Season 08/09 - February

Policeman suspected of rioting at Uefa Cup Final - 23/02/2009

Source : Telegraph.co.uk

The off-duty officer from Essex allegedly took part in street battles following the Rangers Zenit St Petersburg game in Manchester.

A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in a violent football riot after the UEFA Cup Final last May.

The officer, who serves with Essex Police, was off duty when fans clashed in street battles after Rangers lost to Zenit St Petersburg. He was identified as a suspect from 49 CCTV images published on Greater Manchester Police website.

The officer was caught on camera as violence erupted, with fans involved in hours of running battles with police. Two policemen were badly beaten after being attacked by hooligans. One fan was stabbed while many more suffered minor injuries.

An appeal went out for information on any of the suspects, many of them caught on CCTV cameras in central Manchester. Officers in Manchester then got a tip-off one of the suspected hooligans was a fellow policeman.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and has been released on bail pending further inquiries until June 2.

"The arrested man is a serving Essex police officer and was off-duty at the time of the incident."

Officers have vowed to hunt-down anyone responsible and told them to come forward - or expect a "very early morning" visit by police.

Trouble began before kick-off for the game between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester on May 14, 2008. An estimated 150,000 Rangers fans descended on Manchester for the final, which Rangers lost 2-0.

Ex-football hooligans tackle gang culture - 16/02/2009

Source : Stoke & Staffordshire

FORMER football hooligans are masterminding a major project to warn teenagers about the dangers of gangs and crime.

The team behind Project Freekick includes ex-members of the notorious Naughty 40 (N40), the crew of Stoke City fans whose violent exploits dominated the 1980s.

Now they have teamed up with both Stoke City and Port Vale to work with young people in North Staffordshire, including 16 to 20-year-olds who are unemployed and have dropped out of education.

The teenagers will follow a programme of activities, featuring talks from ex-criminals, discussions and positive pursuits such as football coaching and DJing.

Some sessions could also be adapted for use in schools.

Former gang members Mark Chester, Phil Allcock and Garry Porter are leading the project and have already won support from the Government.

Through their company, Affirm Initiative CIC, they hope to get other football clubs on board and take their ideas nationwide.

The reformed hooligans gave their first presentation on Saturday, when they spoke to young offenders at an attendance centre in Hanley, run by the Ministry of Justice.

Mark said: "There are five of us working on this project. Between us, we've got 160 years of experience in gang culture.

"The project is all about tackling anti-social behaviour, gang culture and things like knife crime."

The 45-year-old, who grew up in Alsager and now lives in Lancashire, remembers the draw of being in a gang.

He said: "We thought we were respecting the name of Stoke City Football Club. We were defending the ground from other gangs."

The N40's operations grew beyond match fights to include international drug smuggling. Mark himself was convicted of violent offences eight times.

He said: "The low point came when I got off the carousel and had to go into the world on my own, with no friends outside the culture and no qualifications."

Mark and Phil came up with the idea for Project Freekick following a spate of gang-related deaths around Britain.

Phil, aged 48, from Meir, said: "We were as concerned as anybody about it. I believe the way to tackle gang culture is through giving kids the facts.

"A lot of kids think it gives you some sort of status. There's also peer pressure. We want to demystify things.

"The presentations will include DVDs and discuss issues around gang culture like drugs and alcohol.

"I wasn't in the N40, but was involved in the whole culture. All I lived for was to get to the match, be with my mates, have a day out. Anything else was a bonus.

"It was almost a free-for-all at every ground in those days. It was mob rule."

Phil's brush with gang life led him to the verge of a nervous breakdown. He knows others whose lives spiralled into failed marriages, addiction and even suicide. Garry, aged 40, from Kidsgrove, said: "My life was very much football-driven. I stole and defrauded to go to the match."

He served prison time and regrets the pain it caused others.

Garry said Project Freekick is about "giving something back to the kids" so they don't follow the same path.

Carmen Davies, who runs the attendance centre in Hanley, works with young offenders as part of their sentences. She said: "The presentation had a powerful effect on them."

Liga de Quito - Palmeiras - Copa Libertadores - 17/02/2009

Source : Press

Sigma Olomouc - Sparta Prague - 21/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

30 Sparta hooligans arrived to Olomouc one day before, destroyed 2 pubs a battled with the police. 4 lads were arrested.

About 500 fans in visitors sector were presented on the first match in the spring part of football season. Some races were burned ond thrown on the ground. The match was stoped for several times and some players has to come to calm the supporters. 15 minutes long fight were done with the security and some Olomouc lads behind the paling of visistor´s sector. The equipment of toilets was destroyed and used in the fight. Security used a fire-extinguisher with the powder.
Nothing to report after the match.

Video:
http://olomoucky.denik.cz/fotbal_region/sigma_sparta_fans_zapas20090222.html#mm

Fortuna Sittard - FC Den Bosch - 20/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

After the match there was a real good toe-to-toe with 18 locals vs 25 Den Bosch lads.

After two minutes and a lot of belts, on local heads, advantage for Den Bosch when ob rushed in.. then locals attacked them for the second time and only 5 of them stood their ground and had to run at the end.

Arsenal FC - AS Roma - 25/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

REPORT WELCOME

Roma attacked Arsenal, Arsenal held their own, then knives were used and someone was slash in the leg.



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Source : Islington Gazette

Arsenal and Roma fans clash in Holloway Road

THREE people were arrested after Roma fans attacked Arsenal supporters outside a pub following the Gunners' Champions League game against the Italian side on Tuesday.

At around 10pm, 20 minutes after the end of the game which Arsenal won 1-0, a large gang of Roma supporters ran along Holloway Road and charged rival fans outside the Herbert Chapman pub, in Holloway Road, Holloway.

The Italian thugs then rampaged through the pub, attacking more fans and causing damage inside, but no serious injuries were reported.

The incident happened less than two weeks after Cardiff City fans smashed up another Holloway Road pub, The Lord Nelson, and 40 cars on the day of an FA Cup tie at The Emirates.

Chief Inspector Richard Woolford, Arsenal match commander, said: "The Arsenal-Roma game was very quiet throughout the whole day. There were no incidents before the match and none during it.

"About 20 minutes after the final whistle a group of Roma fans went to the Herbert Chapman pub on Holloway Road intent on seeking disorder.

"Arsenal fans came under attack from the Italian fans inside and outside the pub and as a result three people were arrested. There were no serious injuries reported to police.

FC Twente Enschede - Marseille - 26/02/2008

Thanks to all the senders

Source: La Provence

Twente-OM : severe troubles in the city

Severe riots erupted at 3pm, opposing Marseille supporters to locals, in the main Enschede square.
200 Marseille fans made the trip and were fronted by a mob of 500 locals.

Police forces made an intervention very quickly but many damages were caused. Some Marseille fans were injured by police dogs.











In Paris they have hooligans
In Marseille just Gays

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Source : SBS

Twente, Marseille fans clash

Nine people are being questioned after fighting broke out between supporters of Dutch side FC Twente and Marseille of France in the run-up to their UEFA Cup round-of-32, second-leg clash.

"We are questioning nine people. There are four Dutch, four French and one German supporter, following scuffles in the town centre," said a police spokesman.

During the trouble, one French fan was bitten by a police dog and needed hospital treatment.

Supporters of the two teams also clashed at the first leg in France on February 19 when five people were arrested. One Dutch fan was jailed for six months for attacking police.



VIDEOS:

https://www.dailymotion.com/kigzz/video/14280498

https://www.dailymotion.com/kigzz/video/14281630

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpnX-AScos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHwtXRsn0aQ

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh7ybtjAeAQ

Scotland : Rail football yobs face clampdown - 26/02/2009

Source : Hamilton Advertiser news

MOTHERWELL FC fans who get into trouble on the trains or subway can now have their details passed to the club.

Supporters involved in antisocial behaviour or disorder anywhere on the rail network run the risk of having their season tickets confiscated and a football banning order imposed.

Senior officials from the Scottish area of British Transport Police and Motherwell FC have signed up to a formal information sharing protocol.

The protocol allows a free flow of information, with both organisations pledging to share mutually beneficial data about individuals who are arrested or detained by BTP officers travelling to or from any match involving the club.

Chief Inspector Alex McGuire of British Transport Police said: “The majority of supporters who attend Motherwell matches are extremely well behaved and contribute to the good name of the club. But there is a small minority who can tarnish that reputation.

“In signing this protocol we now have a mechanism of informing the club of any offenders who come to the attention of British Transport Police, if it is appropriate. This will allow Motherwell Football Club to take whatever action they deem appropriate to avoid any recurrence.”

This is the second official protocol signed by British Transport Police – the first being with Rangers Football Club.

Police hope to sign a protocol with every senior club in Scotland and the Scottish Football Association. British Transport Police polices stations and trains throughout Scotland and the Glasgow Subway network.

St Etienne - Olympiakos Pireus - 26/02/2009

Source : Press



Only a few troubles occured before the game and also after the 1st goal of a local player, when firecrackers were sent from greek side to local side.


Photo : Furiania photos

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Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

Argentina Tries To Curb Football Violence - 27/02/2009

Source : ScoresPro

Football violence seems to be getting out of hand in Argentina and that South American country is planning implementing a technically advanced argentinaidentity card program to replace paper tickets and turnstiles.

The plan was authorized by the Argentine Football Association and it will use high tech gadgetry such as biometric scanners and electronic, magnetic cards which will show the fan’s names, addresses, photographs and their fingerprints, which will be held in a database. While the high tech system is a move in the right direction, it’s feared it may not be able to solve the years-old problem of football hooliganism.

It’s expected that about four million Argentine fans will apply for the cards which have been developed with the help of the National Technology University. The program has been dubbed Unique Database for the Identification of Supporters. The individual clubs are responsible for processing all of the applications.

The cards will eventually replace the ticket current system as fans will need to process their card and pay for admission at an accredited bank. Security guards will check the cards when fans arrive at the match and their fingerprints will be scanned to make they match the prints of the card’s owner. The magnetic card will then be swiped to see if the fan has paid to get into the stadium.

First division club Lanus will be the guinea pig in this system and well test it out this May. If everything goes as planned, then all first division will implement the procedure early next year.

While some people are opposed to the scheme, AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis said it was necessary to try something new to stamp out football violence at the countries stadiums. Over the past few years, several games have been suspended because of rioting and there have been several deaths.

Most violence blamed on organized gangs known as barras bravas, who are often supplied with free tickets and cheap travel to away games.

UK Police Set To Examine Bulgarian Court Evidence against Shields - 28/02/2009

Source : Sofia News Agency

The UK football hooligan, Michael Shields, who was arrested in Bulgaria in 2005 for attempted murder, is to have the facts surrounding his conviction studied by a UK police force, the BBC reported late Friday.

Shields, 22, is serving a 10-year term for the attempted murder of Bulgarian barman Martin Georgiev , but maintains his innocence.

High Court judges ruled in December 2008 that Justice Secretary Jack Straw has the power to issue a pardon.

A decision based on Merseyside Police's findings is unlikely to be delivered before May, Straw said on Friday.

Shields was transferred to the UK from Bulgaria in 2006 after his 15-year sentence was reduced on appeal, and is serving his sentence at Thorn Cross Prison in Warrington near Liverpool.

In a statement Straw made it clear there was still a lengthy process to go through before he could make a final decision.

"I am determined to make the best and fairest decision that I can, but can only do so after properly assessing all of the material that is available, in accordance with the judgment of the court," said Straw.
Police will speak to UK-based witnesses and study new evidence which came to light after Shields was jailed.

Barman Martin Georgiev was seriously injured after having a paving slab dropped on his head near the Black Sea city of Varna in May 2005.

Czech Republic : 1. FC Brno - FC Baník Ostrava - 22/02/2009

Source : tn.nova.cz

Northern Ireland : Boxing Day Match Banned After Crowd Trouble - 17/02/2009

Source : 4ni.co.uk

There is uproar today as the biggest match in the local soccer calendar has been effectively banned.

The annual derby between Linfield and Glentoran on Boxing Day was marred by crowd trouble at Windsor Park last December with the Irish Football Association's disciplinary committee now hitting both clubs with a £1,000 fine and banning any such games on a public holiday for two years.

The move has caused outrage from both clubs, both of whom will be appealed.

Glentoran is even threatening to withdraw from the IFA altogether; such is the depth of feeling aroused.

The move comes after riot police had to be called to quell rioting by Glentoran fans in the North Stand in the Festive showpiece.

However, the match which was due to be staged at The Oval in east Belfast this December and is one of the biggest revenue earners – bringing in a huge crowd and generating £40,000-plus in gate receipts.

Linfield Chairman Jim Kerr said: "This is an outrageous decision by a committee made up of junior representatives.

"It was 30 or 40 Glentoran supporters who caused the trouble and I don't see how we can be hit with a fine. The decision to ban the game from being played on a public holiday - and I think they mean any public holiday - is unbelievable.

"This decision penalises the 10,000 fans who behave themselves. Only 30 or 40 caused the mayhem.

"For this eight-man committee, made up of people who have no knowledge of running a senior club or finances, the decision is draconian," Mr Kerr told the News Letter.

Glentoran Chairman Aubrey Ralph was equally distressed over the ruling. "I'm very disappointed that our views were brushed aside.

"This ruling is totally disproportionate and I would question whether they (the committee) had the power to take this decision."

Threatening withdrawal from the IFA on a BBC Radio Ulster interview this morning he said: "This has serious implications for Irish League football."

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Source : Belfast Telegraph (25/02/2009)

Linfield and Glentoran appeal over violent fans

Big Two rivals Glentoran and Linfield have joined together to challenge the Irish FA Disciplinary Committee’s decision to ban them from facing each other on Boxing Day until 2011.

And if they don’t get any joy from the Appeals Committee, then the Belfast clubs will consider having the sanction — which also bars them from playing on any public or Bank holiday until the beginning of the 2011-12 season — overturned in court.

The clubs had until yesterday to lodge their appeals against the decision to shelve the annual post-Christmas derby for the next two seasons, which was imposed last Monday night in the wake of crowd trouble which caused a seven-minute stoppage during this season’s game at Windsor Park on December 26.

As expected both the Glens and Blues submitted their written appeals and under IFA rules the governing body will now have two weeks to set up an independent panel to hear the appeal.

It is understood that the severity of the unprecedented punishment is the main bone of contention with Linfield arguing that being hit with a £1,000 fine — the same as Glentoran — is disproportionate as they believe that the majority of the blame for the incident lies at the door of the east-Belfast outfit.

“The ban on Linfield and Glentoran playing each other on Boxing Day means a loss of revenue of in the region of £40,000, so effectively the IFA are fining the two clubs £40,000 each when you consider that both will lose a home game over the next two seasons,” said a Linfield source.

“Our view is that the punishment is very much in excess of the crime.

“The appeal has been lodged, we will challenge the decision as strongly as we can and Glentoran will do likewise.”

Linfield will travel to Glentoran in a rearranged Irish FA Premiership match next Wednesday night — the first meeting of the teams since the Boxing Day game — and a joint statement from the clubs asking fans to be on their best behaviour is expected this week.

The Glens and Blues then have to meet twice more in league games between now and mid-April, with the potential for a Big Two Irish Cup semi-final or final still very much alive with both teams drawn at home in the quarter-finals of the competition and the behaviour of fans at those forthcoming games will be closely scrutinised.

Meanwhile Cliftonville director Gerard Lawlor is also seeking an appeal after being hit with a ten-match suspension by the Disciplinary Committee.

They deemed that he breached a previous ban when he entered the playing area during the Reds’ game at Linfield in January, but Lawlor argues that he was directed that way by security staff after manager Eddie Patterson was dismissed from the touchline.

Ruch Chorzów - Górnik Zabrze - 28/02/2009

Source : Gorny.Slask.prv.pl








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Source : Niebiescy.pl












Video : http://www.niebiescy.pl/video.php?id=ruch_gornik_02

Bolton, Wigan and Man City fans' brawl in Darwen pub - 18/02/2009

Source : Blackburn Citizen

A MASS brawl broke out in a Darwen pub after a man threw an empty pint glass towards a group of football fans, a court heard.

‘Bloodshed and a great deal of damage’ was caused as supporters used pool cues, stools and glasses in the Railway Hotel.

The man who threw the glass, Simon Rosser, was traced because his DNA was found on a cigarette that had been knocked out of his mouth.

Around £1,000 worth of damage was caused after trouble flared in the crowded pub that afternoon.

Rosser, 27, of Ripon Avenue, Springfield, Wigan, who had been watching TV coverage of Wigan Athletic's match with Blackburn Rovers last March, had pleaded guilty to a charge of affray.

He was given a sentence of six months prison, suspended for a year, with twelve months supervision and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work.

Charles Brown, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said shortly after 5pm that day some Manchester City fans started to congregate in the pub.

They seemed friendly and polite, Mr Brown said.

A short time later, two other young men entered and one of them apparently making a phone call requesting others to attend, the court heard..

Twenty others then went into the pub and began singing songs, indicating they were Bolton Wanderers fans. They were being vocal and aggressive.

Mr Brown said: "The whole atmosphere in the pub changed and became very tense.

"There were in the pub a number of other regular customers, including young women and at least one three year old child.

"In this atmosphere, the defendant, who was described as having a roll up cigarette in his mouth and a pint glass in his hand, threw the glass towards the group of Bolton supporters.

"Not surprisingly, they retaliated. He was assaulted, the cigarette was thrown from his mouth and a large scale disturbance then took place.

"Fighting between supporters involved the use of pool cues, stools and glasses.

"A scene of some devastation was left after the incident. Traces of blood were found.”

In police interview he explained he had thrown the empty glass in an instinctive reaction as he was frightened for his own safety at the time.

Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, told the court: "He wasn't a member of either group, the Manchester City or the Bolton Wanderers fans who had apparently organised some violence.

"It is clear that once the Bolton fans entered the pub, the atmosphere changed.”

In passing sentence, the judge, Mrs Justice Swift, told Rosser: "The effect of your action, although I accept not your intention at the time, was to act as a catalyst for a large scale disturbance.

"It resulted in a great deal of damage and indeed bloodshed in the pub. ”

Spain : Alavès - Real Sociedad - 28/02/2009

Source: forum

Spain : Xerez - Rayo Vallecano - 28/02/2009

Source: forum

Inter Milan - Manchester United - 24/02/2009

Source: http://www.goal.com

Manchester United Fans In Hospital After Being Attacked At San Siro – Report

United's result with the Nerazzurri was made worse after a handful of Red Devils fans were assaulted...

Three Manchester United fans are in hospital after they were violently attacked following the 0-0 draw with Inter at San Siro in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport claims the three United fans suffered minor injuries and they were treated by the emergency services. They were taken to a nearby hospital to have further treatment.

The extent of the fans’ injuries remains unknown and the police have not arrested anyone in connection with the incident, although they have launched an investigation into what happened.

The trouble took place in the area surrounding the famous stadium. Earlier in the night, prior to kick-off, a large number of United fans went on the rampage in Milan's city centre and reports suggested that they had tried to cause trouble with locals.

Although there were minor incidents pre- and post-match, the game was not affected as the teams fought out a 0-0 draw.

The Red Devils will be hoping to do better at Old Trafford after missing a great chance to do the damage in Milan.

FC Rad - YFC Belgrade - 28/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

YFCB Blue Union banner, fallen earlier, shown by United Force

Reading - Bristol City - 21/02/2009

Source : Reading Evening Post

Still smiling despite Bristol City bus attack

A bus inspector allegedly injured by Bristol City football hooligans last week manages a smile despite having a nasty gashed leg.

Ray Court was kicked in the shins by boozed-up fans as he tried to stop them cramming on to a bus at Reading train station before Reading’s 2-0 home defeat.

He told the Evening Post: “The away fans injured me then they smashed the windows on the bus as it was travelling along the IDR to the Madejski Stadium.

“As the windows where being smashed it sounded like a bomb going off and glass shattered everywhere.”

VV Venlo - SV Dordrecht - 27/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

A few months ago Sittard played VV Venlo and after the match the brave VVV ones smashed some carwindows..
When Sittard got out of the cars back then they vanished..

So, 12 Sittard lads went to their city and waited in a pub .. after the match Sittard lads were looking for them but couldn't find them.. They were smashing carwindows of normal FC Dordrecht fans !!

Then Sittard called them and told them that they were waiting for them.. they showed up with a good 25 lads..
When Sittard saw them they immediately attacked them and after 20 seconds toe-to-toe Sittard scattered them..

France (2nd Div.) : Reims - FC Metz - 27/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

VIDEO:

https://www.dailymotion.com/user/Titimwa/video/x8ivfz_reimsmetz-2009_travel

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Source : Press

A fight erupted between both sides (30 vs 20). One metz lad was arrested.

Roda JC Kerkrade - De Graafschap - 28/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

Saturdaynight 40 mostly Graafschap youth made the trip to Kerkrade.

Roda told de Graafschap were to go and wait in a pub. They would come there.
When de Graafschap arrived no Roda around.

So De Graafschap went looking for Roda in their own city and found them .

An off took place between 55 Roda and 40 de Graafschap. Only the first line of Roda stood ground for half minute , the rest was already gone. At the end Roda had to run and tried to regroup a second time but Graafschap slaughtered them a second time.

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Source: forum

1min fight between 40 De Graafschap and 50 locals.
Locals finally ran away.

(c) Translation Underground Fans

Banik Ostrava - SFC Opava - 14/02/2009

Source : tn.nova.cz

Fight between 40-45 locals and 40 visitors near the stadium. Hooligans used chairs and bottles.
A few fans have been arrested by the police.



(c) Traduction Underground Fans

Celtic Glasgow - Glasgow Rangers - 15/02/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

(view from CSC)

On this derby day, and following the latest events against St Mirren (St Mirren + Gers vs CSC, one Celtic lad lost an eye), some 80 CSC are gathered in our usual pub.
Followed by the bobbies form 12:00 to 19:00, we decided to go and meet the Gers after the cops decided to close our pub.
After having crossed the city center at 80 guys, we finally end up face-to-face with the Gers. But as the cops were with us since 12:00, they were there too. Result... nothing.
Only satisfaction for this day: our good mob.