Season 08/09 - November

HSV v Ajax : 700 Dutch hooligans due to arrive in Hamburg - 26/11/2008

Source : The Hamburg Express

Hamburg police are preparing for possible rioting by football hooligans due to arrive here tomorrow. 700 hooligans are expected to visit Hamburg in the UEFA Cup game in which local HSV will play against Ajax Amsterdam.

The estimated 700 rioters are among 4,000 footbal fans that will come to Hamburg from the Netherlands. Security experts say they will be met by 200 potentially violent HSV supporters.

HSH Nordbank Arena manager Kurz Krägel has asked for riot police support. Ajax Amsterdam supporters are notorious for violent outbreaks during European football matches.

Because of the security risk, Netherland police will travel to Hamburg to support local security forces.

HOOLIGAN TRIAL: Jail terms for Earlsdon Street rioting hooligans - 27/11/2008

Source : CV5 Communities

ONE of four football hooligans jailed for their part in a pitched battle with rival fans claims he was in the area looking for a cot when violence erupted.

Sean O'Sullivan, aged 26, of no fixed abode, had claimed he'd been caught up in the clash between Coventry and Leicester fans while out shopping for his newborn child on Saturday February 23.

Prosecutor Dan White told Warwick Crown Court yesterday how the riot happened outside the City Arms pub, in Earlsdon Street, shortly before noon.

A number of young families and pensioners had to run for cover when two groups of about 80 men started hurling road signs, bricks, pool balls, and other missiles.

O'Sullivan, who pleaded guilty to affray, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for his part in the ordeal.

He was also banned from going to games for 10 years, and ordered not to enter the city centre or to go within one mile of the Ricoh Arena three hours either side of a first-team match.

The three other defendants also pleaded guilty to affray.

Luke Murphy, aged 19, of Longford Road, was sentenced to eight months in a young offenders' institute, Asher Gordon, aged 26, of Lorenzo Close, was jailed for nine months, while Daniel Healy, aged 21, of Ridgely Road, was imprisoned for eight months.

In addition the three were banned from attending football matches for eight years.

All four defence barristers pointed out that none of the accused were guilty of, carrying a weapon, throwing an object, or causing physical harm.

Sentencing all four Judge Christopher Hodson said: "This was a serious example of public disorder.

"True football fans want nothing to do with you. All you do is tarnish the name of the sport.

"You each played different parts, but you are all to be punished for the disturbance as a whole.

"Innocent, law-abiding members of the public were terrorised by your actions, and you must be punished for that."

Yesterday's hearing was the last involving Coventry fans - 12 of whom have now been before the courts.


Receiving sentences for their part in the violence before Coventry City v Leicester City match were (left to right): Luke Murphy, Daniel Healey, Asher Gordon and Sean O'Sullivan

North End fan tells of racist shout shame - 27/11/2008

Source : Lancashire Evening Post

A football fan has told of his shame after being slapped with a fine for shouting racist abuse at a Preston North End match.
Stephen Kitchen, 24, admitted shouting racial insults and expletives during the match against Norwich City earlier this month.

He was arrested after a police officer heard him shout at a Norwich player at the November 8 game at Carrow Road.

Today, as calls were made for harsher punishments for fans who are racially abusive, Kitchen, of Silverdale Drive, Brookfield, Preston, said he was "ashamed" of his behaviour.

The season ticket holder, who has supported Preston North End since he was six and follows the team home and away, said: "I'm embarrassed about it. There was no actual trigger for it."

Kitchen appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Monday where he was told his language was "unacceptable". But the district judge stopped short of imposing a banning order which would have prevented him from attending football matches for three years.

Instead, he received a £150 fine and told to pay court costs of £60.
But football representatives said the law should be tougher on people who are racist or violent at football matches.

A Football League spokesman said: "We would support a banning order for anyone who is guilty of racial or violent behaviour. If anyone has been racist or violent they should have to face a ban. If they partake in this sort of behaviour they should expect a punishment and that is not to attend matches.

"We do not tolerate racism in football and are working hard to stamp it out."

Dennis King, prosecuting, said a police officer said Kitchen had used "foul" and "racist" language.

Ian Fisher, defending, said his client was sorry for his actions.
District judge Philip Browning said: "Your behaviour was unacceptable and the language you used was disgusting but I am not going to impose a ban."

Ben Rhodes, general manager at Preston North End, said Kitchen's future attendance at games at Deepdale was still to be resolved and added: "The man was in receipt of a letter from our ground safety officer and banned from attending fixtures at Deepdale until after the court case was dealt with. We will deal with the matter now the case has been resolved."

Moscow’s Hooligans Will Visit Zagreb - 24/11/2008

Source : Javno.hr

The police are in for a hard job, the media have entered a sensation fight - Spartak’s fans are a foundation for that with their behaviour.

Dinamo is awaiting the match of the decade, and this is even known by “birds in the trees” after Mamic’s shouting. But the police might not know that the job of the month is awaiting them, because eccentric fans from Moscow are coming, because of which there might be a conflict with the Bad Blue Boys (Dinamo’s fans), especially because the media have already started to emphasize such a scenario.

Most extreme fans of Spartak do not hide their radicalism

Fratria is the name of Spartak’s fans, which means “brotherhood”, and that in the real sense, because they are very dangerous when they are together, and do not forgive anyone, just like they nurture friendship with Greek and Serbian fan groups, especially Delije, which they consider to be equal to themselves, especially because of their radical stances. The Russians do not hide their nationalism or their tendency to the extreme right, and the club has been punished many times for disorder and racism.

Their “speciality” is that they do not use any weapons during their fights, which are arranged. The most extreme fans of Spartak go to matches mainly to fight, and can without problems be called hooligans. They are not like Croatian fans that fight less often, and the main aim is to cheer for the club which they hold sacred.

This is why the police must be prepared upfront, because the media have started early in warning that there could be a repeat of the situation that occurred with Sparta, when the focus came to pictures of support against Karadzic and Mladic, because of which ordinary fans suffered.

Media seeks sensations and are “pumping up” the atmosphere

The Bad Blue Boys threw quite a show, without pyrotechnic devices this time. The result were ovations by the Spurs` fans.

It is hard to believe that there will be as few Spartak’s fans as there were Czechs, so that conflicts are not ruled out, however, prevention is the most important, and not stress violence. This is the job of the local police, because they cannot expect the understanding of the local fans when they see a bunch of guest fans provoking them with signs or slogans such as three fingers in the air, or shouting “Serbia, Serbia” and showing Chetnik symbols.

The police is in for a hard job because the media have entered a battle with sensations, aware that the Bad Blue Boys do not want to be second ranked when the strength and danger of a fan group is concerned. If there are conflicts, then the work of the police should be “attacked”, because they should have known upfront, what would happen.

Liverpool FC - O.Marseille - 26/11/2008

Source : Football.co.uk

UEFA probe Gerrard missile

UEFA has confirmed it will probe the missile-throwing incident which saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard struck by an object thrown by a Marseille fan during Wednesday's 1-0 win at Anfield.

Gerrard was clearly struck by an object thrown from visiting French fans while preparing to take a first-half corner in the Champions League Group D encounter.

The England midfielder's 23rd minute header settled a close game in the home side's favour.

The incident has been included in Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca's report and also that of the UEFA delegate present at the match.

"We will have to view the reports of the referee and the delegate before we can make a decision," confirmed a UEFA spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Reds boss Rafael Benitez hailed the professionalism of his skipper after he ignored the missile.

"He is a good professional. Steven did well not to react," said the Spanish coach.

FC Bruges - St Etienne - 27/11/2008

Source: mails (thanks to the senders)

Last night game between Bruges and St-etienne saw a thousand St-etienne
being escorted by the police. On the way to the ground they attacked a pub
where about 15 ! bruges hooligans had a beer. Nevertheless they stood ground
as long as they could.
What a bunch of cowards to attack "en masse" such a small number of thugs.
Shame on you french guys !

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

It seems a french mob attacked a pub where a small number of locals were.
Seeing that, 200 meters far away from the scene, the Bruges mob (80 strong) charged Frenchies and a severe fight took place where several visitors were injured.
Two policemen were also injured and supporters from both sides arrested.


ST Etienne mob

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

Source : Ninemsn

Bruges and Saint Etienne fans clash

Belgian police used water cannon to break up running brawls between fans of Bruges and French side Saint Etienne before kick-off in the UEFA Cup tie between the two sides here on Thursday.

A police spokesman told AFP that "numerous fights had broken out outside the stadium".

"These scuffles were so serious that there were some injuries suffered by supporters. Two policemen were also hurt and were taken to hospital."

Another police source said around two dozen fans had been arrested.

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

VIDEOS: (thanks to the sender)

https://www.dailymotion.com/search/brugge/video/x7jr4h_supporters-gistelse-steenweg_sport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3bQODWMj3c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3--qxdiw_WY

Hamburger SV - Ajax Amsterdam - 27/11/2008

Source : abendblatt.de + Dpa + Bild

Dutch Fans Clash with Police

VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_722k8Ij3e8







Around 450 Fans of Ajax Amsterdam blocked the Reeperbahn, Hamburg's famous red-light district ahead of their team's 1-0 victory at SV Hamburg.

The Dutch soccer fans broke windows in a hotel and held up traffic in the northern Germany city on Thursday, Nov. 27. They also caused damage to a local bar before attacking police. Some 40 people were taken into custody as a result.

Police more than doubled the number of officers normally on duty for a Hamburg game, sending 800 to the scene.

The hooligans had cause to celebrate soon after, when Ajax's substitute Leonardo picked up a weak backpass from Hamburg captain David Jarolim, breaking a scoreless tie 13 minutes from time.




Video : http://video.abendblatt.de/watch/10184








http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=-utICODhFJs&feature=related

on their to the sportpub tankstelle which was full of hsv lads.

inside the stadium:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrH3IN0crg
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=INzAIqTxzPU

matchday at the reeperbahn:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=t7sLF_cx1VE&feature=related

Fiorentina - Lyon - 26/11/2008

Source : Reuters

Roma charged over Champions League crowd problems - 28/11/2008

Source : Reuters

Serie A club AS Roma have been charged over the setting off of fireworks and fans' obstruction of exits during their 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League earlier this month, UEFA said on its website (www.uefa.com).
One Italian was arrested and four people were injured in minor incidents before the game.
Last season UEFA officials said Rome's Stadio Olimpico could lose next May's Champions League final if there were repetitions of the trouble that has marred several Roma matches in Europe in recent years.
UEFA have ordered that barriers between fans and the pitch must to be removed at Rome's Stadio Olimpico before it hosts the Champions League final in May, a senior UEFA official said.
"It is one of the fundamental requirements for stadiums that host our finals," UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti told Rai radio. "The facilities should not have barriers in the public areas. Basically, there shouldn't be cages for the fans."

Deportivo - Feyenoord - 27/11/2008

Source : DutchNews.nl

A group of between 10 and 15 Feyenoord supporters caused trouble at half-time by ripping up seats and throwing them over crowd control fences. ‘It was too stupid for words,’ said Feyenoord director Eric Gudde. ‘What on earth possesses people to throw chairs.’

FC Mezdra - CSKA Sofia - 28/11/2008

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

A brawl erupted minutes before FC Mezdra - CSKA Sofia match in front of one of the gates.

Argentina : Belgrano de Cordoba - Tiro Federal - 28/11/2008

Source : Goal

Three Fans Shot During Confrontations

The violence in Argentine football just doesn't seem to end. On Thursday three Belgrano fans were shot during confrontations between different factions of the club's barra brava...

Three fans of Belgrano de Cordoba were shot on Thursday night, during violent confrontations between different factions of the club's barra brava, after the 2-0 defeat by Tiro Federal in a Second Division match.

According to police reports, Ismael Cordoba (30), one of the victims, is in a severe state, and is fighting for his life. He was shot twice.

Fernando Liendo (21), is in a stable condition at hospital, while Damian Gomez (28 ) was given permission to return home after being shot in the leg.

Chief of security, Jeronimo Gonzalez, stated that the incidents took place "during the second half of the match, and a faction of the Belgrano barra brava left the stadium. After this, confrontations between fans of the same club continued."

In recent months violence has returned to Argentine football. Not only is the violence common during games, but also outside of stadiums, where several fans have been killed.

Knife-carrying City fan warned of match ban and jail sentence - 29/11/2008

Source : Express & Echo

AN Exeter City fan found carrying a knife and a bag of drugs at an away match has been warned he could be sent to prison and banned from matches.
Shaven-headed Matthew Corbett, of Rosebarn Lane, Pennsylvania, Exeter, admitted carrying a lock knife and a wrap of cocaine to a League Two game against Aldershot Town when he appeared at Hampshire Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
The 22-year-old was among a group of fans who were refused entry to the stands at the Recreation Ground on November 15 for "being too drunk", a district judge was told.
Police shadowed the group of fans away from the ground, where Exeter were beaten 1-0, to a pub in the town centre.
After a stand-off with some Aldershot supporters, the group went into the pub, the court heard.
Corbett then came out of the pub and was seen by police to give directions to someone on his mobile.
Fearing he could be co-ordinating a fight between fans, police arrested him to prevent a breach of the peace, prosecutor Ebony Mitchell-Whyte told the court.
As he was searched, officers found a lock knife with a one-and-a-half inch long blade and a small plastic bag of cocaine.
Corbett admitted to police that the blade was his, but said he had not intentionally taken it to the match and said he had not meant to use it.
He claimed he had put it into his trouser pocket some days before the game and had simply forgotten that it was there.
He also admitted to police that the bag of white powder he had been carrying was cocaine, which he had bought from a friend for £40.
Corbett had a previous conviction from November 2006, for possession of an offensive weapon, Miss Mitchell-Whyte said.
The prosecutor added that the police would be asking for the court to impose a football banning order, which typically prohibits those convicted of football-related crime from attending any matches for between two and 10 years.
Anyone who goes to a game while on a banning order can be jailed for six months or fined £5,000.
District Judge Philip Gillibrand said that given the public outcry against knife crime, carrying a lock knife at a football match "most certainly constitutes dangerous circumstances."
Judge Gillibrand told Corbett that he would be sentenced to at least a long stint of community work, but warned he could easily be facing jail.
Ordering a probation service report, the judge added that he was keeping open the option of sending Corbett to Crown Court, where he could get an even longer prison term.
"I am very concerned that this was at a football match," the district judge said.
Kate Taylor, defending, said her client was only on the phone to give directions to a friend who he was trying to meet in the pub.
"I would say that this is not as serious as it first appears," Miss Taylor said.
Corbett was bailed until December 30, when he is due back in court in Aldershot to be sentenced.
As part of the conditions of his bail, he was ordered to surrender his passport to Exeter central police station and banned from going to any registered football game in Britain.

Four hooligans face jail for attack on pub - 29/11/2008

Source : Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Four Leeds United fans who wrecked a Northampton pub in an explosion of football-related violence will be sentenced in the new year.

Liam Cook, 23, from Rotherham, Dean Pressley, 43, from Sheffield, Christopher Marsden, 21, of Leeds, and Robert Slater, 23, from Huddersfield, were part of a gang of Leeds supporters who caused £8,000 of damage to the Shoemakers' Tavern in Spring Boroughs on Saturday, February 9.

The hooligans appeared at Northampton Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

They now face being permanently banned from every football ground in the country.

The four travelled to Northampton from Yorkshire without tickets for the match against The Cobblers in February, which ended as a 1-1 draw.

All four defendants were part of a violent contingent which set about the pub, throwing bricks, road signs and manhole covers, while the game was being played at Sixfields.

A group of 30 Cobblers fans were inside the Shoemakers' Tavern at the time.

Judge Peter Morrell adjourned sentencing for four weeks to allow for probation reports to be prepared but he warned them they are all at risk of being sent to prison.

He said: "You are not allowed to attend any designated football matches so you will have to find something else to do on Boxing Day."

The Chronicle & Echo reported in February how the landlord described his pub being besieged by rioting Leeds football hooligans.

The landlord, who asked not to be named, said as many as 50 Leeds fans descended on the pub intent on causing trouble.

He said: "They were hurling rocks to start with, then road signs and manhole covers.

"They smashed every single window."

During Northampton Town's match against Leeds, several cases of violent disorder were reported to police and a total of 18 men, all Leeds United supporters, were arrested.

The Cobblers played Leeds in the FA Cup last week and lost 5-2 but beat them 2-1 in League One on Tuesday.

NEC Nijmegen - Tottenham - 27/11/2008

Source : Telegraph.co.uk

Tottenham fans complain of heavy-handed Dutch police

A number of disgruntled Tottenham fans returning from Nijmegen have accused Dutch police of heavy-handedness, and reported that eight travelling supporters had been arrested after a confrontation outside a pub in the town centre during the match.

One Spurs fan returning home with a wound to the top of his head, said to have been caused by a police baton, described to The Daily Telegraph how plain-clothed police had provoked a number of Tottenham fans. “There had been a fight on Wednesday, but [on Thursday night] there was no action so they came round and started it,” he said. “As soon as they got a reaction from us, they whipped out their batons.

“Admittedly, we did respond. It was like a red rag to a bull. For the most part the regular police were fine. It was the ones without uniforms that were the problem.

“I got thrown onto the floor of a police van; it was like I had murdered somebody. I was telling them I couldn’t breathe. They said: ‘you’re talking, so you’re breathing.’”

He added: “I came out all this way and didn’t even get to see the goal. Instead I got a night in a police cell. I don’t know what my wife is going to say.”

These claims are understood to have been refuted by Dutch police, however, who have denied that there was any event out of the ordinary either before or during the game, or that any Spurs fan was arrested.

Posh match hooligan warned he faces jail term - 29/11/2008

Source : Peterborough Today

A FOOTBALL hooligan has been warned he faces jail for his involvement in crowd trouble during Peterborough United's promotion celebrations last season.
Yob Trevor Johnson was caught on camera making threatening gestures towards match stewards during Posh's final game of their League Two campaign against Darlington in May.

The 31-year-old was one of seven men who appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court yesterday in connection with ugly scenes which flared in the stadium's North Stand.

Three of his co-accused were banned from attending Posh matches for the next three years after admitting public order offences.

Daniel Irvine (26), of Campaign Avenue, Woodston, Kevin Goodacre (26), of Huntly Road, Woodston, and Mark Oxenham, of Glendale, Orton Wistow, were also fined at least £100 each.

Johnson, of Lilac Road, Dogsthorpe, was told he could be jailed when he returned to court for sentencing next month because of his record of convictions for hooliganism.

He pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour and the court heard he had previously been banned from London Road but breached the order in 2006 by attending a match.

District Judge Ken Sheraton told him: "I have got to consider whether these matters are so serious that you have to go to prison."

The court was told trouble started during the first half of Posh's match against Darlington on Saturday, May 3, an occasion which had been billed as a celebration of their promotion to League One.

A group of supporters were filmed by police causing trouble in the stand after Johnson's brother, Barry, had been ejected from the stadium and arrested.

Anthea Harris, prosecuting, said: "There was aggressive and abusive chanting towards the Darlington supporters, and drinks and missiles were thrown randomly at police.

"There was pushing and shoving and members of the public, including families, were clearly alarmed."

She added: "Trevor Johnson was seen acting aggressively towards stewards, gesturing and using foul and abusive language. He had been upset at the removal of his brother."

Johnson's three co-accused also admitted similar behaviour with Irvine "stamping aggressively on seats" and both Goodacre and Oxenham making abusive gestures at away supporters and players.

In mitigation, all four men said they regretted their behaviour.

Their appearances in court follow the conviction earlier this month of hooligans Craig Stockhill (28 ), of St Mary's Court, Peterborough, Darren Hempson (37), of Middle Pasture, Werrington, and Mark Harper (19), of Almond Road, Dogsthorpe, for public order offences at the same match.

Three others, Martin Fradley (37), of Church Lane, Crowland, Thomas Holland (19), of Caithness Road, Stamford, and Scott Underwood (20), of Masterton Road, Stamford, all pleaded not guilty to similar offences yesterday and are due to stand trial in March.

Minior Pernik - Levski Sofia - 23/11/2008

Source : Mail (thanks to the sender)











TV : http://www.sportal.bg/sportal_tv.php?category=107&video_page=1&video_id=9971

Video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_FkoEyzG00&feature=related

Swansea City - Cardiff City - 30/11/2008

Source : WalesOnline

Six arrests after South Wales derby

SIX people were arrested today after a stand-off between fans and police at the South Wales football derby.

Police, however, applauded the way the majority of fans conducted themselves as the clash between Swansea City and Cardiff City avoided the scenes of violence that accompanied the same fixture in September.

Throughout the day were a total of six arrests, five Swansea fans for public order offences and one Cardiff fan for criminal damage.

Bottles and stones were thrown from a crowd of around 50 outside the ground, leading to a minor stand-off between fans and police.

Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias, who was the match commander, said: “ The manner in which a vast majority of the of both the Swansea and Cardiff fans conducted themselves was exemplary. There was a different atmosphere altogether from the last game.

“However, there was one area of disorder after the game which resulted in my officers coming under attack from around 50 individuals. Two officers were injured but not seriously.”



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

Source : South Wales Evening Post

Trouble flares after derby clash

TROUBLE-MAKERS were contained by a huge police presence at the Liberty Stadium today.

Two groups of Swansea City fans lingered for nearly an hour after the thrilling 2-2 draw.

But police officers kept them well away from the departing Cardiff City fans, who were escorted on buses onto the M4.

Officers were, however, pelted with bottles and stones by a persistent group of home fans along Siloh Road, across the road from the Liberty Stadium.

More than 500 officers were involved in today’s operation, which was planned as soon as the Swans gained promotion in April to the Championship.




EMPICS

Werder Bremen - Eintracht Frankfurt - 29/11/2008

Source : radiobremen.de + fnp.de

More than 200 Fankfurt hooligans were arrested for this game.
During the journey 130 of them were arrested due to the fact they tried to fronted their rivals from Bremen.

Inside the stadium, hooligans fought with stewards and policemen, who used batons to restore order.




TV :
http://www.zoomin.tv/videoplayer/?fuseaction=videolaunch&pid=rponline&id=302384&nbg=ftv

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

FRANKFURT MOB

Germany: Rot Weiss Oberhausen - MSV Duisburg - 30/11/2008

Source : presseportal.de

50 Duisburg hooligans caused troubles, provoking local supporters.
Bricks were threw and damages were caused at vehicles.
Police forces have arrested 12 hooligans, aged from 15 to 34.

Ireland: FAI bans 30 in clampdown on hooligans - 30/11/2008

Source: Tribune.ie

THIRTY League of Ireland supporters have been banned from football grounds across the country as part of stiff new security regulations being introduced ahead of next season.

The Football Association of Ireland has also confirmed that garda 'spotters' will be attached to each club and will travel with fans to away matches in a bid to identify and remove undesirable elements.

Information on those fans will also be held in a central database at garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park where FAI security officials will liaise with gardaí.

As part of the broad set of security measures being introduced to the Irish domestic soccer league, FAI security officials will seek advice and support from their counterparts in the English Premier League.

FAI chief security officer, Joe McGlue, told the Sunday Tribune: "The message that we are trying to get across is to the genuine supporters; to the people who are bringing their kids to the game that there is a safe environment there and that the minority who are causing the problems are being watched, identified and, hopefully, wiped out."

The FAI were reluctant to identify the individual clubs from which the 30 fans have been suspended but it is understood that one club alone has had nine of its supporters banned, making up nearly one third of all actions.

Progress on new security arrangements with gardaí remains at an early stage but the FAI believes the new measures will be enforceable by the start of the new season next March.

A security officers' forum met before, during and at the end of last season to discuss the key issues facing clubs.

They have also mimicked measures taken by the English FA whose clubs were overrun with hooligan elements in the past.

"Obviously, it's not on the same scale, but we would hope to have the security there for 2009," said McGlue.

Violence at League of Ireland games has become common over the last five years. Gardaí say that it takes the same level of officers to police a game against Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians as it does an All-Ireland final.

"It would be a category A match for us, requiring the public order unit, the dog unit, the mounted unit and around 100 gardaí," Inspector Tony Gallagher of Fitzgibbon Street garda station said last year.

"These groups are fuelled on aggression and intent on attacking each other. They have to be watched."

Supporters of the rival teams consume drugs and alcohol in large quantities before meeting up at pre-arranged points before the game to fight.

The FAI is quick to point out that the fans banned from grounds are just a fraction of the estimated 100,000 people who paid in to see their teams play last season.

"It's a small minority but it's there and it niggles at us that there is misbehavior. If it's a serious offence the club can ban them for one or two seasons; if it's a minor offence the club can take them in and interview them about their behaviour and give them a yellow card."

Germany : FSV Zwickau - Erzgebirge Aue II - 30/11/2008

Source : fsv-fan.de

Middlesbrough - Newcastle United - 29/11/2008

Source : Daily News

English FA investigating Mido abuse

The English football association is looking into a new racist abuse against Middlesbrough hitman Ahmed Hossam 'Mido', who was taunted in Sunday's goalless draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The Egyptian international came on as a substitute on 77 minutes. He allegedly suffered from racial slurs by the opposition's spectators before stepping onto the pitch.

"We'll have to look at it. We'll speak to the clubs. This will most likely involve working with Newcastle to try to prevent it happening again," an FA spokesman said in the Daily Telegraph.

Last year, the 25-year-old was insulted during the same fixture by some of the Magpies' discriminative supporters, but no firm actions were taken.

Apparently, the FA's ongoing investigation in the unfortunate incident is more serious this time around.

"The police may also be involved in helping identify any offenders because this is potentially a criminal offence. We want to make it clear you can't get away with chants like this," he added.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate hopes to see Newcastle's racist fans get what they deserve.

All the same, he believes the club shouldn't be punished for their spectators' improper conduct.

"We have to rise above it. If people want to shout those things it's a reflection on them. There's a danger we go on a witch hunt. What do you do? Punish the club?" the former Aston Villa Player said.

"They can't do anything about their traveling fans. It's individual decisions to sing what they want. I don't think that's fair. How can a club in the size of Newcastle control individuals?

"It's a sensitive one and I understand the importance, but I don't want to put the pressure on an excellent club like Newcastle."

Furthermore, Newcastle stressed that they do not allow such chants from their fans.

"The club does not condone any sort of offensive chanting," a spokesman for Newcastle stated.

Peru : Sport Huamanga - Sport Huancayo - 30/11/2008

Source : Jevno.hr

Police Car Alight, Referee Trapped In Peru Riot

Media reports said around 100 people were injured in Sunday`s game between Sport Huamanga and Sport Huancayo.

A police car was set alight and the referee trapped in his dressing room for nearly three hours during a riot at a Peruvian second division match.

Media reports said around 100 people were injured in Sunday's game between Sport Huamanga and Sport Huancayo in the Andean city of Ayacucho.

Television showed dozens of fans breaking down fencing, invading the pitch and overturning a vehicle which appeared to be an ambulance.

Pictures also showed a police car in flames while referee Alejandro Villanueva told the El Comercio newspaper he was trapped in the stadium for nearly three hours.

Huamanga won the Copa Peru tie 4-1 but were beaten on away goals.

The trouble started when Huancayo were awarded a free kick as the hosts pressed for a decisive fifth goal.

The referee was surrounded by furious Huamanga players and needed protection from riot police, delaying play for nine minutes.

Play resumed but fans started throwing stones on to the field, forcing the game to be abandoned.

TEAR GAS

Fans then broke down the fencing and an estimated 200 people invaded the pitch while the police, heavily outnumbered according to the reports, used tear gas to try and control the situation.

Television showed police protecting the visiting team and a member of the Huancayo coaching staff lying injured on the turf.

The Copa Peru involves mainly semi-professional teams and rewards the winners with a place in the top flight the following year.

Peruvian soccer is in a chaotic state and riots and fighting are common at matches.

Last week Peru were suspended from international competition by ruling body FIFA because of a row between the national soccer federation and the government.

St Mirren - Celtic Glasgow - 22/11/2008

Source: Daily Express

Celtic fans attacked

COPS were called out to a pub packed full of football supporters after hooligans turned up looking for a fight.

Three men were arrested after the brawl outside the Stow Brae on Canal Street, Paisley in the hours following St Mirren’s clash with SPL champions Celtic at Love Street on Saturday.

About 15 neds rounded on Celtic fans after their bus broke down outside the watering hole.

One man was taken to hospital suffering from a deep gash above the eye while a few other Hoops supporters took a beating, leaving them with cuts and bruises.

Ross Mitchell was in charge at the well known pub at the time and said he did not recognise any of the thugs as football fans.

“We used to get a lot of Buddies in here before and after games. Some of the guys even ran a bus from here until January so I know a lot of the supporters,” he explained.

“I certainly didn’t recognise any of those responsible and they were not wearing colours – they were clearly just hooligans.”

Trouble flared around 30 minutes after the Celtic fans’ supporters bus broke down outside the pub.

As the group of about 30 people waited for the vehicle to be repaired they popped into the Stow Brae for a quiet drink but were soon targeted for abuse.

Mr Mitchell added: “The bus broke down outside. As they waited to have it fixed they came in. They were friendly and not rowdy. Someone must have spotted them walk in because half-an-hour later about 15 guys turned up and attacked a couple of Celtic fans outside while they were having a smoke. It kicked off from there.

“We called cops and they were round in a couple of minutes and cleared everything up.”

A police spokesman confirmed there had been “a bit of a brawl” outside the pub.

He added: “There was a football related incident in the hours after the game.

“Around 30 people were involved and three people were arrested, mainly for disorder offences like breach of the peace. There were no serious injuries.”