Season 07/08 - January

Football thugs caught on camera - 18/01/2008

Source : Lancashire Evening Post

These are six of the 12 people police are hunting in connection with violent clashes at a football match.

The trouble flared when Preston North End played at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena on September 1 last year.

These images were captured on CCTV cameras positioned around the arena.

They were handed to West Midlands Police by the Sky Blues.

The majority of the hooligans are believed to be Coventry fans.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to a number of incidents which took place at the end of the match.

Officers are keen to speak to the people in the pictures as they may be able to provide vital information to assist with the inquiry."

Violence erupted following the late kick-off match as home fans threw stones and coins at coaches full of North End supporters outside the ground. One bus packed with Lilywhites fans had a window smashed, and glass was cracked in another.

The damage to one coach was so bad that hire firm Traveller's Choice was forced to send another vehicle to Coventry to collect waiting supporters.

Two stewards suffered minor injuries in the disturbances, and several were verbally abused by supporters.

Another steward, Martin Harris, collapsed outside the ground and died in hospital from a heart attack.

But police have confirmed his death was not connected to the violence.

As well as a criminal conviction, police will be seeking football banning orders for anyone who is found guilty of being involved in the violent clashes.

West Midlands Police has also said it will work closely with the club to ensure that there are no further problems at the Ricoh.

The force is also urging any North End fans who may have images of the violence on their mobile phones to come forward.

Three charged with manslaughter after midweek football game - 19/01/2008

Source : Kathimerini

Three youths were charged with criminal offenses yesterday in connection to the killing of a 24-year-old man and the serious injury of a second, in a fight that broke out between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos supporters earlier this week. A magistrate charged the three Panathinaikos fans with manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and illegal possession of weapons for allegedly stabbing the two victims. The injured victim, aged 26, was in stable condition and his life is not thought to be in danger after he underwent an operation.

Ukraine: CSKA Kiev - Obolon Kiev - 19/01/2008

Source: youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je6tmayJjrs


SOMEONE TO CONFIRM THE TEAMS PLEASE

Inverness - Hearts of Midlothian - 21/01/2008

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

Hearts Yobs Fined After Train Behavior

FOUR football fans were fined yesterday for terrifying passengers on a train.

The Hearts supporters were returning to Edinburgh from their team's goalless draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard their antics caused other passengers to leave the carriage and a steward complained to police.

Ian Taylor, 34, Steven Duffy, 31, Paul Girdwood, 25, and Ian McKenzie, 38, admitted causing a breach of the peace on the train from Inverness to Edinburgh on November 25, 2006.

The four, all of Edinburgh, admitted being part of a rowdy crowd who shouted, swore and chanted throughout the journey.

They were originally charged with singing sectarian songs but this was deleted from the charge and a further allegation that the offence was aggravated by religious prejudice was also deleted.

Girdwood's not guilty plea to a further charge of possessing cocaine was accepted.

Brian Logan, prosecuting, said the train left Inverness at around 6.30pm with the four, who had all been drinking, on board.

They sang football songs throughout the three-and-a-half hour journey and were repeatedly warned about their behaviour by two police officers.

He added: "At one stage, a woman was seen to leave the compartment and go to another.

"The steward was upset and complained to police. A passenger supporting the same team left the carriage."

All four were arrested on arrival at Edinburgh.

Sheriff David Clapham told them: "Given the ages you have now reached, it is disappointing you find yourselves in the dock."

Taylor was fined £300, Girdwood £290 and Duffy and McKenzie £270 each.

1.FC Magdeburg - FC Schalke 04 - 19/01/2008

Source : Spiegel

Roma Fans Barred From Sampdoria, Spalletti Blasts Hooligans - 22/01/2007

Source : Goal.com

Roma fans have been banned from travelling to this Wednesday’s Coppa Italia match at Sampdoria after the stabbing of three Catania fans in Rome at the weekend.

The three Catania supporters had to be rushed to hospital with stab wounds prior to Sunday’s Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

As a consequence the Italian authorities have forbidden any Giallorossi supporters from entering the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for the Italian Cup quarter-final first leg.

"After looking at the serious incidents that occurred outside the Stadio Olimpico, which led to three Catania fans being injured, we decided to come down severely on the Roma fans," read a statement from Italy’s anti-hooliganism body.

"They [the stabbings] were caused by a core group of Roma supporters who deliberately organised and carried out the violence.

"We decided to act in the immediate, medium and long-term future."

This is not the first time that Roma supporters have caused trouble this season as they also were involved in serious riots in the Eternal City in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri on November 11 last year.

Giallorossi boss Luciano Spalletti has launched a scathing attack on those responsible for the stabbings.

"Those that commit acts of violence are delinquents, cretins and cowards," Spalletti told radio programme Anch'io lo Sport.

"They need to be stopped and to identify them we need the help of proper supporters.

"They now need to make an effort so that these cowards can be identified."

Rochdale AFC - Bradford City - 19/01/2008

Source : Rochdale Observer

Hooligan clash was planned on the web

FOOTBALL hooligans clashed in the streets after arranging a riot on the internet.

Around 100 Bradford City supporters battled with Rochdale fans and the police in the Whitworth Road area after the postponement of Saturday’s League Two game.

The game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at around 10.30am, but ugly clashes broke out and a window was smashed at the Bricklayers pub in Whitworth Road before the rival fans headed towards the town centre.

It is thought that the confrontation was organised through Bebo – an online networking site popular with teenagers and young people.

Footage of the incident was also posted on YouTube.

Members of one gang, known as the Rochdale Crew or the Rochdale Youth Firm, openly boasted on Bebo about their intentions to ‘go rioting’ and warned ahead of the game that Bradford were going to ‘have it’.

One of the shock messages reads: "If ur proud to represent Rochdale, get with the RYP every Saturday and go rioting against other towns etc.

"Ava look at my pics on Bebo ul see loads of us from Rochdale all mobbing up, Bradford this Saturday are guna ave it."

Many genuine fans were shocked by what had happened.

One fan wrote on Rochdale AFC’s official website: "It’s something the club could do with looking at.

"I gather a load of Bradford fans were coming over anyway for ‘a day out’ but some of it was organised with our Youth Firm, some of whom are online congratulating Bradford for their turnout."

Colin Garlick, the football club’s chief executive, condemned those responsible and promised to work with the police to clamp down on football-related violence.

He said: "We are totally against what has taken place and will support any action taken by private individuals or the police.

"It appears to be football-related and we do not condone it. We take a very dim view of these incidents and if the police can bring any successful prosecutions from the video evidence, we will support this."

Footage of the riot was also posted on YouTube before it was removed at the request of Rochdale MP Paul Rowen who was ‘disgusted’ by their actions.

Mr Rowen said: "I am disgusted at the antics of these so-called ‘football fans’. The fact that football hooliganism has touched our town is disgraceful.

"I am even more disgusted at the fact that footage has appeared on YouTube.

"If anyone from Rochdale was involved and we can identify them, then they should be banned from the ground for life."

A spokesman for the police said that no one was seriously injured, but damage had been reported at the pub.

He confirmed that officers were called to disperse the supporters and the away fans were escorted to the train station.



VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHm4JWS6C9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B61yKbqOrm0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5qGj95jHPM

Verboedering Geel - SK Lierse - 21/01/2008

Source: https://www.youtube.com

A fight opposed Lierse lads to a Geel/Genk/Sittard coalition.

REPORTS WELCOMED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSCT93o1Cug

Everton: Man gets football banning order - 23/01/2008

Source: BBC

A football fan has been jailed and given a six year Football Banning Order, for abusing staff and smoking cannabis at an Everton game.

Colin Gill, of Ullswater Street, Anfield was jailed for ten months at North Liverpool Community Justice Centre.

He was arrested after becoming abusive to stewards when caught smoking in the toilets at Goodison Park in Walton.

The incident took place at the Blues' game against Oldham on 5 January.

Gill pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, causing harassment and distress and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard the Everton fan was already serving a suspended sentence for another offence.

A spokesman for the Football Intel and Banning Orders Unit said: "I hope that this conviction and order sends out a clear message to those prepared to flout the regulations of the football club and smoke on the premises or those who are abusive to stewards or officers inside the grounds."

Bid to ban cross-border hooligans - 23/01/208

Source : BBC News

A Scots MP has tabled a bill seeking to close a loophole allowing banned fans from England and Wales to attend football matches north of the border.

Russell Brown said football banning orders had been "extremely effective" in reducing football violence.

However, he said any restrictions imposed in England and Wales were, at present, "unenforceable" in Scotland.

He said this meant known football hooligans were free to travel to games in the likes of Gretna and Dumfries.

Football banning orders were introduced in England and Wales in 2000.

Scotland followed suit six years later.

27 football hooligans convicted for brawl - 24/01/2008

Source : The Local

27 Swedish football hooligans have been convicted for rioting at a football match at Råsunda Stadium near Stockholm in 2004.

Solna district court convicted 27 of the 32 hooligans charged with offences including rioting and assault and battery, following the Stockholm derby match between AIK and Hammarby on October 18th 2004.

Three youths were sentenced to prison for two months and a further four for a month. Other penalties ranged from fines to suspended sentences and community service.

Five of those involved in the Råsunda riot were also convicted of assault and battery in connection with a match at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg in June 2005.

The match between AIK and Hammarby at Råsunda ended in chaos. When Hammarby scored to take a 1-0 lead on 64 minutes, AIK supporters tried to storm the pitch by pulling down the perimeter fence.

Police then battled the hooligans and were only able to get the situation under control by using water cannons.



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Source : The Canadian Press

A Stockholm court convicted 27 soccer fans Thursday for rioting and assault in what is believed to be the biggest hooligan trial in Swedish history.

The Solna District Court sentenced nine of the fans, all supporters of AIK Stockholm, to between one and two months in prison, while the others were given fines, community service and conditional sentences.

Five supporters were acquitted of charges because the surveillance camera material used in the trial couldn't prove they had been involved in the violence.

Twenty-four of the convictions related to rioting during the October 2004 league game between AIK and local rival Hammarby, which was interrupted for 45 minutes after AIK fans clashed with police who stopped them from entering the field.

Eight supporters were also convicted of assault or attempted assault during a 2005 match between AIK and GAIS in Goteborg.

All soccer fans were between 18 and 40 years old.

One person, who is still being sought by police, didn't show up at the trial.

UEFA chief wants police force to combat football violence - 24/01/2008

Source : AFP

UEFA chief Michel Platini on Thursday called for the creation of a police task force dedicated exclusively to fighting violence in football stadiums.

Former France and Juventus legend Platini said the creation of a "European Sports Police" would help curb hooligans on a continental level as well as at national level.

"A police force like this could work in conjunction with the legal authorities," said Platini, speaking at the Council of Europe.

Platini, named president of European football's ruling body last year, has evoked the creation of such a force several times in the past and intends to press his case this year because France will take over the EU presidency on July 1.

One of his main concerns, especially ahead of this summer's European football championships in Austria and Switzerland, is policing known hooligans from different countries at continental level.

Although Platini wants a Europe-wide force put in place, some police cooperation between the different countries does already exist.

In November 2007 the European Commission agreed to part finance a project that would see a specialised police force trained specifically to combat football-related violence.

European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said that strategies to combat such scourges were already in place.

"There is already quite close cooperation between the different police authorities from each country, and that is going to improve as the Euro 2008 approaches," he said.

Vitoria Guimaraes - SL Benfica - 26/01/2008

Source: mail - Benfica report (thanks to the sender)

Before the game many fights took place, Benfica were in Guimarães with 200 strong crew, we came in guimarães with small crews of 15, 20 ou 30 lads! They have the intire fucking city waiting, they use bottles, hatche´s, stone´s!
5 min before game start, 60 Benfica lads appear at front of Guimarães ultras gate, and start fighting all the lads we saw there! We won 90% of the fights that night!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXlHyhFLEo8

Coventry City - Millwall FC - FA Cup - 26/01/2008

Source : BBC News

Rival football fans in pub fight

About 30 police officers were sent to a city pub after fighting broke out between rival football fans.

Fighting broke out between Coventry City and Millwall football fans in the Flying Standard pub, Trinity Street, Coventry, ahead of an FA Cup match.

West Midlands Police officers, some with dogs, attended the scene.

Some customers fled onto the street and have described bottles and glasses being thrown into the air and clashes between opposing supporters.

The Sky Blues were taking on the south London club in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon.

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Six arrested over city disorder

Six people have been arrested after trouble broke out in Coventry following an FA Cup match.

Windows were smashed in Arena Park and some buses were damaged after violence following Coventry City Football Club's 2-1 win over Millwall.

There were also flashpoints in the Foleshill and Stoney Stanton Road areas where bricks where thrown.

Earlier, about 30 officers attended a pub in the city after fighting between rival fans ahead of Saturday's match.

'Locked the doors'

Some shops at Arena Park locked their doors to protect staff and customers after trouble broke out after the game.

One shopper, Linda Matthews, said she was coming out of Borders bookshop when a member of staff pulled her back inside.

"She dragged me and actually locked the doors and there were about 20 police officers in riot gear and everything else running along behind them (football fans)," she said.

"If she hadn't of got me back into the store I would have been caught up in the middle of it."

Pub fight

Fighting also broke out between Coventry City and Millwall football fans in the Flying Standard pub, Trinity Street, Coventry, ahead of the match.

West Midlands Police officers, some with dogs, attended the scene.

Some customers fled onto the street and have described bottles and glasses being thrown into the air and clashes between opposing supporters.

The Sky Blues took on the south London club in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon.

Police officer arrested at match - 14/01/2008

Source : BBC News

A Grampian Police officer is to stand trial accused of disorderly conduct at a Scottish Cup football match.

Kenneth Burnett was arrested while off-duty during Falkirk's fourth round tie against Aberdeen on Saturday.

The 44-year-old from Ellon appeared from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

He pleaded not guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner, shouting, swearing and committing a breach of the peace.

He was released on bail but told not to enter any Scottish football ground on match days.

He has not been suspended from duty by Grampian Police.

YOBS FOUND ON INTERNET - 25/01/2008

Source : The Star

FILM posted on the internet helped police track down yobs who went on the rampage in the worst incident of football hooliganism since Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium opened.

Scenes of Millwall fans charging the Doncaster Rovers supporters in the opening game of this season were placed on the YouTube video sharing site and gave police important evidence which helped them bring the culprits to justice.

Yesterday 14 Millwall supporters travelled to Doncaster for an appearance before the town's magistrates to answer a charge of violent disorder.

Four, including a 23-year-old woman, deny the offence and will be tried at a later date. The other 10 admitted being involved in the confrontation in the north stand at the Keepmoat on Saturday August 11.

Prosecutor Justin Bullas said 1,000 Millwall fans had travelled up to the first match of the season. He said the first half had passed peacefully but 10 minutes into the second half a number of them moved from their seats into an empty area of seating.

He told the court: "They were gesturing and shouting at Doncaster Rovers fans and the stewards and police and it became a large scale charge across that area.

"It involved an estimated number in excess of 100 although some believed it was up to 200. Police reinforcements were sent for and moved in to intervene. A number of baton strikes were applied to Millwall fans and a number were sprayed with pepper spray as they struggled to regain control.

"It was the worst case of violence at the Keepmoat since it opened. A number of them had climbed over a metal barrier and were trying to intimidate the home supporters and the atmosphere was said to be very hostile."

The incident lasted about 10 minutes before police restored calm.

Police trawled the internet and found good quality mobile phone footage on YouTube which was used to trace some of those involved in the charge.

They were identified with help from the Metropolitan Police and publicity in south London.


A section of Millwall fans confront Rovers supporters at the Keepmoat Stadium last August

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FHtOzl77F4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYEJgDG-juw&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwi84xaonVk&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a78a36jM16g&feature=related

Luton Town - Leeds United - 26/01/2008

Source: youtube.com

A few Leeds fans were inside local stand where scuffles erupted before a stewards intervention.

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

Bari - Chievo - 19/01/2008

Source : Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snUoJiXcn60

Vice-President: Bulgaria Will Not Pardon Michael Shields - 27/01/2008

Source : Sofia News Agency

Bulgaria's Vice President Anguel Marin has reiterated that his country will not pardon Michael Shields, the British football fan, who was sentenced here for the attempted murder of a barman.

The vice president responded to a question of a Bulgarian citizen during a press conference that marked the first year since President Georgi Parvanov stepped into the office for a second term.

"I made my position known as early as two years ago - I am not going to pardon Michael Shields. His sentence is a lesson to all football hooligans and the fact that he will not be pardoned is part of this lesson," the vice president said.

"Michael Shields says it is tough for him to be in prison and I sympathise with him. Yet I believe that the young man who was injured as a result of his actions deserves much more sympathies and gestures of understanding," he added.

The statement comes to reinforce the stand of President Georgi Parvanov, who said at the beginning of the year that the Bulgarian authorities can't be expected to give their agreement for pardoning Michael Shields.

Michael Shields, who turned 21 in September last year, was arrested in Bulgaria as he returned from Liverpool's champions league victory in Istanbul in the summer of 2005.

He was convicted for the attempted murder of bartender Martin Georgiev in the Golden Sands resort in May 2005. The initial sentence of fifteen years was reduced a year later to ten years' imprisonment.

Last year Michael Shields returned to Britain to complete his sentence and was said to have passed a lie detector test with "flying colours".

The Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, stipulating that each party to it may grant pardon, amnesty or commutation of the sentence in accordance with its constitution or other laws, is applicable in the case.

Sporting - FC Porto - 27/01/2008

Source : Post

A few scuffles erupted between Some Ultras Of FC Porto and some Sporting Lads, outside the ground before the beginning of the game. Some scuffles erupted between some ultras Of Juventude Leonina And Directivo Ultras XXI, Police Interview .

MVV Maastricht - Dordrecht - 25/01/2008

Source: forum

A fight took place between firms from both sides.
Two locals were injured and transfered to hospital.

Excelsior Virton - SK Lierse - 16/01/2008

Source: Sud Presse

About 700 Lierse fans made the trip to Virton.
A fight took place between them.

Sabadell - Terrasa - 27/01/2008

Source: Super Hincha

At the end of the game, a brick was threw at Terrasa fans coach.
Police forces charged.

Nationwide ban for football hooligans - 28/01/2008

Source : Doncaster Today

MEMBERS of a gang of football hooligans who threatened supporters at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium have been banned from every ground in the country.

The group of six Millwall fans and four more of the London club's supporters were all caught after mobile phone videos of the disturbance were posted on the internet site YouTube.

The disruption, the worst since the Keepmoat stadium opened, broke out in the north stand just after half-time in Rovers' first game of the season at home against Millwall on August 11 last year.

A group of 14 Millwall supporters travelled from London to appear before Doncaster magistrates accused of affray following the disruption.

Ten of them pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Another four, including a 23-year-old woman denied the offence and will stand trial in April.

Five of the 10 who pleaded guilty received a three year football banning order barring them from attending any football match including England internationals.

They were each also ordered to serve 80 hours community service and pay £50 costs.

The other five were bailed and will be sentenced next month, four in London and one in Wigan.

Speaking after the hearing PC Andy Baker said, "We have worked closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to bring to justice the people who caused disorder.

"Doncaster police will not tolerate this type of behaviour and treat such incidents seriously."

Justin Bullas, prosecuting, told the court 1,000 Millwall fans had travelled to Doncaster for the game.

He added 10 minutes into the second half a number of Millwall fans climbed over a metal barrier into an empty area of seating and were trying to intimidate home supporters.

Mr Bullas said: "They were gesturing and shouting at Doncaster Rovers fans and the stewards and police and it became a large scale charge across that area.

"It involved an estimated number in excess of 100 although some believed it was up to 200. Police reinforcements were sent for and moved in to intervene.

"A number of baton strikes were applied to Millwall fans and a number were sprayed with pepper spray as they struggled to regain control."

The disturbance lasted for about 10 minutes.

Mansfield Town - Middlesbrough - FA Cup - 26/01/2008

Source : Mansfield Chad

Two Stags fans charged after cup game

TWO Mansfield Town supporters have been charged by police after violence flared at a town centre pub after the Stags' FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday.
A number of police officers were attacked at the Black Swan as they tried to prevent Mansfield fans from leaving the Albert Street pub and confronting 'Boro followers.

It led to eight people being arrested and 52 individuals hit with a Direction to Leave notice, which effectively banned them from the town centre until the end of the night.

Said Supt Mark Pollock: "We had received intelligence that a number of hooligans who associate themselves with Mansfield Town were intending to try and meet up with some Middlesbrough fans and cause trouble.

"We understood those individuals had based themselves in the Black Swan public house, so a number of officers were sent to the Black Swan to prevent them coming into contact with any Middlesbrough fans.

'Disorder'

"An incident of disorder broke out when some fans in the pub attacked police officers. This resulted in eight people being arrested, and two people were later charged with public order offences. Three people were issued with Penalty Notices for Disorder, also for public order offences.

"Two of those arrested were released on police bail pending further enquiries, with the last individual being arrested to prevent a breach of the peace. No further action has been taken against this person."

Officers say there was no trouble at Field Mill during the Fourth Round tie, although they are hunting an individual who threw a flare into the stadium from the nearby Oasis car park after the game.

Glyn Keeling (36), of Kenilworth Avenue, Sutton, and a 17-year-old male from Mansfield were charged with public order offences in relation to an incident at the Black Swan pub.