Season 07/08 - December

VFL Bochum - Karlsruher SC - 0/12/2007

Source: http://www1.polizei-nrw.de + http://www.weltfussball.de (mail - thanks to the senders)

A fight occured, opposing police forces to Kalrsuher supporters.
Three policemen were injured.



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Source : Reuters

Police officers injured in violence at Bundesliga match

Three police officers were seriously injured during violence at Saturday's Bundesliga match between Bochum and Karlsruhe, Bochum police said on Sunday.
One of the officers suffered a spinal fracture and was hospitalised after Saturday's match, police said in a statement. The other two officers were also badly hurt after receiving kicks to the body and head.
Police said two people were arrested and that criminal proceedings were under way.



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Source : International Herald Tribune

Policeman's spine suspected to be broken in clash with football hooligans

A policeman was hospitalized with a suspected broken spine after clashes with hooligans following a Bundesliga soccer match involving Karlsruher SC.

Police said Sunday two other officers were hurt when they protected the officer after he was knocked down by the hooligans and kicked in the head and body during VfL Bochum's 2-2 draw against visiting Karlsruhe on Saturday.

One officer had face wounds, another had hand injuries, while the hospitalized officer faces the possibility he could be paralyzed.

"It could be very dangerous, but we won't know until tomorrow when experts look at him," Bochum police captain Thomas Achtelik said.

Police arrested two men but said it wasn't established if they belonged to the hooligans, which Achtelik described as aggressive "ultras" — the name for Germany's most hardcore hooligans.

Karlsruhe fans were tossed from the stadium just before kickoff for fighting and outside were joined by 100 hooligans. Together they tried to crash the stadium gates, overwhelming security personnel.

Police were then called, leading to the hospitalized officer being knocked down and beaten by the hooligans. Achtelik said police wouldn't release the number of officers involved in the clashes.

Police clashes with hooligans happen on a regular basis in Germany, but its rare an officer is seriously injured.

In Leipzig, 40 to 60 masked people wielding baseball bats and fireworks attacked fans of FC Sachsen while they were at a sports bar Christmas party.

Police said the fans refused medical attention, although some were bleeding, and wouldn't help identify the culprits. Outside the bar, car windows were broken and tires slashed.

La Louviere - Eendracht Aalst - 08/12/2007

Source: forum

During the game several Aalst lads went on the gate who finally opened.
A few of them went on the pitch and requested locals who stayed inside their stands (no way to enter the ptich).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsFk7a5ufo

Football hooligans get Roma warning - 10/12/2007

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

Police are warning football hooligans not to travel to Manchester United's Champions League clash away to Roma.
They will monitor flights leaving UK airports to prevent any known or potential troublemakers, especially those who have convictions for violence and football-related disorder.

During last season's Champions League competition, games between the two clubs were marred by violence and disorder between both sets of supporters.

Superintendent John Graves, who was Police
Match Commander for the recent home leg of the fixture and will be travelling to Rome, said: "As with all operations like this, we are sending out a clear message to people who may be travelling to Rome to cause problems to think again.

"The majority of people who will be travelling to Roma are genuine football fans who just want to have a good night and cheer on their team and we hope everyone who attends the match will enjoy themselves.

"Both Manchester United and the English Football Association have been very active in promoting the safety of travelling supporters in Rome, and I would urge all supporters to follow the advice being given - do not travel unless you have a legitimately purchased ticket. When travelling to the stadium, use the official transport provided and be mindful of your personal safety."

SG Eintracht Bad Kreuznach - 1.FC Saarbrücken - 08/12/2007

Source: mail

Security don't allow Ultras Saarbrücken (Boys SB + SC95) to hang up their
flags. Ultras attack Security and Police, after they destroy the fence.

Red Star handed three-match crowd ban over riot - 10/12/2007

Source : Reuters

Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade have been ordered to play three home games behind closed doors and fined 500,000 dinars ($9,193) for a riot in which a policeman was seriously injured.

First division commissioner Dragce Dimitrijevic punished Red Star on Monday after their fans attacked the policeman with burning flares and seats in a league match earlier this month.

One of the offenders apprehended in the aftermath has been charged with attempted murder. Three Red Star officials arrested on Friday and charged with causing a state of general danger face up to a month in detention while the investigation is completed.

Pending an appeal, the verdict means Red Star will complete their ban against leaders and bitter city rivals Partizan in the first Belgrade derby to be played with no fans.

Policeman hurt in clashes with hooligans recovering from injuries - 10/12/2007

Source : The Canadian Press

A policeman who suffered serious injuries in a clash with violent soccer fans is recovering and is not expected to have any permanent damage, police said Monday.

The officer was brought to a local hospital with a broken lumbar vertebrae during Saturday's Bundesliga game between Bochum and visiting Karlsruhe.

Police are still trying to determine whether the policeman was injured in a fall or by violent Karlsruhe fans.

Another policeman received several blows and kicks in the body and his head after falling to the ground. He and another lightly injured policemen have been released from the hospital.

Karlsruhe fans were tossed from the stadium just before kickoff for fighting and outside were joined by 100 hooligans. Together they tried to crash the stadium gates, overwhelming security personnel.

Police clashes with hooligans happen on a regular basis in Germany, but rarely is an officer seriously injured.

Harry unhappy about fan abuse at Villa - 10/12/2007

Source: Soccernet

Aston Villa will launch an investigation should any official complaint be made by Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp into the behaviour of fans situated behind the visitors' dug-out during Saturday's match at Villa Park.

Redknapp was seen to be involved in several exchanges with supporters and accused them of 'filfthy and abusive' language during Pompey's 3-1 success on Saturday.

But Villa insist their supporters have a general reputation for being well behaved.

Villa club spokesman Phil Mepham said: 'If Harry Redknapp or Portsmouth make a complaint to us then we will consider what is said and make our investigation.

'There are stewards behind the dug-out area and they are trained in all types of security. We would really need to see the degree of the complaint before we could go any further.

'As a club we would say that this does not reflect the general behaviour of our supporters who have a good reputation.

'Under the new ownership of Aston Villa, a real effort is being made to make our supporters feel more part of the club with a number of inititatives brought in this season.'

Villa manager Martin O'Neill did not hear the alleged comments made towards Redknapp but conceded they should not be acceptable at any ground.

He said: 'I didn't hear what was said but, if there have been chants emanating from the children's area with bad language, then that should not be tolerated anywhere.

'Everyone expects banter and no-one will ever be able to prevent it. When you go to any away ground then you expect to take come kind of abuse.

'Every England player knew they were going to be in for some after the defeat against Croatia. It's something which happens.'

Redknapp claimed: 'You've got people stood behind you, who have got their kids with them, shouting filfth. I didn't bring my kids up to talk like that.

'Do we have to accept that? It didn't happen when I was a kid. There was none of this nonsense going on. Maybe I shouldn't get upset but I do.

'I didn't get brought up by my family to behave like that and I don't expect other people to behave like that.

'What upsets me is someone there with a little boy making filfthy gestures. That's what hurts me. He can shout what he likes at me. I just think it stinks and he should be ashamed as a parent to do that in front of kids.'

Czech Republic: Football fans accused over injuring policemen - 04/12/2007

Source: CTK

Seven soccer fans, Czechs and Poles, have been accused of hooliganism over clashes that erupted after Sunday's match between the Czech 1st soccer league clubs Banik Ostrava and Sparta Praha in which 21 policemen were injured, Ostrava police director Rostislav Pavliska said Monday.

Police estimated the damage caused by the rioting fans at 200,000 crowns and the measures police had taken cost 750,000 crowns.

Police detained 15 violent fans on the spot. Among the seven persons accused are three Poles.

Police believe that Polish fans of the GKS Katowice club arrived in Ostrava to support Banik's fans against the fans of Sparta Praha and that they were to partly blame for the disturbances.

"I firmly believe that they arranged everything beforehand," Pavliska said.

The fans demolished the stadium tearing away more than 300 seats that they were throwing at the policemen.

None of the policeman suffered serious injuries, Tomas Landsfeld, commander of the police unit that interfered against the rioting fans on Sunday, said, adding he had no information that any of the civilians present at the game was injured.

French authorities fear trouble in Marseille - 10/12/2007

Source: Guardian Unlimited

Gerrard is confident ahead of the tie.

The arrival of English fans in a European city is typically preceded by days of fear and loathing, but the rumour that has swept through Marseille ahead of the crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool tomorrow is nevertheless unusual. According to local reports, "sources in Liverpool" have warned French authorities that visiting fans will trigger security chaos not just by circulating forged tickets, but also by selling replicas of Marseille stewards' bibs - L'Equipe today reports that 1,000 such replicas are believed to have been produced.

Olympique Marseille have already identified the match as "high risk" and plan to deploy 720 stewards between home fans and the holders of the 2,800 tickets sold by Liverpool. But they are unhappy that Liverpool have been unable to say how or when most of the travelling fans will get to the game. "We are surprised at how [Liverpool] have gone about things," said OM security officer Guy Cazadamont in L'Equipe. "When we go away, whether in France or in Europe, we tell the hosts how our fans are travelling, give them the flight numbers, the buses' registration numbers and the arrival times. But all we know now is that around 500 people will arrive on two charter planes - we don't know when or how the rest will get to the stadium."
Anxious city authorities will station two battalions of riot police outside the ground tomorrow, while keeping several others on stand by.

While the authorities fret, Marseille players are looking forward to the match. Though they need only a draw to reach the last 16 unless Besiktas pull off a shock win at Porto, striker Mamadou Niang says his side will go in search of victory. "We'll go to take the points," he said. "It will be a tense game and different from the last time we met [when Marseille won 1-0 at Anfield]. But we will attack and create chances.

Steven Gerrard was similarly optimistic about Liverpool's chances. "If you'd told me five minutes after the final whistle against Marseille at Anfield we would go into the last game knowing a win would secure our qualification, I would have bitten your hand off. We're a different side and a lot more confident than the one which lost to Marseille at home."

Liverpool were in a similar position in the group phase in the 2004-05 campaign, which ended with their famous final triumph in Istanbul. Back then, they needed to score three goals against Greek side Olympiakos and achieved it thanks to Gerrard's thunderbolt of a goal at the Kop end in a 3-1 win. Given the improbability of a Besiktas victory in Portgual, Liverpool will likely need a similar result tomorrow.

"Everyone remembers Olympiakos, so our experiences in the past will help," added Gerrard. "The pressure will be on Marseille as much as us this time. We know we're always expected to go through to the knockout stage, but after they beat us at Anfield and we lost in Turkey, we weren't favourites to qualify."

Four Betar Jerusalem fans suspected of assault - 10/12/2007

Source : Jerusalem Post

Four Betar Jerusalem soccer fans were arrested Monday for on suspicion of assaulting fans from a rival team, police said.

The teenage suspects, including three minors, were apprehended in the wake of "intelligence information" for the early December attack on Kfar Saba fans outside Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium, which included stoning a bus with Kfar Saba supporters, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said.

The three minors were remanded in custody by a Jerusalem court Monday for three days, while the fourth suspect was placed under house arrest.

Police said that more arrests in the case are expected.

Leader of Cluj ultras banned for 3 years - 10/12/2007

Source : ProSport + ziuadecj.ro

Mircea Cenan (RJ), one of the leaders from "U" Cluj was banned for three years from stadium on 7 December.

Cenan, 28, was involved in burst at the game with FC Bihor and Dacia Mioveni in 2006.

Aurel Litan, from Cluj Police : "We have picture with him and police officers don't allow him in stadium for the next three years."
It's the second ban for Cenan in last two years. Court from Cluj don't allow him in stadium 6 months last year.

Danish fan jailed for referee attack - 11/12/2007

Source : Reuters

The Danish fan who attacked a referee during a Euro 2008 qualifier between Denmark and Sweden in June was sentenced to 20 days in jail by an appeals court on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old man, who remained unnamed, was convicted of attempted assault and trespassing by the Eastern Court of Appeals, overturning an earlier suspended sentence of 30 days plus 40-hours' community service.

The man attacked Herbert Fandel when the German referee sent off Denmark's Christian Poulsen and awarded Sweden a penalty in the closing minutes of the match on June 2.

Denmark's Michael Gravgaard managed to keep the drunk man away from Fandel, who opted to abandon the Group F match, with the teams tied at 3-3. Sweden were later awarded a 3-0 victory by UEFA.

"The assault was only prevented because Michael Gravgaard physically stepped in and it is apparent from video footage that the defendant was very determined in his actions," the court said in a statement.

Denmark failed to qualify for next year's European championships while Sweden took one of the group's two qualifying spots alongside Spain.

The man has admitted to drunkenness and to entering the field illegally.

Police sent wrecked bus to pick up fans - 11/12/2007

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

Bus bosses are questioning why police forced a glass-strewn bus – with four missing windows – through the streets of Preston to collect soccer fans.
Blackpool fans ripped out windows and tore seats from a Preston Bus vehicle, laid on to ferry supporters from the railway station to Deepdale for Saturday's derby clash.

Driver Paul Nelson, 42, said instead of taking the wrecked bus back to the depot after the yobs struck, police told him to drive back to the station to collect more Blackpool fans.

Today, bus chief Peter Bell said he would have vetoed the police's orders on health and safety grounds if he had known. Damage to the bus has been put at more than £1,500.

Mr Bell said: "I spoke to the driver yesterday and he said the police sent him back to the station. We would not dream of doing that and I will be taking it up with the police. There are obviously health and safety worries with glass strewn over the top deck and seats missing.

"As it turned out, there were no more passengers and Paul took it back to the depot."

Mr Nelson told the Evening Post: "I was instructed to go back to the station under police escort to pick up any more fans. I thought it was a little strange because I thought the bus would have to go back to the depot straight away."

Mr Bell added: "We work very well with the police and I am happy to provide this service. But, in future, I will insist police are on board each of the buses."

Around 300 police officers were on duty on Saturday to keep rival fans apart during the first derby between the two sides in seven years, which Blackpool won 1-0.

Insp Richard Cox, match commander for Lancashire Police, said: "In light of this incident we will review the use of buses for certain fixtures."

Of the 11 people arrested, eight were from Blackpool and three from Preston. Six of the arrests were made at the ground.

Police said around 30 Preston fans attacked the Hop Inn in Blackpool at 6pm on Saturday in an apparent "revenge" mission. Bottles and bins were thrown at the pub, leaving two windows smashed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibAMqG4qF1Q

Arsenal Londra - Steaua Bucharest - 12/12/2007

Source : Mail

Three people was arrested in airport yesterday. All boys are from Romania.

They made some problems in the air because was drunk and police force retain them one night at the station. At this moment all of them are free but they have to buy another ticket because EasyJet company don't let them to go back in Romania with them.

3000 euro fine for FC Steaua Bucharest - 12/12/2007

Source : Romanian Press

FRF (Romanian Federation of Football) fine Steaua with 3.000 euro after last match at Ghencea against Gloria Bistrita.

Ultra fans from Stil Ostil show a message against Dumitru Dragomir, boss of LPF.

The message was something like : "Mitica, we wait the day when we light a candle for you."

Lok Leipzig fans rampaged - 08/12/2007

Source: http://www.mdr.de + mail

50 Hooligans from Lok Leipzig attack break into a Pub where Ultras from Chemie Leipzig make a christmas party. They had weapons (knife, guns etc.). Pub and cars outside were damaged, Ultras injured!

http://www.mdr.de/sport/fussball_ol/5079104.html
http://www.mdr.de/sport/fussball_ol/5075868.html

Chelsea FC - West Ham United - 01/12/2007

Source: https://www.youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfmOTgGApRo

AS Roma - Manchester United - 12/12/2007

Source: The Guardian

United supporters stabbed

Five Manchester United fans were taken to hospital tonight and two Britons arrested following trouble ahead of the Champions League tie with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Manchester-based police initially confirmed they had received reports of three supporters being stabbed but the number requiring medical assistance rose even though there was nowhere near the same scale of violence that scarred the last meeting between the two teams in April. The precise extent of the injuries sustained in the trouble has not been verified. However, it is not thought any of the supporters are seriously hurt.

The Foreign Office confirmed two Britons had been arrested after fans of the rival teams clashed as they gathered outside the Stadio Olimpico. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "It appears there was trouble outside the stadium. A number of British fans were injured and two British nationals have been arrested. Our consular officials are on the way to the hospital to check on conditions, the numbers involved and whether anyone needs assistance. The situation is now said to be calm both outside and inside the stadium."

Sir Alex Ferguson last night expressed hope that the game would pass off peacefully and certainly the Italian police, who were condemned for their heavy handed tactics earlier this year, were leaving little to chance. The 1200 United fans who made the trip to Italy were largely shepherded into the stadium two hours before kick-off, while segregation, made easier by a less than capacity crowd left no opportunity for supporters to be pelted by missiles, as was the case on their last visit. Police helicopters also circled the stadium in an attempt to isolate trouble spots.

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Source: The Guardian

Five United fans stabbed in repeat of Rome violence

Five Manchester United supporters were stabbed here before their team's 1-1 Champions League group draw with Roma last night. The fans were taken to hospital but none of them was in a serious condition, according to a spokeswoman for the British embassy in Rome who also said that four Britons had been arrested.

Trouble started outside Rome's Olympic Stadium about an hour before the game as some 50 Roma and United fans threw bottles and tables at each other. Two baton charges by Italian police broke up the fighting. The United fans knifed reportedly suffered wounds to the backside, a favoured technique used by Roma fans which causes large blood loss but no serious injury. There were also unconfirmed reports of a stabbed Roma fan.

"Seven Manchester United supporters were taken to hospital after fighting broke out on the bridge which fans cross over the river to get to the stadium," the embassy spokeswoman said. "Five are receiving treatment for stab wounds while two others, one whom was a 16-year-old boy, were understood to be drunk." Two were confirmed released last night and the others were expected to leave hospital by today.

There was trouble when the teams met here last season and Sir Alex Ferguson, United's manager, said: "This is something we hoped would not happen ... We wanted a nice, quiet night so it is disappointing to hear there has been trouble. We just hope our fans are OK." Roma's coach, Luciano Spalletti, said after seeing a video of the clashes: "These people are sick."

Terracing on either side of United's fans was empty to prevent the missile exchanges that occurred during the team's previous visit, after which 11 United fans were hospitalised.

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Source: http://www.sportinglife.com

SEVEN UNITED FANS IN HOSPITAL

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted it was "disappointing" Manchester United's latest trip to Rome had been scarred by violence once again.

After the appalling scenes at the Stadio Olimpico in April when Italian police baton charged United supporters, at least there was no trouble inside the stadium during the 1-1 Champions League draw with AS Roma.

However, five fans were stabbed outside the ground and needed hospital treatment, further proof the Italian game remains bedevilled by the scourge of hooliganism.

"This is something we hoped would not happen," said Ferguson.

"We wanted a nice quiet night and to be able to go home with no incident. It is disappointing that has not happened.

"Obviously, we are not sure of the details but we hope the supporters concerned will be okay."

Seven Manchester United supporters were taken to hospital after violence flared before the Champions' League clash.

British Embassy officials in Rome said five fans received stab wounds while two others, including a 16-year-old boy, needed treatment for being drunk.

None of the stab victims are understood to have serious injuries following the clash between the rival fans outside the Stadio Olympico. Most are expected to be released by the end of the night, said an embassy spokeswoman.

Earlier the Foreign Office said two British nationals were arrested but embassy staff said they could not confirm if anyone had been detained.

Italian media have reported that six British nationals were arrested by police.

The embassy spokeswoman said: "Seven Manchester United supporters were taken to hospital after fighting broke out on the Pont Duca d'Aosta bridge which fans cross over the river to get to the stadium.

"Five are receiving treatment for stab wounds while two others, one who was a 16-year-old boy, were understood to be drunk.

"Their injuries are not thought to be serious and most of them will be discharged in the next couple of hours. One person may be kept in overnight for observation.

"The situation in the stadium is now fine and everything is running smoothly."

She added she could not confirm if any Britons had been arrested.

The embassy had warned travelling fans beforehand not to use the Pont Duca d'Aosta bridge because it was habitually used by Roma's notorious Ultras - a following of hardcore fans.

Scenes of violence and disorder marred the two clubs' Champions League games last season, although this season's group match in Manchester in October passed off peacefully.

Eighteen United fans needed hospital treatment in April after clashes on the terraces in Rome and outside the ground.

Italian police were accused by United club officials of handing out "indiscriminate beatings" as they charged United supporters with batons.

Violence flared again a week later at the return leg at Old Trafford when scuffles broke out outside the ground.

A volley of missiles was thrown at Roma supporters as they entered the away end turnstiles and 21 people, including 14 United fans, were arrested.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped Wednesday's game would pass off peacefully but the British Embassy in Rome had warned supporters faced a "real danger of attack" by the Ultras.

The 1,200 British supporters who made the journey were largely shepherded into the stadium two hours before kick-off, with clear segregation in place in the less than capacity crowd.

Greater Manchester Police officers travelled to Rome and before the game warned hooligans not to attend.

They liaised with their colleagues in Italy to identify any known or potential troublemakers.

Derby vs Forest: Eleven charged after fans clashed - 13/12/2007

Source: BBC

A total of 11 men have been charged with affray after rival football fans clashed near a railway station.

The 11 were arrested on 15 September as Derby County and Nottingham Forest fans were involved in violent disorder outside the Waterfall bar in Derby.

Forest supporters were travelling to Port Vale for a League One fixture at the time.

Those charged, whose ages range from 22 to 44, will appear before magistrates in Derby on 20 December.

The arrests followed a joint operation between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Police.

Ugly scenes as hooligans run riot at volleyball game - 12/12/2007

Source : Cyprus Mail

TWO people have been wounded and six cars damaged from a violent clash between supporters of Anorthosis and Omonoia, following a volleyball game at the Themistokleio stadium in Limassol.

The violence broke out on Sunday evening around 8.30pm, when supporters of the two teams left the stadium while the game was still taking place inside. The supporters started fighting and throwing rocks at each other.

During the fighting a 19-year-old man from Limassol and a police officer on duty were wounded. The two men were taken to Limassol General Hospital, where they were given first aid and then released. The 19-year-old sustained a bruise to the head and the police officer an abrasion to the leg.

Six cars were damaged from the stone-throwing, but the exact cost of damage has not been determined yet. Following the intervention of police, the fighting stopped. Police are currently investigating the case, but no arrests have yet been made.

Inside the stadium, the game continued uninterrupted and Anorthosis won by three sets to two. At the end of the game, Omonoia’s players confronted the game’s referees, complaining that their decisions during the game had not been not fair.

Suspected Hooligans Arrested After Football Match - 12/12/2007

Source : 4RFV

Police in Birmingham have arrested 19 men in a series of early morning raids targeting people suspected of being involved in disorder at a football derby match last month.

Officers raided 20 addresses across Birmingham as part of Operation Flowstream and it is understood that those arrested range in age between 14 to 45.

The raids follow violence, which occurred as people left the St Andrew's stadium, following the game between Aston Villa and Birmingham City on November 11.

During the disorder, police officers were deployed to prevent clashes between rival fans and around 40 officers were injured.

Damage was also caused to shops, vehicles and other property by a group of individuals.

Detective Sergeant Neil Groutage, based at Stetchford police station said: "West Midlands Police continues to clampdown on the minority of football fans who spoil the enjoyment of the game for the majority of peaceful fans who visit the stadiums and watch matches in other venues throughout the region.

"We will do everything we can to catch them and prosecute them."

Anyone found guilty of such offences will face a banning order, meaning they will no longer be able to follow their team, home or away."

Violence prompts call for Roma Europe ban - 14/12/2007

Source : The Independent

The head of a British police authority called for Roma to be removed from European competition yesterday after the violence which marred Manchester United's away tie against them.

Dave McLuckie of the Cleveland authority, which encountered Roma's Ultras when many Middlesbrough fans were stabbed before their Uefa Cup tie in March last year, said the time had come for Uefa, the governing body of European football, to act. "Roma should not be allowed to enter from the start because the authorities are not able to look after the people who come to their city to watch football," he said. "They should just be banned from European football. They should not be involved in the Champions League or the Uefa Cup until they clean up their act."

Five visiting fans were stabbed and a total of nine needed hospital treatment after trouble flared before Wednesday night's Champions League encounter with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Though the problems were nowhere near as widespread as those which erupted during the quarter-final meeting between the two teams in the Italian capital last April the trouble emphasised the hooligan problem in Italy.

United expressed disappointment yesterday. "As a club, we are disappointed that this has occurred as we worked extremely hard with the relevant authorities to avoid any such circumstances," a spokesman said. "Naturally, we are concerned for the quick recovery of those involved, but are relieved that the injuries, according to authorities, are 'light'."

While many will question why 1,200 United fans travelled despite knowing the problems encountered last time around, a fresh outbreak of violence was the last thing the Italian authorities needed. The Uefa chief executive, David Taylor, was also shocked when informed of the trouble and knows what a worrying development it is, given that the Stadio Olimpico has already been confirmed as host venue to the 2009 final.

McLuckie said it was fortunate that a British fan had not been killed in the city, and called on the Italian government to step in. He said: "I am absolutely astounded that, so far, no one is dead – but it will not be long before it happens. In this country, we do raids on known hooligans before away matches and we stop those individuals travelling. They must be more proactive in the way they deal with football hooliganism."

FOOTBALL THUG IS BANNED FROM ALL SCOTTISH STADIUMS - 14/12/2007

Source : Paisley Daily Express

A FOOTBALL hooligan who was involved in an ugly confrontation with St Mirren fans in Paisley was yesterday banned from every stadium in the country for five years.

Ian Bear, an Airdrie casual, was among a riotous mob of thugs who gathered at Fountain Gardens in Love Street, challenging rival supporters to fight, shouting and swearing and making Nazi salutes.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how plain-clothes police officers had been alerted to be on the lookout for trouble after a group of 20-30 fans, who had obviously travelled through from Airdrie but were not wearing football tops or scarves, sat in a Paisley pub instead of going to the game.

Suspicions arose when several members of the group were seen to be making many phone calls as if they were planning something.

The court was told that the group, an established core of casuals known as Section B, had marshalled themselves shoulder-to-shoulder in a co-ordinated manner in Fountain Gardens as fans left Love Street at the end of a match between St Mirren and Airdrie on March 25, last year.

There was a large-scale disturbance as they charged forward, skirmishes broke out and police moved in to try to herd them away.

The court was told that young children had witnessed the scene as the hooligans, determined to cause trouble, charged forward.

They were singing, chanting and shouting “Section B” as they hurled abuse at Saints fans.

Bear had denied being part of a riotous mob of “evily-disposed persons”, which acted in a tumultuous manner to the alarm of others at Fountain Gardens, challenging rival fans to fight, shouting and swearing and making Nazi salutes and committing a breach of the peace.

But the electrician was convicted last month after trial.

Bear was identified by police who had been on duty after the game.

He insisted he was not a member of the Section B group and said he had been in Paisley that day with friends, some of whom were associated with the organisation.

Finding Bear guilty, Sheriff David Pender said that genuine football fans should be able to go to games without having to face such unacceptable conduct from those intent on causing trouble.

Bear had previously had sentence deferred for background reports and a community service assessment and, when he returned to court yesterday to learn his fate, Sheriff Pender put an order in place banning him from every stadium in the country for five years.

The accused was told he would have to report to his local police station within five days to formalise the procedure.

Bear was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service as a direct alternative to imprisonment.

Anderlecht fined after fan trouble - 14/12/2007

Source : Teamtalk

Anderlecht have been fined £12,857 for the improper conduct of their supporters during last week's UEFA Cup Group G game with Tottenham.The Belgian side were punished by the disciplinary arm of European football's governing body after spectators threw missiles onto the field of play during the December 6 game in Brussels.

Spurs midfielder Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by lighter thrown from the crowd, while goalkeeper Paul Robinson also picked up a metal rod which he handed to the fourth official after the final whistle of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

Anderlecht had already been fined for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier earlier in the season against Fenerbahce.

Zokora claimed afterwards that he was targeted as he used to play for Anderlecht's rivals Genk at the start of his career, yet he also had cause for celebration as the point earned Spurs a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Dutch football games cancelled over police strike and violence fear - 15/12/2007

Source : Nation Multimedia

Two Dutch football top match were cancelled on Saturday amid hooliganism fear in the wake of a police strike.

The mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam called off the games Ajax Amsterdam vs. PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord Rotterdam vs. AZ Alkmaar because they feared fan trouble due to an insufficient police at the games.

The decision came after a judge ruled late Friday that the two cities could not stop the police protest over a pay rise.