinburgh Evening News

A TEENAGE football hooligan has been banned from all grounds across Europe in one of the first moves of its kind imposed by an Edinburgh court.

Kevin Watt, 18, was handed the three-year ban after being convicted of shouting racist abuse during the Hibs CIS cup semi-final at Tynecastle in January.

He was arrested after ignoring stewards' warnings to stop "shouting, swearing and racial abuse" during the game.

The 18-year-old, of Pilton Park, Pilton, has already been banned indefinitely from Easter Road after being abusive to stewards and other fans.

The courts have the power to review - and extend - the wider three-year ban once it has been completed.

The order is one of only a handful to be imposed in Scotland since the introduction of new legislation last year.

It is believed to be only the second handed to a football fan from Edinburgh.

Football banning orders have been in existence in England since 2000.

But they were only introduced into Scottish law under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act, which came into force in September 2006.

Watt is understood to have been part of a group shouting and chanting abuse during the Hibs' cup semi-final win over St Johnstone.

One source said: "He fancies himself as a young casual. He's is currently serving an indefinite ban from Easter Road stadium that was imposed by the club around 18 months ago.

"He has been caught being abusive towards stewards and other supporters, and has caused trouble at other grounds, including a recent incident at a game in Falkirk.

"During the CIS semi-final at Tynecastle, he was convicted of a racial breach of the peace after he was caught by stewards making racially abusive comments and chants."

Last November, Watt was fined £225 for taking part in a mass brawl at a railway station in Falkirk following a Hibs away match.

The action against the teenager follows a three-month ban given to Hearts fan Dean Gollan last month.

Gollan was banned from entering a football ground for three months after he shouted and swore at fans and tried to climb over a fence segregating rival supporters during a match between Aberdeen and Hearts at Pittodrie, on March 10.

The Capital has been hit by an upsurge in trouble involving violent football casuals over the last year. Earlier this year, rival fans clashed in a 70-man brawl in the Meadowbank and Jock's Lodge area, before a Hibs-Rangers match.

Rival gangs of casuals also clashed after the 2-2 draw in October 2006, where fighting erupted in Lothian Road and Fountain Park.

At the time, police chiefs described the scenes as the city's "worst" football-related violence in 20 years.

A series of undercover operations and dawn raids have since been carried out by police in an attempt to curb the level of violence seen on the Capital's streets. Today, a Crown Office spokesman said Watt had been convicted of a breach of the peace following an incident at Tynecastle on January 31.

He said: "He [Watt] was convicted after a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for an incident that occurred at Tynecastle stadium in January.

"He was charged with shouting, swearing and making racial abuse with other supporters, and refused to desist when approached by stewards at the game."

Nueva Chicago Hit With Mammoth Punishment - 26/07/2007

Source : Goal.com

Argentinian side Nueva Chicago has had 20 points deducted and a home ban of 20 matches placed on it in the aftermath of a fatal riot at the Estadio Nueva Chicago...

One month ago, Nueva Chicago hosted CA Tigre in a playoff. The prize: a place in the Argentinian Premier Division.

The home team was seeking to preserve its status, while the visitors were gunning for promotion. The Victoria-based visitors were already leading 1-0 from the first leg, and had taken a 2-1 lead in the present game, before being awarded a penalty.

This decision infuriated some of the home support, who promptly invaded the pitch and began to riot. The referee hastily abandoned the match, and trouble spilled to the surronding areas.

There, a 41 year old Tigre fan was killed after sustaining serious head injuries.

The Argentinian FA has taken a dim view of Nueva Chicago's handling of the incident and, consequently, the Buenos Aires club will start their B Nacional campaign bereft of 20 points, with the added handicap of being forced to play 20 home matches away from their own stadium.

However, the Los Toritos de Mataderos' president, Antonio Filomeno, insists that there is another side to this tragic story - that Tigre fans were rioting, too.

He argued, "It has been completely proved that there was not one single Chicago supporter in the place where this person was killed.

"It happened outside the stadium and involved Tigre supporters and the police. From the first day, they talked about a 20 or 30 point deduction and didn't take into account any of the evidence that we produced."

Recently, crowd trouble has flared in both the western and eastern hemispheres. To contrast with the violence in Argentina, some fans of Polish side Legia Warsaw invaded the pitch during an Intertoto Cup clash at Vetra Vilnius, resulting in their team's expulsion.

Partizan decision deferred - 31/07/2007

Source : UEFA.com

Following an appeal by FK Partizan, the chairman of UEFA's Appeals Body has granted a delaying effect in the Serbian club's disciplinary case relating to the UEFA Cup first qualifying round first-leg match against NK Zrinjski in Bosnia-Herzegovina on 19 July.

Second leg goes ahead
The ruling means the Belgrade club will play the second leg against Zrinjski in Belgrade on Thursday, having won 6-1 away. Partizan were disqualified from the UEFA Cup by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body last week for the conduct of their supporters during the first leg in Mostar. Partizan were also fined €30,056 (CHF50,000).

Suspensory effect
However, Partizan appealed against the decision and requested a suspensory effect to be granted. Under Article 51, paragraph 2 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations, the chairman of the UEFA Appeals Body may, on presentation of a reasoned request, grant a suspensory effect if deemed appropriate. It was ruled that any refusal to grant a suspensory effect could lead to a situation whereby if Partizan were not allowed to play the second leg on Thursday, they would be eliminated from the competition even if their appeal were to be subsequently upheld.

Examine the case
Today's decision means the UEFA Appeal Body can examine the case, consider the parties' arguments, judge the validity of the Control and Disciplinary Body's decision and rule on the merits of the case by 16 August, when the UEFA Cup second qualifying round first-leg matches are scheduled to take place.

Stromgodset - Brann Bergen - 29/07/2007

Source: mail (thanks to the sender) + http://fotbol.adressa.no + http://fotball.bt.no + http://dt.no

Around 40 casuals from SK Brann and unknown number from Vålerenga IF figth at a Service station.

Emirates Cup 2007 : Chelsea v PSG - 28/07/2007

Source : Mail

Reports coming soon...

video PSG fight in London :

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=rn3nRB47M40
Chelsea : Left and inside the Pub / PSG : Right

Thx to the sender !

Hamburger SV II - Dynamo Dresden - 28/07/2007

Source : UD

Al Ahly - Espérance de Tunis - 27/07/2007

Source : AFR

Fifteen Espérance fans charged with misconduct during ACL match in Cairo

Fifteen Tunisians were arrested by Egyptian police for rioting during the African Champions League clash between Al Ahly and Espérance in Cairo last Friday (July 20th), BBC reports. Espérance lost 3-0 to Al Ahly. Five fans were released on Wednesday, but the rest are expected to be charged for provoking the riots. Espérance's loss led them to break seats and throw stones and fireworks towards al-Ahly's bench, Egyptian fans and security officials. Reportedly, several Egyptian fans were slightly injured and a police officer was hospitalised. The Egyptian team told the African Football Confederation that the damages totalled an estimated $12,000. The next game between the two teams is scheduled for August 4th in Tunisia.

Huracán - Rocamora - Cup - 28/07/2007

Source : www.misionesonline.net/

At the end of the game, Rocamora fans threw some missiles. Police intervened.

Oxford: Football fans deny incitement - 03/07/2007

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

Two men have denied involvement in a confrontation between 100 Oxford United and York City fans before a home game in September.

Liam Walker, 28, of Cherwell Avenue, Kidlington, and Patrick Vigilante, 40, of Bibury Close, Witney, on trial at Oxford Magistrates' Court, are accused of causing fear or provoking violence under the Public Order Act.

Walker said he was at a pub on Blackbird Leys, when he saw a large group of men and followed them out of inquisitiveness.

He said he saw police holding apart men who were "singing and chanting", and then returned to the pub before going to the game, where he was arrested. Walker said that a policeman who claimed he had seen him goading supporters was mistaken.

Vigilante said he too saw a large group of men and police. He said: "I didn't see any fighting or punches being thrown or anything of that nature. There was a bit of banter but it wasn't threatening, it was more jovial."

He said when he was later visited by the police he thought they wanted to quiz him as a witness, and did not expect to be arrested.

Jeffrey James, 37, of Flatford Place, Kidlington, and Paul Woodburn, 38, of Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell, admitted the public order offences.

The case continues.

England: Football thugs banned - 12/07/2007

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

Police in Blackpool have warned football troublemakers to stay away from the town as six thugs were sentenced for their part in a night of violence.

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

However, 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.

"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."

Yesterday, six people were sentenced at Preston Crown Court for their involvement in the pre-and post-match disorder on February 4 last year at the Blackpool versus Nottingham Forest game A total of six men have been convicted of offences after trouble flared outside The Swift Hound pub on Central Drive.

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

The men convicted are: Mark Nicholson, 23, of Church Street, Blackpool, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.

Hanover 96 - Glasgow Rangers - 17/07/2007

Source : ViewImages

Slovan investigated over violence in Vienna - 16/07/2007

Source: http://www.spectator.sk

A BINGE of violence and destruction by Slovak football fans at a match in Vienna could result in harsh penalties against the ŠK Slovan Bratislava club.

At the July 7 game between Slovan and SK Rapid Wien, Slovan fans fought with their rival supporters at Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, set seats on fire and tore down a fence in the stadium, according to media reports.

They also brawled in the streets before the game and caused an estimated Sk15,000 (€450) worth of damage to the train that carried them from Bratislava to Vienna, the Hospodárske Noviny newspaper reported.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Europe's governing football body, launched an investigation into the violence. The group's control and disciplinary body was to announce its ruling on the evening of July 12.

UEFA press officers did not comment on what the penalties for either side could include, but a spokesperson has publicly speculated there could be a fine against Slovan, and the club could even be forced to close its home stadium.

Slovan spokesperson Martin Urmanič said his club denounces the violence and would co-operate with the investigation. But he said Slovan was not responsible for what happened in Vienna.

"This was a sector of our fans," he told The Slovak Spectator. "But the responsibility for security [belongs to] the organiser of the match and the stadium, which means Rapid Vienna."

According to Michael Lepuschitz of the Vienna Police, who was the supervising officer on duty that day, 12 Slovak fans were arrested as a result of the violence. Eight were arrested after they attacked police officers at the train station in Vienna, and four were arrested after they attacked Rapid fans and were aggressive towards police officers at the stadium, he told The Slovak Spectator.

Anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 Slovan supporters travelled to the game from Bratislava, Lepuschitz said. Of those, about 300 were "very aggressive".

Urmanič said Slovan does not support this behaviour.

"We are really, really happy to have fans who are travelling with their team out of the city when they have a match out of Bratislava, or even out of the country," he said. "On the other hand, some individuals have a problem with their behaviour.

"It is like a stain on the name of the club, and on the name of all the fan groups."

Urmanič himself took to the field at Hanappi stadium with a megaphone at half-time and after the game to ask Slovan fans, in Slovak, not to cause problems in the stadium or in the streets, he said.

Vienna police got word from their counterparts in Bratislava that potentially aggressive Slovan fans were planning to come to the match, Lepuschitz said. As a result, three Slovak officers travelled to Vienna to help police the match. One was stationed at Vienna police headquarters and the other two were stationed with the fans.

But police had not expected such a large number of hooligans, Lepuschitz said. They also had not expected the 70 or so supporters who came to Vienna by boat.

"Next time if they come by the Danube and are aggressive at the station on the Danube, we will be better prepared," he said.

Slovan and Rapid were to meet again on July 14 in Bratislava for the second leg of their Intertoto Cup match. (Rapid won the July 7 game 3-1.)

Urmanič said the Slovan club, as always, was in contact with the official fan groups ahead of the game to ask for their co-operation in ensuring good fan behaviour. But they were also preparing stronger security measures to make sure what happened in Vienna did not happen here.

"We hope the discussion between the management of the clubs and the management of the fans works, and will work," Urmanič said. "But if not, we are preparing to ask police for huge co-operation to cut [destructive] behaviour in our own stadium."

Meanwhile, Viennese police are keeping records of the fans who were arrested or causing trouble at the game, Lepuschitz said.

"The next time, we plan to not allow them into the football stadium," he said.

The UEFA investigation considered accounts of the events from the clubs, referees, match delegates, security officers and other sources, a UEFA spokesperson told The Slovak Spectator.

There have been a number of similar bouts of hooliganism at recent UEFA matches. On July 11, UEFA expelled the Legia Warszawa team from the Intertoto Cup and banned them from competition for one future season after their supporters fired "missiles" and battled police during their match with Lithuanian club FK Vétra in Vilnius.