Season 07/08 - January

Ticket tout banned from all football grounds - 03/01/2008

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

A LIVERPOOL ticket tout has been banned from all football grounds in England and Wales for four years.

John Paul Jennings, 28, was hit with the four year football banning order after being caught red handed by undercover police.

Jennings, of Handfield Street, Everton, was caught by plain-clothes officers outside Anfield in October.

He offered the pair tickets to the Liverpool vs Tottenham game being played that day, unaware they were there to target touts.

Now he is not allowed to have any tickets - legitimate or not - for any football matches for the next four years.

A judge at the North Liverpool Community Justice Centre also banned Jennings from going near either Anfield or Goodison Park for four hours before a game and one hour after.

And he was barred from visiting any city hosting an away fixture for either the Reds or the Blues on the day of the match.

As well as being banned from all football stadiums in England and Wales, Jennings was fined £500 and ordered to pay £300 costs at a hearing at the CJC, in Boundary Street, Kirkdale, in December.

It is the second banning order Jennings has been hit with. His last, a three-year order for a similar touting offence, ran out only a few months before he was caught again.

A Football Banning Order is a civil order, much like an Asbo and like its anti-social behaviour counterpart, any breaches are dealt with as a criminal matter and the offender can be arrested by police.

Merseyside Police Football Officer Lee Lomax said: “Ticket touting is taken seriously and we are determined to do all that we can to prevent the practice.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the clubs across Merseyside to ensure that genuine fans do not become disappointed by fake or forged tickets.”

Six football clubs fined - 04/01/2008

Source : VietNamNet Bridge

The National Cup Tournament 2008 organising board has decided to fine six clubs because their 4-5 players received yellow cards at the first qualifier round took place on December 29, 2007.

Hai Phong Cement and Military Zone 4 clubs will have to pay fine worth VND2 million each while Military Zone 7, T&T Hanoi, Dong Thap Rubber and Hoang Anh – Gia Lai will pay VND1 million each.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has also issued new regulations to restrict violence at stadiums.

According to the regulations, a football team will be fined between VND10 to VND50 million if their fans light fire or crackers, attack players or officials, throw hard items to playground, insult players or officials, etc. In addition, the team will be considered as the loser in that match.

In 2007, crowd violence occurred during some V-League matches. The first outbreak of hooliganism occurred during a clash between home team Halida Thanh Hoa and Da Nang in April during which Thanh Hoa fans invaded the pitch and held up play for almost an hour in the sixth round match.

A repeat of the trouble occurred in Thanh Hoa's 12th round match against Sai Gon Port on May 20 at HCM City's Military Zone 7 Stadium. Thanh Hoa's fans clashed with home fans, lit fires and threw bottles and chairs onto the pitch in protest at a decision by the referee, which caused the game to be stopped in the 66th minute.

A referee was attacked by fans during a match between home team Dong Tam – Long An and Hoang Anh Gia Lai in July. As their team looked increasingly certain to lose the match, Long An audience threw bricks and stones at the referees. Referee assistant Chau Duc Thanh, was wounded seriously after being struck in the head by a stone in the 78th minute. The wound required several stitches.

Iraklis - Olympiacos - 05/01/2008

Source : Kathimerini

On Saturday, a 22-year-old man was arrested during Thessaloniki club Iraklis’s home game against Olympiakos after attacking a game security official with a fire extinguisher and then tossing it onto the pitch. No injuries were reported.

Transport police crackdown on hooligans - 05/01/2008

Source : The Star

Football hooligans travelling through South Yorkshire on trains this weekend will be targeted by police in a new crackdown.
British Transport Police, who tackle crime and disorder on trains, will have 790 officers on duty this weekend - sending out a message that hooliganism will not be tolerated.

Extra officers have been drafted in to deal with potential trouble as fans travel to 3rd Round FA Cup games.

Sheffield United are away at Bolton at 3pm today, Wednesday are away at Derby at 2pm tomorrow and Barnsley are at home to Blackpool at 3pm today.

Last year the force saw an increase in football-related violence with 83 incidents compared to 56 the year before and with incidents of anti-social behaviour up from 260 to 305.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pacey, leading the operation, said: “We want genuine fans and the general public to be able to travel in safety and without being subjected to intimidation or other forms of anti-social behaviour.

“There are many people who have a role to play in eliminating disorder. We are working with the clubs and the rail industry and are urging the 99 per cent of genuine fans to play their part as well - passing on information about football hooligans is of the utmost importance and there is a dedicated hooligan hotline where you can do that.

“This is a big sporting weekend with thousands of fans crisscrossing the country to see their teams. For British Transport Police it is a major logistical exercise starting early in the morning and finishing late at night.

“Our aim is to have enough officers in the right places at the right times to pre-empt any trouble between rival groups.

“The violence and anti-social behaviour experienced by rail staff and other passengers is the product of a small minority of travelling fans, but it remains at unacceptable.

Tranmere Rovers - Hereford United - FA Cup - 05/01/2008

Source : Hereford Times

Arrests spoil FA Cup result

HEREFORD United's excellent FA Cup draw against Tranmere Rovers was marred by several arrests.

Merseyside police arrested 16 away supporters on Saturday for public order offences.

They included disruptive behaviour, spitting at a steward, and making an abusive gesture.

Four fans in the away end were also ejected, while five were arrested outside Prenton Park for drink-related offences.

West Mercia police also sent undercover officers to Birkenhead yesterday to pick out troublemakers.

Around 2,000 Hereford fans travelled to the Wirral for the third round tie, which finished 2-2.

The replay is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, at Edgar Street.

Chesterfield FC - Grimsby Town - Cup - 05/01/2008

Source : The Star

FOOTBALL fans were arrested at Chesterfield's game against Grimsby on Saturday when violence flared on The Kop.
Chesterfield's stadium director Phil Taylor claimed trouble erupted after a number of Grimsby fans infiltrated the home end and sat among rival supporters.

Police and stewards separated the brawling fans and ejected troublemakers before the fight escalated.

A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman confirmed a number of arrests had been made for public disorder but was unable to say whether they were all Chesterfield or Grimsby fans.

The referee detailed the incident in his official report.



Source: youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cj1w-HJzEI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36ylx4tFmWI&feature=related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9w5qgFpjCE

Atromitos Athens - Panionios - 06/01/2008

Source : Kathimerini

The weekend’s round of Super League football action was blemished by off-field violence reported in Athen.
Yesterday, fighting broke out between a number of visiting Panionios fans and supporters of the host side Atromitos outside the latter’s stadium prior to kickoff. One home-team fan needed to be hospitalized.

Israel: Maccabi Petach Tikva FC - Maccabi Haifa FC - 06/01/2008

Source : Ha'aretz

Police yesterday released Hapoel Ramat Gan goalie Yaniv Wahaba and five Hapoel Petah Tikva fans suspected of participating in a brawl after Saturday's football match between the two teams.

The fans - two of which were rushed to the hospital to receive treatment for serious wounds - claim they were beaten by the police during their arrest.

"They just beat us," said one of the suspects, a member of a combat unit in the Israel Defense Forces. "One police officer put me up against a wall and started beating me, kneeing me in the stomach. I fell on the floor and five others came and started kicking me. A female police officer begged them to stop, but they carried on."

Hapoel Petah Tikva said it was considering filing a complaint against Ramat Gan over the behavior of Wahaba, who is believed to have punched one of the fans.

Millwall: Football fans banned after assault - 07/01/2008

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

Four Millwall supporters have received football-banning orders after an incident in Cheltenham, police said.
A 34-year-old man and 17-year-old youth from London received the orders along with a 20 year-old Hertfordshire man and a man from Kent, aged 25.

All received three-year bans after being involved in an assault on a man in Cheltenham on August 26 last year.

The incident took place on Swindon Road as Millwall fans walked back to the train station from the Whaddon Road ground.

The three men also received a £500 fine and were ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim and the youth was fined £250 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim.

PC Mark Smith said: "We hope this is a warning to anyone who is considering getting involved in football related disorder.

"As this shows, police in Cheltenham will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and will push for the toughest penalties.

"We're determined to ensure anyone who is intent on causing trouble in or outside the ground will not be able to attend football matches in the town in the future.

"This shows it is the minority who think it they can get away with this sort of behaviour.

"By working together we can ensure this minority do not attend football matches in the future."

Dundee: Ground ban for football hooligans - 07/01/2008

Source: BBC

Five football hooligans from Dundee have been banned from every ground in Britain after organising a street fight with visiting English rivals.

The casuals were arrested after a pre-season friendly between Dundee FC and London club Millwall in July.

Paul Barr, 20, Barry Greig, 25, Paul Hunter, 33, Alan Mearns, 33, and Paul Larnyoh, 37, admitted the charges against them at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Barr and Larnyoh were also jailed for five and three months respectively.

Greig was given a restriction of liberty order, banning him from leaving his home between 0700 GMT and 1900 GMT for six months.

Hunter received a similar order applying between 2100 GMT and 0600 GMT for eight months. Sentence on Mearns was deferred.
The court heard that only the arrival of police reinforcements prevented a battle between the rival football gangs.

Sheriff Richard Davidson said: "In this city there has been very little football crime compared to other parts of the country, for which I am extremely glad.

"I have to make it clear that there are very tough penalties for this sort of behaviour, which includes imposing football banning orders.

"You are precisely the type of people we don't want at football matches."

Casuals from Aberdeen and Edinburgh were 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 Dens Park.

Escorted by police

The game on 14 July, which attracted a crowd of 2,385, passed off without any major incident.

After the match, Millwall supporters were kept inside the ground to allow Dundee fans to leave.

A group of about 60 Millwall fans were then escorted by police from the ground to the city centre train station.

However, a group of around 60 Dundee fans rushed towards the Millwall group en route.

The five arrested formed part of a disorderly crowd which shouted, swore and gesticulated, challenged Millwall supporters to fight and repeatedly incited others to attack the rival fans.

Huddersfield: ‘Police were over the top at match’ - 07/01/2008

Source: Huddersfield Daily Examiner

POLICE who arrested eight Huddersfield Town fans at a match on New Year’s Day were accused of being “heavy-handed”.

Town fans who were not involved in any problems said the officers on duty were over-zealous from well before the game.

One man, who does not want to be named, accused Nottinghamshire Police of being “over the top” during the game against Nottingham Forest.

In one incident he said a supporter was dragged away from his seat and accused of taking illegal drugs – for sucking on a lozenge.

Police said among the troublemakers was a coach load of drunk Town fans on a stag party.

All eight fans who were arrested – for alleged alcohol-related offences – have been bailed to appear before Nottingham magistrates later this month.

But the 24-year-old supporter, who has followed Town for 20 years and was not among those charged, said officers had caused problems for themselves by preempting trouble.

He said: “There was a group of us that had gone down on the coach, including women and children.

“As soon as we got into the town centre it was like the police were expecting trouble.

“We got sent from pub to pub because they wouldn’t let us in anywhere.

“We were told by police that it was because some Bristol City fans had smashed a few places up when they played Forest. It was like we were being punished for that.”

The stewards and police started behaving aggressively the minute the Town fans arrived at Forest’s City Ground, he said.

One supporter was pushed down the steps in the away section of the ground by an officer after an exchange of words with a Forest fan.

The fan said he himself then injured his knee when an officer barged past him, causing him to fall over the seats in front.

He added: “One thing which I found hilarious was one of my friends put a Fishermans Friend in his mouth and they accused him of taking drugs.

“It was all very over the top.”

The man, who spent a lot of the first half of the game receiving treatment for a knee injury, said he was now pursuing a personal injury claim.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokeswoman said: “Nottinghamshire Police positively policed the match between Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest.

“The majority of the fans behaved themselves and enjoyed the game but a small minority misbehaved.

“Eight away fans were arrested inside the ground for alcohol related offences.

“A coach load of intoxicated Huddersfield fans, who had been on a stag do, attended the match and required attention from officers.

“Also, potential troublemakers from both sides were identified by officers and were policed accordingly.”

Liverpool: Racist chants cost teen soccer fan three year ban - 07/01/2008

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

THE ringleader of a group of youths who sang racially abusive songs as they made their way to a football match has received a three-year banning order.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 17-years-old when the offence occurred last July on a train from Chester to Wrexham.

Wyn Jones, prosecuting, told Wrexham Youth Court the teenager was one of about 100-plus Liverpool supporters who took the train from Liverpool to attend a friendly match between Wrexham and Liverpool at The Racecourse in Wrexham.

Mr Jones said there had been some complaints about the supporters' behaviour on the Liverpool to Chester train and later, when the Chester to Wrexham train was about to depart, two transport police officers boarded the train.

He said the youth was seen by the officers singing and chanting racist and offensive songs and chants along with other youths, and that the group as a whole was not deterred by the fact the officers were witnessing what was going on.

Mr Jones said the songs related to the racist murder in Liverpool of Anthony Walker and the Heysel Stadium disaster where 39 mostly Italian supporters died.

He said the youth was interviewed and accepted his behaviour was "disgraceful" and he was ashamed of his actions. However he denied using any racial language.

Prosecution witness PC Geoffrey Robinson, from British Transport Police based in Chester, who escorted the group on the train from Chester to Wrexham, said there were 30 to 40 supporters dressed predominantly in black.

PC Robinson said that after passengers boarded the Wrexham train, almost instantly a group of about 15 to 20 youths between 16 and 20-years-old began singing and chanting racial songs which continued throughout the journey.

He said his colleague brought to his attention the defendant who was predominantly banging on the ceiling of the train with his fist even after they were given verbal warni
ngs by the officer.

PC Robinson said whenever the singing would taper off, the defendant banged on the ceiling to encourage the group to start singing again. The youth was identified by his colleague as a ringleader.

He said the majority of the singing was "pure racial, disgraceful singing" and was predominantly the same three songs being repeated with the banging of the fists on the ceiling and other features of the train.

PC Joan Moore, who also escorted the group to Wrexham, said during the journey she felt intimidated and was in fear for the passengers, who without doubt, would have heard the singing.

PC Moore said the youth was arrested once the train got to Wrexham as she took him to be the principle member of that group as he was leading the singing.

The youth had pleaded not guilty and told the court he was not singing racial songs as he had a lot of black friends.

Riots at Indoor-Soccer Championchip in Schwedt (Germany) - 07/01/2008

Source: http://www.moz.de/index.php/Moz/Article/category/Uckermark/id/214373

The indoor-soccer Championchip in Schwedt (Germany) must be stop a for a few minutes. Ultras from Hansa Rostock fight against 30-40 lads from Pogon Stettin (Poland).



Others pics : http://www.mmszczecin.pl/blog/entry/4092/Amatorzy+z+Rostocku+%281%29.html

Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w1LDQkO0RU&eurl=

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

Source: own

About 20 of polish Pogon Szczecin boys have been there.
Pogon attacked about 40 of Hansa ultras, when Hansa started to shout ''
Pogon Szcecin scheisse''. Fast security and OB intervention, so nothing else happened in the arena.

Flensburg (Germany) - Police against rowdys - 07/01/2008

Source: http://www.polizeipresse.de/p_story.htx?firmaid=6313

30-35 alcoholic Fans from Holstein Kiel attack police at the Indoor-Soccer-Cup in Flensburg. Police call extra units for help.

Aston Villa - Manchester United - FA Cup - 05/01/2008

Source : Empics + Reuters

Thirteen Leeds United fans handed football banning orders - 08/01/2007

Source : Yorkshire Evening Post

Disabled football fans cowered in fear as Leeds United thugs showered them with coins and abuse after their team was relegated last season, a court heard.
The eight wheelchaired-bound Ipswich Town supporters suffered injuries including a cut face and bruising after they were trapped pitchside by around 100 hooligans.

The marauding mob swarmed towards the away end at Elland Road during the final minutes of the 1-1 match last April.

Today at Leeds Crown Court 11 men and two youths pleaded guilty to affray in connection with the pitch invasion, sparked after fans learned that Leeds United had been relegated.

The 13 were handed Football Banning Orders (FBO) totalling 45 years.

It means they are banned from any regulated domestic football match and England Internationals.

They are not allowed within one mile of Elland Road stadium on match days either three hours before the game or two hours afterwards.

This restriction also applies to Leeds City Train Station during home games.

And the unlucky 13 are also banned during away games from being within five miles of a stadium where Leeds United are playing, again three hours before and two hours after.

The court was shown video footage shot by the police and CCTV cameras inside the ground.

It showed around 200 fans invading the pitch just before 5pm and heading towards the directors' box before a splinter group of around 100 makes a beeline for the South East stand where 1,500 Ipswich Town fans were sat.

Many Ipswich fans are seen running for the exit but those in wheelchairs are forced to stay as the baying mob lined up in front of a just a handful of police officers separating them from the away supporters.

Many are shouting abuse and chanting and some are filmed throwing missiles including coins, bottles and even a corner flag into the stand.

The Recorder of Leeds Peter Collier Q.C. said: "Unfortunately among the Ipswich supporters were a number of disabled people who could not flee as they were in wheelchairs.

"Many of them were frightened and a number of them suffered injuries by items thrown from the pitch."

He accepted that all 13, many of whom handed themselves in to police after their pictures appeared in local papers, had expressed their remorse and shame after being shown how their actions had terrified the disabled fans.

But the judge added FBOs had to be imposed "not as a punishment, but to prevent any future football violence".

The judge also commended the officers on duty during the game for "diffusing the situation rather than aggravating it" and praised the fair and sensitive investigation that followed.

The sentences for the 13 supporters are as follows:

1. Nathan Addison, 22, St James Road, Halifax. Four months in prison. Six year Football Banning Order (FBO).
2. Graham Brewer, 37, of Leven Street, Saltburn-by-the Sea, Cleveland. Four months in prison suspended for 12 months. 280 hours Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £500 costs.
3. Stephen Marshall, 39, Sycamore Court, Selby. Four months in prison suspended for 12 months. 240 hours Community & Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £500 costs.
4. Neil Masterman, 23, Grange Court, North Grange Mount, Headingley, Leeds. Four months in prison suspended for 12 months. 240 hour Community & Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £300 costs.
5. Paul Fox, 37, Granny Avenue, Churwell, Leeds. Four months in prison suspended for 12 months. 240 hours Community & Unpaid Work order. Three year FBO. £300 costs.
6. Craig Lackey, 41, Hawkswood View, West Park, Leeds. Six months in prison (Including four months for breach of previous suspended sentence). Six year FBO.
7. Craig Spencer, 22, Exley Gardens, Exley, Halifax. 240 hours Community & Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £500 costs.
8. David Cousins, 34, Inglewood Drive, Cross Gates, Leeds. 200 hour Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £250 costs.
9. Christopher Bird, 20, Brooklands Avenue, Seacroft, Leeds. 200 hour Community & Unpaid Work Order, 12-month Supervision Order and ordered to attend a programme in enhanced thinking skills. Three year FBO. £250 costs.
10. Aaron Bratton, 17, Lanshaw Crescent, Belle Isle, Leeds. 180 hours Community & Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £250 costs.
11. Shaun Booth, 40, Bourneville, Goole. 150 hour Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £250 costs.
12. Cawley, 16, Blenheim Square, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. 12-month Action plan Order. Three year FBO.
13. Nigel Bishop, 40, Lane Road, Lincoln. 150 hour Community & Unpaid Work Order. Three year FBO. £400 costs.

Derby day home visits for hooligans - 08/01/2008

Source : The Star

FOOTBALL hooligans are to get home visits from police before the first Steel City derby of the season to try to prevent violence at the game.
Officers plan to give known troublemakers "face to face warnings" about their behaviour and the consequences they face if they become involved in violence before, during or after the game.

Sheffield District Commander Chf Supt Jon House said the police operation to crack down on hooliganism at the game, which kicks off at 12.45pm on Saturday January 19, was already well under way.

Officers have been gathering intelligence on troublemakers and fans likely to orchestrate matchday violence.

Police warned arrests are due to be made ahead of the much-anticipated derby - the first since 2006 - to try to disrupt possible pre-planned violence.

For the first time ever at a city football match police will use new powers to ban troublemakers from attending the game or going anywhere near Hillsborough ground on the day.

Under the Violent Crime Reduction Act, officers have the right to ban people from an area for up to 48 hours if they suspect they are likely to get involved in alcohol-related violence.

Mr House said: "The police operation has started already and arrests will be made shortly as a result of intelligence obtained ahead of the game and as a result of other incidents, such as when Sheffield Wednesday played Barnsley.

"Over the last 18 months we have seen the return of more and more families to both clubs and a reduction of violence and disorder and we want to keep it that way."

Derby day clashes in previous seasons have resulted in violence around the city, including pre-planned fights.

Luton Town - Liverpool - FA Cup - 06/01/2008

Source : The Sun

Carragher's war on terrace

THIS is the flashpoint moment when raging Jamie Carragher lunged at taunting fans – and offered to FIGHT them.

The Liverpool defender lost it over banter by eight Luton supporters wearing curly black wigs and yellow shellsuits like the bickering Scousers from ’90s comedy show Harry Enfield’s Television Programme.

Like the TV characters, they urged him to “calm down” as he jogged round the pitch with teammates after Sunday’s FA Cup draw at Luton’s ground.

They also hurled remarks about midfielder John Arne Riise’s ginger hair.

Ex-England player Carragher first shouted at the fans, who were in a box on the terraces, from the pitch. But then he leapt up a fence to confront them.

Carragher, 29, screamed obscenities and yelled: “Come on – let’s have it!” Security guards had to drag him away.

Luton fan Michael Sapsford, who was in the box, said: “This is a Premiership star behaving like a thug.”

Plumber Michael, 24, added: “He couldn’t cope with banter in good spirits that hundreds of other players put up with every week.”

No complaint was made after the game – attended by new England boss Fabio Capello.

But a Luton FC spokesman said: “There was a problem being investigated by our safety officer.”

Universidad de Chile convicted - 03/01/2008

Source : Reuters

Universidad de Chile has been convicted to pay a 4.000$ penalty and will have to play the two next games without any spectators, following the troubles provocked last december by its supporters against Colo-Colo

Rot-Weiss Mülheim - Galatasaray Mülheim (indoor) - 06/01/2008

Source : Reviersport online

Following a referee's decisions concidered as unfair by the Germano-Turkish fans from the Galatasaray Mülhein, players, staff and supporters had an argue with the three referees.
Fights between German and Turkish fans occured afterward.
A Turkish player has been seriously injured.








More pics : http://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/waz/2008/1/6/news-14451815/detail.html

Troubles at the Dessau indoor tournament - 04,05,06/01/2008

Source : WELT ONLINE + Unveu website

Some troubles occured between fans during the indoor tournament at the Anhalt-Arena, in Dessau, mostly during the semi-final, between Hallescher FC and Union Berlin. This game has been interrupted for a few minutes, when Berlin fans began to throw bottles into the spectators.
The police had to react several times during the tournament. Lots of HFC hooligans have been fired from the pitch, and playsers himselves attacked the referees.
Concidering those violences, the organisators decided to cancel the competition, without any winners for this 35 edition.























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

source: mail

Troubles at the end of the tournament. 2 people arrested.

Following Chesterfield - Grimsby: Football fans' arrest - 10/01/2007

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

Football club officials are working with police after crowd trouble broke out at Saturday's match between Chesterfield FC and Grimsby Town.
Eleven fans from Grimsby were arrested for a variety of offences following incidents behind both goals during the game.

Trouble flared only ten minutes into the match when around ten Grimsby fans, who had got into the Kop end amongst Chesterfield fans, began chanting and a scuffle broke out.

At the same time a number of Grimsby fans watching from the away end attempted to get on to the pitch before being dealt with by police and stewards.

Four people were arrested for encroaching on to the playing area while two fans were arrested for breaching their banning orders, one for being drunk and disorderly, one for affray and three for public order offences.

All have been bailed pending further enquiries and both football clubs are helping Derbyshire police with a post-match disorder investigation – which includes studying CCTV footage.

l Stewards get to grips with the invaders.

Fan jailed after football violence - 01/01/2008

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

A FOOTBALL fan from Northallerton who was jailed for fighting with rival supporters in Rome will spend at least three months in an Italian prison.

Manchester United fan Richard Wimmer, 39, was jailed for fighting with AS Roma supporters. The brawl came as United fans clashed with those of AS Roma before a Champions League match on December 12.

Wimmer, of South Parade, Northallerton, was one of four fans from England to be prosecuted.

advertisementKyle Dillon, 23, Nicholas Lukas, 18, and Michael Burke, 35, were arrested with him before the match, which ended 1-1. They were charged with assault and resisting arrest by the Italian police.

Wimmer and Dillon were both jailed for two years and six months, while Burke and Lukas were sentenced to two years and five months.

An appeal hearing was held last week, but the four will remain in prison until a new trial date is set.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "They are being held in jail in Italy and have not been sent back to the UK. There was an appeal on Monday and their lawyer is still going forward with the case. The case could still take two to three months before a date is set for another trial."

The four were part of a group of fans who were being escorted to AS Roma's Stadio Olimpico.

They are thought to have joined a 60-strong gang of Manchester United fans who broke away from the main group. They then ran into rival AS Roma fans close to the Duca d'Aosta bridge, where fighting broke out.

Greater Manchester Police hooligan spotters identified the four to Italian officers for their part in the fighting.

A police spokesman said they had not been not subject to any football banning orders.

Michael Heaton, branch secretary of the Harrogate and District Manchester United Supporters' Club, said: "I have been all over the world following Manchester United for over 50 years and I'm not a hooligan.

"But some of the things you have to put up with when you travel abroad are disgraceful."

Five other Manchester United fans were stabbed in violence which marred the match.

Following Hereford - Tranmere - 08/01/2008

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

18 arrests after FA cup clash

EIGHTEEN people were arrested for minor offences during Tranmere Rovers third-round FA Cup tie against Hereford United on Saturday afternoon.

One Rovers' fan was among them. Ten people were arrested before the game, eight of whom were arrested for being drunk and trying to enter the stadium and two of whom were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Six were arrested during the game, with five of those for being drunk and disorderly and one of whom was on suspicion of assault.

advertisement
One fan was arrested after the game for being drunk and disorderly. One was arrested for breaching a football banning order.

A police spokesman said: "Other than the minor incidents the fixture passed without any significant issues. Whilst both teams were robustly supported by their fans, this did not retract from the general friendly atmosphere within the grounds.

"Merseyside Police work closely with football clubs to enure the safety of all football fans."

Prenton Park boss Ronnie Moore said: "I wasn't aware that there had been any trouble outside the ground. It's a shame, because the atmosphere during the game was good."

ARGYLE FANS TARGETED BY CRIME ORDER - 10/01/2008

Source : Plymouth Evening Herald

A new dispersal order will be used to stop Argyle fans fighting with opposition supporters.

Orders that have been in force over the past three seasons have helped to curb anti-social behaviour, crime and intimidation by groups of troublemakers.

Police reapplied for a dispersal order to cover the Home Park stadium and surrounding area this season.

The new order, approved by Plymouth City Council, will come into effect on Saturday, January 26 and last until Saturday, April 26. It will apply between 8am and 11.59pm on days when Argyle are playing at home.

Police will be allowed to break up groups of potential troublemakers in the stadium and a large area surrounding it.

There have been eight dispersal orders in operation at Argyle's home ground since September 1, 2004 and three arrests for failing to disperse. The current order is due to expire on January 19.

Cllr Peter Brookshaw, the council's Cabinet member for Safer, Stronger Communities, signed the order under delegated powers this week.

"These orders have proved extremely valuable in terms of enabling the police to break up groups of hooligans who hang around after matches with the sole purpose of clashing with opposing fans," he said.

"If these groups are allowed to increase in size, the general mood of individuals turns ugly and that's when the trouble starts."