Season 07/08 - March

India: Football violence, five injured after East Bengal defeat to MU - 01/03/2008

Source : UNI

About five people were injured and properties of the Barasat stadium were damaged when a section of the soccer fans ran riot after their favourite team East Bengal lost to Mahindra United 0-2 in the IFA Shield today, police said.

The trouble sparked off as soon as the referee blew the wistle to end the play.

Lathi wielding police soon tried to pacify the wild fans, who pelted stones, breaking the glass panes of the stadium office.

Two fans were arrested for hooliganism.

The clashes made the organizers, Indian Football Association, in deep trouble about the remaining plays in this district stadium.

Earlier, this stadium was discarded by the All India Football Federation for the Indian Premier league due to lack of proper infrastructure.

Red Star beat Partizan 4-1 behind closed doors - 01/03/2008

Source : Reuters

Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade came from behind to beat 10-man league leaders and city rivals Partizan 4-1 in an action-packed derby played behind closed doors on Saturday.

No fans were present to see Red Star's best performance of the season as they completed a three match crowd ban at the league's restart from a two-month long winter break.

Red Star had been punished for a riot during a home match in December when their fans seriously injured a police officer. Three club officials were arrested for negligence but were released pending further investigation.

Arsenal FC - Aston Villa - 01/03/2008

Source : AFP

Trouble flared at the Emirates Stadium yesterday after a section of Aston Villa supporters sang sick songs mocking the horrific injury sustained by striker Eduardo last week.

There was fighting between rival fans and just before half-time in Arsenal's 1-1 draw, a man sustained head injuries after falling down steps. The man, believed to be an Aston Villa supporter, was taken to a north London hospital and last night his condition was described as "serious but stable".

Two people were arrested over the incident and a dozen arrests were made in all following further trouble sparked by the chanting during and after the game.

Croatian striker Eduardo, 25, is facing at least nine months on the sidelines after suffering a compound fracture of his left leg, following a tackle from Birmingham defender Martin Taylor at St Andrew's.

Eduardo was saluted by Arsenal fans in the club's first game since the incident and there were banners supporting the player prominently displayed around the stadium.

But a minority of the travelling support was not so sympathetic, making offensive chants about the player with references to amputee Heather Mills.

The chants prompted a furious response from a handful of home fans next to the visitors' enclosure and stewards were forced to make several ejections.

Managers Martin O'Neill and Arsene Wenger were united in their condemnation of the abuse, with Wenger, the Arsenal manager, observing that "unfortunately there are no limits to either intelligence or stupidity". O'Neill said he had not actually heard the chants but said news of them was "disappointing".

Eduardo was discharged from hospital last Wednesday after surgery on a fractured fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle.

De Graafschap - Willem II Tilburg - 01/03/2008

Source: dutch press

The referee of the game, Roelof Luinge, stopped the game for about 10 minutes after local fans threw WC-rolls onto the pitch.

The local trainer calmed down these supporters.

01.03.08 | 4.Division Germany | Riots in Worms after return from Kaiserslautern

Source: http://www.wormser-zeitung.de/region/objekt.php3?artikel_id=3185924

During the match FC Kaiserslautern (Team B) against Wormatia Worms there was a small fight between the supporters of both teams. Police come and bring the supporters of worms after the match to their bus. They go with them to worms and take some supporters in jail.

Football hooligans clash in Gothenburg - 01/03/2008

Source : http://www.thelocal.se/10212/

Fighting broke out between rival fans of football clubs Gais and IFK Norrköping outside of Gothenburg on Saturday afternoon. Police detained four people for drug-testing.

According to police there were between 20 and 30 football hooligans involved in the fighting which started at 2pm in central Landvetter.

"Four of the Gothenburg lads were brought in for testing as we suspected that they were under the influence of drugs," said Thomas Fuxborg at Västra Götaland police.

No one was reported to have been hurt in the brawl although a parked car was left with a smashed window, police report.

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Source: youtube.com

Norrköpings Yngre Grabbar fought with locals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkFRiPYVW-U

Linkoping - Djurgardens IF - Ice hockey - 02/03/2008

Source: youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pTqankrZ1M

Gloria Buzau - Politehnica Iasi - 03/03/2008

Source : romanian press

In last moments of the game, one local fan enter on the pitch with a gun in the hand.
This men show the gun to Andrei Cristea, Politehnica player.

Police force made an intervention and take the men out of the pitch.



A gun-wielding Romanian fan threatens a player

A 30-year old soccer fan from Buzau, Romania, entered Politechnica Iasi dressing room after the game against the local Gloria team had ended in a 1-1 draw.
"A guy in a leather jacket came in brandishing a gun and threatened our player Cristea," said the visitors' coach Ionut Popa.
It was even worse outside, on the pitch.
"I had never witnessed anything like it. All players joined in fighting, even the reserves. Our masseur was attacked and I had stones, lighters and bottles thrown at me. I think I might quit soccer," added Popa.
The armed fan, a Gloria fan, was identified thanks to the video cameras and was swiftly fined and banned for life from approaching the stadium in Buzau, said the local police spokesman Ciprian Ene.
Next week Gloria will be in for some more controversy because they play away at leaders Cluj. Steaua chairman Gigi Becali has promised each Gloria player 5000 euros if they can snatch a point or three off Cluj, who are eight points ahead of the Bucharest team.

Otelul Galati - Rapid Bucharest - 03/03/2008

Source : press

After the match, one local fan run on the pitch and try to reach at the referee.
Police came and calm down the situation.

Steaua Bucharest - CFR Cluj - 03/03/2008

Source : Mail

Some problems in sector of CFR fans. It seems Steaua fans (no ultras, no hool) throw some objects in them.

Security made an intervention.

It seems, the new law against violence in Romania strike hard in Bucharest again. Ultras of Steaua was not allowed to put their banners on the fance but they find a way to make this.

Sporting Portugal - SSL Benfica - 02/03/2008

Source: mail (SCP) + portuguese press

Near the beginning of the game, police with benfica lads and ultras arrived near Alvalade XXI; lads and ultrs from Sporting are divided in two sets. One set waited the arriving of Benfica lads and ultras near Visconde and the other group waited near visitors end.
When Benfica arrived in Alvalade XXI , lads and ultras near Visconde attacked the escort. Some arrests and a few injured. In the other side, near visitors end, lads attacked the police with about 100 100 lads and a few ultras. We tried to ambush Benfica crews all day but no signal of life. During this ambush we weren't at full power as our top lads were in other locations .

Hamburger SV - Eintracht Frankfurt - 02/03/2008

Source: HSV website

Five fans from "U" banned - 03/03/2008

Source : ProSport

Team from "Ion Moina" have five banned fans in Romanian stadiums.
The last one, a young man, 19, was banned for 3 years. The same banning order have sent for the leader of "U" fans, Mircea Cenan.

Other 3 was banned for 12 months and 18 months.

4.Division Germany : Riots in Worms after return from Kaiserslautern - 01/03/08

Source: http://www.wormser-zeitung.de/region/objekt.php3?artikel_id=3185924

During the match FC Kaiserslautern (Team B) against Wormatia Worms there was a small fight between the supporters of both teams. Police come and bring the supporters of worms after the match to their bus. They go with them to worms and take some supporters in jail.

Bolton Wanderers - Three football fans in court - 04/03/2008

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

Three Bolton Wanderers supporters have appeared in court after being arrested at the Ewood Park match against Blackburn Rovers on February 24.

Mark Jolly, 28, of Sharook Drive, Bolton, pleaded guilty to going onto the area adjacent to the pitch. He was fined £200 with £75 costs.

Christian Entwistle, 24, of Conniston Avenue, Farnworth, was remanded on bail charged with being drunk in a designated sports ground.

Kane James Jackson, 18, of Brookland Grove, Bolton, was remanded on bail charged with using threatening behaviour.

Palmeiras - Corinthians - 02/03/2008

Source: www.chinaview.cn

Football fan kills brother following fight over derby result

Erik Silva de Oliveira, 24, murdered his brother Roberto, 34, in a fight motivated by the 1-0 victory of football club Palmeiras over Corinthians, the local press informed on Monday.

The fight took place in the Cangaiba district, Sao Paulo city's east zone, on Sunday evening. De Oliveira watched the game near their family's house and, when he arrived home following the game, his elder brother, who was reported to be drunk, started to spank him. According to their mother, Luzia Silva de Oliveira, 68, Roberto pretended to be a Palmeiras fan and began to bully Erik, a Corinthians fan like the other family members.

The mother witnessed the fight and called the police. She said that Roberto punched his younger brother in the chest and bit him in the arm, while Erik tried to defend himself. With a hoe, he hit Roberto four times, leaving deep lacerations in his head and shoulder.

"When I returned, Roberto was already bleeding," said Mrs. De Oliveira.

She highlighted that her elder son, who died on the way to the hospital, used to beat his two brothers and even their 69-year-old father. On previous occasions, she added, Roberto broke a bottle on Erik's head and fractured their other brother's arm.

"When Roberto drank (alcohol), he would get violent and beat anyone," Luzia told the local press, stressing that Erick, who was arrested at home, "is a good boy" and that "he had been beaten too many times".

Roberto was divorced and had five children.

Ajesaia (Malagasy) - Costa do sol (Mozambique) - CAF Champions League - 02/03/2008

Source: Reuters

Malagasy football riot leaves fan in coma

A Malagasy football fan was fighting for his life on Sunday after a cancelled match between teams from Madagascar and Mozambique led to rioting, hospital and match officials said.

"(The fan) is badly injured and still in a coma," said Bruno Andriamiarana, the director of the capital's Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona hospital.

The match between Madagascar's Ajesaia and Mozambique's Costa Do Sol was cancelled because of a disagreement over a match official.

"At the last moment, the Confederation of African Football did not accept the Malagasy touch judge," said Jeremia Randriambololona, Ajesaia's trainer.

When the cancellation was announced, angry fans began ripping up the stadium's seats and other fittings, said a local sports journalist at the scene, Dina Razafimahatratra.

Two policemen were also injured and a total 13 people arrested, police sources said.

The match would have been the second leg of an African Champions' League match. Ajesaia lost the first leg 2-0.

"We're unhappy because the organisers could have told us beforehand that there wouldn't be a match," said spectator Serge Rakotoson.

"Everybody had bought a ticket for at least 3,000 ariary," he said.

Madagascar, located in the Indian Ocean and the world's fourth largest island, has a population of 20 million people, of whom 85 percent were living on less than $2 per day in 2005, according to official data.





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Source : local press (thx to the sender)



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Source: http://news.theage.com.au

A gun-wielding Romanian fan threatens a player

A 30-year old soccer fan from Buzau, Romania, entered Politechnica Iasi dressing room after the game against the local Gloria team had ended in a 1-1 draw.
"A guy in a leather jacket came in brandishing a gun and threatened our player Cristea," said the visitors' coach Ionut Popa.
It was even worse outside, on the pitch.
"I had never witnessed anything like it. All players joined in fighting, even the reserves. Our masseur was attacked and I had stones, lighters and bottles thrown at me. I think I might quit soccer," added Popa.
The armed fan, a Gloria fan, was identified thanks to the video cameras and was swiftly fined and banned for life from approaching the stadium in Buzau, said the local police spokesman Ciprian Ene.
Next week Gloria will be in for some more controversy because they play away at leaders Cluj. Steaua chairman Gigi Becali has promised each Gloria player 5000 euros if they can snatch a point or three off Cluj, who are eight points ahead of the Bucharest team.

Swindon Town - Leeds United - 01/03/2008

Source : Vitalfootball

Leeds Fans Upset At Swindon Police

Leeds United fans have voiced their displeasure over being treated 'like animals' by the police at Swindon Town.

Over 3,000 Leeds fans travelled to Swindon on Saturday to watch their club win 1-0 at the County Ground however many thought the police presence was excessive and they felt as if they were treated by hooligans.

There were over 100 police drafted in from Wiltshire and Devon for Saturday clash.

Leeds fans commented that they have no problem with Swindon fans however with the excessive police presence and the fact the Leeds fans were kept inside the ground after the game, many said that tempers could have flared however we saw no evidence of this.

The game passed without incident and this was the main thing for the police as well as fans of both clubs.

Bulgarian hooligans banned - 03/03/2008

Source : Guardian

Two Beroe Stara Zagora fans were handed two-year stadium bans for hooliganism following their team's 2-2 home draw with Slavia Sofia.

Milan - Arsenal - 04/03/2008

Source : agi.it

Four London fans was arrested by police force yesterday after they made some problems in Stelline Hotel.
Fans are aged between 23 and 47 years old.

Coventry police pledge after football hooligan riot - 05/03/2008

Source : ic Coventry

EXTRA police officers will be on the streets of Earlsdon ahead of matches at the Ricoh Arena in the aftermath of a street brawl between rival football thugs.

Violent clashes involving Coventry and Leicester fans flared in Earlsdon Avenue South, around the car park of the City Arms pub on February 23.

A total of 12 people have since been arrested following the brawl, which left traders and residents taking cover in nearby shops.

The eight men from Leicester and four from Coventry remain on police bail.

Scores of police officers descended on the usually quiet street within minutes to contain the disorder.

Sergeant David Bailey, of the Earlsdon neighbourhood policing team, is keen to reassure residents that high-visibility patrols will be increased on match days to try to prevent a repeat of the disturbance.

He said: "Earlsdon is not traditionally a drinking area for football fans prior to games.

"This would suggest that this violence was preplanned and not just a random incident.

"The events of Saturday, February 23, were particularly shocking for everyone who witnessed them.

"I can assure the residents of Earlsdon and the wider community that everything is being done to identify offenders and bring them to justice."

He added: "I would also like to assure them that, while the majority of football fans are law abiding, we will continue to deal robustly with the minority intent on violence."

The additional policing has been welcomed by those who witnessed the violence.

Steve Gollop, owner of Plan B in Earlsdon Street, said: "Any police presence is a good thing.

"My own feeling is that it was a one-off, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

"I think the next time that Coventry play Leicester at the Ricoh there will need to be police patrols in other areas like Daventry Road, Cheylesmore and Ball Hill because it may move elsewhere - that is my biggest worry."

Fiorentina - Everton - 06/03/2008

Source : Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON fans arriving in Florence with expectations of a party atmosphere were left bitterly disappointed last night as bar owners turned them away and all hopes of getting a last- minute ticket were dashed.

About 6,000 fans are thought to be travelling to the city for Everton's clash with Fiorentina, significantly more than the allocation of 2,400 tickets for the UEFA Cup game.

Many supporters who landed yesterday claimed they had been met with a less than warm welcome. James Gillon, from Fazakerley, said rumours of an alcohol ban today have left people in a state of confusion.

He said: "When we arrived, we were shown a newspaper and the front page headline said ‘Hooligans coming from England’. The article said there would be no alcohol served.

"We then went to the ground to try to buy a ticket but were told that none would be sold to English fans. We just want a few drinks and to have a good time. For us, this is a holiday.

"I am not a hooligan, I am a grandfather and I love to follow my team. This is the first time I have been away since I had a stroke last year."

"Closed" signs were pinned to some bars in the centre, includ-ing JJ Cathedral, an Irish bar, which many Everton fans had arranged to meet at.

A staff member at another Irish pub, The Stove, near to Florence's famous Cathedral, said: "We are going to see how it goes tonight. It's a precaution because we don't want any trouble and we are just following advice from the police."

Everton fans are not prolific in Europe, though UEFA is investigating pitch invasions following the game in Norway against SK Brann in February and could penalise the club.

Everton supporter Mike Harris from Hunts Cross said if there were to be any hooligan-ism in Florence, it would not be the fault of Merseysiders.

The 42-year-old plumber said: "Everton fans simply don't cause trouble. Earlier, I was approach-ed by a local who asked me if I was an Everton supporter. He said Fiorentina fans would like to ’meet with us’ after the game and he didn't mean for a drink.

"We are perfectly capable of enjoying the football and soaking up the atmosphere and going home without any bother."

Elsewhere, Everton fans claimed they were thrown off a plane in Valencia after Spanish police said they were too drunk.

Ryan James, 22, from Halewood, who flew from Liverpool to Valencia, to catch a connecting flight to Pisa, accused the police of targeting everyone with a British passport and using excessive force.

Despite the trepidation of what today will bring, supporters were still relishing the opportunity for both success in Europe and to see some sites.

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Everton fans fear Italian booze ban

Source : Liverpool Echo

EVERTON fans in Florence for the Uefa Cup clash were today facing a city centre alcohol ban.

Italian police unveiled the scheme to curb drink-fuelled trouble before the match tonight at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Bars in the city centre were banned from selling alcohol from 10am-6pm, while nightspots nearer the stadium faced a ban from 4pm until 6am tomorrow.

Italian police said the decision was made to prevent outbreaks of football violence that have hit the city over the past 12 months.

Two squares were being set up specifically for Everton fans, where it was thought bars may be allowed to serve some alcohol.

A large screen was erected for supporters without tickets to watch the match in Ghiberti square.

One Italian newspaper, the Corriere Fiorentino, yesterday printed the contentious headline, “Fiorentina/Everton - 200 hooligans expected in the city.”

The article claimed police had received intelligence that 44 Blues fans banned from attending matches abroad were travelling to Florence.

It estimated that up to 1,000 could arrive in the city without tickets, which has alarmed the Italian police.

Geoff Quick, 49, from Tranmere, said hardline measures were unnecessary.

He said: “I’ve travelled everywhere with Everton and there’s never been any problems.

“The fans wouldn’t be causing any trouble, just having a good time.

“I’m flying to Bologna where I’ll get a coach to Florence, but I might as well stay in Bologna for a while by the look of it.”

The Old Stove Pub, in Via Pellicceria, was one of the many bars hit by the ban.

A spokeswoman told the ECHO: “There’s was trouble a while ago when the place was left in a mess.

“It’s a disappointment for everybody, the fans will have nowhere to go and we will lose a lot of business.”

Football fan hurt in stadium plunge - 06/03/2008

Source : Islington Gazette

A FOOTBALL fan is in a serious condition in hospital after he suffered head injuries at Emirates Stadium during Saturday's match.

The 45-year-old Aston Villa supporter was involved in a scuffle with Arsenal supporters in the Upper Tier - an area reserved entirely for home fans - at the end of the first half.

He was rushed to hospital after falling down some stairs, and remains in a serious but stable condition.

A police spokeswoman said: "At approximately 3.45pm on Saturday a man sustained head injuries at the Emirates Stadium. It appears that the man fell down approximately ten steps. The fall is believed to have occurred during a scuffle between supporters. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

"Two men aged 42 and 23 have been arrested in connection with the incident. They have now been bailed to return on a date in April pending further inquiries."

The match was marred by a series of chants from the Aston Villa fans about the horrific broken leg sustained by Arsenal striker Eduardo Da Silva in the Gunners' previous match at Birmingham.

Ben Dimech, from Arsenal supporters group REDaction, said: "I don't know any details of the incident but there was a lot of anger among Arsenal fans on Saturday because Eduardo's injury is something that's still quite sensitive.

"The Villa fans were fine until about half-an-hour in when they began singing one or two songs mocking what happened to Eduardo.

"That got a few thousand Arsenal fans very riled and some actually tried to get into the Villa section.

"Arsenal fans are normally very tolerant of away fans but I think normal rules went out of the window on Saturday." An Arsenal spokeswoman said: "The Club is actively assisting the Metropolitan Police with their investigations following an incident during the Aston Villa match last Saturday where two people were arrested.

Brazil clubs fined for fan violence that included man losing hand - 05/03/2008

Source : The Canadian Press

Two Brazilian clubs were fined and suspended from playing at home because of fan violence that caused a man to lose his hand in a homemade bomb explosion.

Avai was fined 7,900 euros (C$12,000) and suspended from playing at home for four matches, and Criciuma was fined 4,000 euros (C$6,000) and suspended for two home matches by the Santa Catarina state sports tribunal.

A 62-year-old man had his right hand amputated by doctors because of injuries sustained while watching the match between the clubs on Feb. 24.

The Criciuma fan was sitting in the grandstand when the bomb was thrown by Avai supporters from a nearby section. He picked up the bomb in an attempt to toss it away but it exploded in his hand.

Criciuma was the home team, but the tribunal said the bomb was thrown by Avai fans.

The tribunal said both clubs, which planned to appeal, were responsible for providing security to the fans.

Police arrested two suspects for throwing the bomb.

On Tuesday, Bahia state prosecutors accused the state's sports superintendent and an engineer of involuntary manslaughter because of last year's stadium collapse that killed seven people in northeastern Brazil.

Brazil's sports tribunal has already fined Bahia 30,000 euros (C$45,500) and suspended it from playing at home for seven matches because of the Nov. 25 accident that left more than 40 people injured after a seating section at Fonte Nova stadium collapsed.

Prosecutors said the sports superintendent and the engineer were responsible for the facility.

Cardiff: Hooligan ex-Bluebirds star to face magistrates - 05/03/2008

Source : football.onlysportsfeeds.com

A FORMER Cardiff City player banned from watching away football games for six years was among 30 fans arrested on his first game back.