Season 08/09 - March

1.FC Union Berlin - Dynamo Dresden - 08/03/2009

Source : sueddeutsche.de

16 supporters were arrested by police during this high-risks game.
1000 policemen were on duty for this game and about 300 Dresden fans made the trip inside special football trains.

Translation Underground Fans

Germany: 1. FSV Mainz 05 - FC Augsburg - 08/03/2009

Source : allgemeine-zeitung.de

Police had a lot of job to separate supporters from both sides during this game.
Troubles started during 1st and 2nd half but also at the end of the game where Augsburg supporters tried to reach their rivals through the terraces.
Police restored order as outside the stadium too.
A policeman was injured.

Translation Underground Fans

Spain: Sabadell - Lleida - 08/03/2009

Source: forum

Only 4 members of Celules Ilergetes made the trip to Sabadell.
Locals tried to take the banner.

Borussia Mönchengladbach - Hamburger SV - 08/03/2009

Source : NDR.de + pr-inside.com

HSV supporters provoked troubles after the defeat of their team.
Nine policemen were injured by their own pepper sprays, used against supporters at the train station.
Supporters who thrown bottles.

Translation Underground Fans

Arsenal advise fans on how to stay away from Roma's Ultras - 09/03/2009

Source : Daily Mail

Arsenal have issued advice to their supporters travelling to Rome for Wednesday's Champions League tie, urging them to avoid the notorious trouble spots often frequented by Roma's hardcore "Ultras".

Violent clashes between fans and police marred Manchester United's Champions League tie away to Roma in 2007 and, although United have been back twice since and Chelsea's visit to the city passed without major incident in November, the Gunners have asked fans to take care.

They have circulated an advice sheet, warning supporters not to take the metro to Piazzale Flamino or to use the Ponte Duca d'Aosta bridge to reach the Stadio Olimpico as these are "habitual routes taken by the Ultras to the stadium."

Arsenal fans are also advised to keep away from Campo de Fiori, a meeting point for the Roma fans and one of the worst spots for fighting in the past.

Instead, travelling fans have been encouraged to make use of the free bus service from Villa Borghese which departs at 6.30pm and travels under police escort. "If you travel to the stadium independently please be aware you are at risk," warn Arsenal.

Slavia Praha – Baník Ostrava - 06/03/2009

Source : ČTK

Czech police put off some 150 Banik fans from Prague-bound train

The Czech police put off over disturbances in Ceska Trebova, east Bohemia, some 150 fans of the first football league Banik Ostrava from a train bound for Prague where Banik plays Slavia Praha today over disturbances.

Some 400 fans left Ostrava this morning. They are accompanied by 40 policemen.

About 500 policemen will keep an eye on the fans in Prague and a special riot unit is ready to intervene in case of brawls between the two teams´ fans.

A police helicopter is also monitoring the situation and an anti-conflict team is at hand.

The tightened security measures are to prevent the developments that occurred in the first round of the spring part of the league a fortnight ago.

Banik´s fans then attacked the Brno stadium guards and penetrated into the pitch. The police had to be called to the stadium. The match started with more than half-an-hour delay.

Under a police reform that took effect on January 1, security at stadiums is no longer ensured by the police, but by the match´s organisers, that is Slavia Praha in this particular case.

The organiser may only seek police assistance when the hired security agency starts to fail to manage the situation.

VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc4zOubJOW0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwEZ2bw06Ko

'Police got Bristol Rovers crowd control wrong' - 09/03/2009

Source : Evening Post

Police tactics have been questioned after football fans brought busy Gloucester Road to a standstill at the weekend before Bristol Rovers played Leeds United.

There were also reports that a number of pubs near the Memorial Ground in Horfield were "trashed" following Saturday's match - the Pirates' second 2-2 draw against their Yorkshire rivals this season.

Bev Knott, Lib Dem councillor for Bishopston, believes the police got it wrong by allowing fans to parade up the centre of Gloucester Road on their way to the game, bringing traffic to a halt.

He has now written to Avon and Somerset Assistant Chief Constable John Long, asking him to explain police tactics.

He said: "People going about their everyday business on a Saturday afternoon should not have to rub shoulders with football fans intent on causing trouble.

"There was a heavy police presence, but shoppers with children shouldn't be put in a position where they run the risk of being caught up with fans. I believe the police got it wrong on Saturday.

"Residents who have nothing to do with football should not be made to feel intimidated by groups of football supporters and I, on behalf of residents who live in the area, want to know what the police are going to do to prevent it happening in the future.

"I have also been told that a number of pubs in the area were trashed after the game.

"I have written to Mr Long asking him if he would find it acceptable if he lived in the area."

Trouble broke out before the match in Gloucester Road, close to its junction with Sommerville Road and Berkeley Road, in Bishopston.

The police helicopter hovered above a group of supporters who were surrounded by police dressed in riot gear.

Mr Knott told The Post he witnessed the incident and said none of the supporters were wearing club colours to mark them out as home or away fans.

He said: "Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a riot or anything approaching the trouble we had in Gloucester Road a few years ago.

"But it's very rare that Gloucester Road is brought to a standstill in this way, and quite rightly, I have been asked why the police allowed it to happen."

There were also reports of trouble outside the Queen Vic pub and at The Foresters prior to kick off.

Cath Foster, an Avon and Somerset police spokeswoman, said: "Prior to Saturday's football match, police were in Gloucester Road acting on intelligence to prevent any potential public disorders or breach of the peace. The police helicopter was also in attendance.

"After the match, police responded to reports of football supporters throwing glass bottles in Ashley Down Road.

"Five arrests were made for public order offences, including affray."

She refused to comment on Mr Knott's letter to Mr Long, saying it was a private matter between them.

Although Rovers pays for policing inside the ground during home matches, it does not contribute to the cost of policing fans before and after games.

A Bristol Rovers club spokesman said: "We work in conjunction with the police to organise crowd control in the most efficient way. We do not condone violence or trouble of any kind and will not tolerate it."

FC Copenhagen : Football fans face new trial - 10/03/2009

Source : The Copenhagen Post

The biggest ever football hooliganism trial continues on appeal

Lyngby Boldklub football fans are appearing before the Eastern High Court, this time appealing a previous case of hooliganism.

The 22 suspects were questioned individually by a lawyer for the crown on Monday and subsequently charged with inciting violence for having planned the fight in advance.
The incident took place 29 September in connection with FC Copenhagen and Lyngby Boldklub meeting for a match at the city’s Parken stadium and is the biggest case involving football violence ever tried by a court in Denmark.

Several of the witnesses claimed that the FC Copenhagen supporters started the fracas by throwing bottles and bricks at the Lyngby supporters.

Two video recordings of the brawl were entered as evidence at the trial, one of which was recorded by a Lyngby fan.

The videotapes did not help prosecutors in the first trial in the city court, where a judge determined there was no evidence that the Lyngby fans had planned the brawl.

Testimony continues on Thursday, where police officers involved are scheduled to testify. Police have previously claimed the reason they were able to arrive at the scene so quickly was due to a tip-off about the planned confrontation.

Germany : What to do about the Problem Fans ? - 10/03/2009

Source : Bundesliga Talk

Consequences after the Riots in Hamburg: DFB President Zwanziger is considering Travel Bans on Fans, Rostock is not ruling out Court Actions against the instigators. The Police Union is warning that there may be fatalities soon and is demanding games in empty stadiums.


Hamburg – The physical damage caused in the Riots surrounding the 2nd Division game between FC St. Pauli and Hansa Rostock (3:2) from last Friday has already disappeared, but the psychological damage done to German Soccer will remain for some time. DFB President Theo Zwanziger is considering a general Travel Ban on Problem fans. He said to “Bild am Sonntag”: “If it helps, then we have to do it.” The Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP = Police Union) went even further. GdP Chairman Konrad Freiberg said after the Street fighting in Hamburg about Matches without Spectators: “As extreme as it sounds it has to remain a possibility, with the increase of violent activities surrounding Soccer recently, it is just a matter of time before we see fatalities.”
The DFB is going to discuss the incidents in Hamburg later this week, Hansa Rostock however is not waiting and has already issued the first consequences: Four people have already received a three year Stadium ban for all of Germany, and the Club has reserved the right that if it receives a Fine from the DFB that it will take the guilty individuals to court to recoup damages. According to Rostock’s Board Chairman Dirk Grabow the actions of some of the Fans were “absolutely unacceptable”. As a “Repeat Offender”, the Club could see serious sanctions from the DFB, to include playing in an empty Stadium. St. Pauli is also looking at a minimum of a monetary fine, after approximately 1000 St. Pauli Fans and other individuals participated in the Street Fighting with the Police. Five Officers, two Fans and a bystander were injured.
The incident has started the discussions about how to prevent Fan Violence once again. The Police think that a Travel Ban is a viable option. “It makes sense not to let Violent Fans travel to the matches” said GdP Chairman Freiberg. The Police tried a limited version of this ahead of the match by enacting Stadium Bans on 11 Rostock Group Leaders and 5 St. Pauli Fans. The Koordinationsstelle Fanprojekt (Kos = Coordination office for Fan Project) however stated that a Travel Ban “would not do anything” according to the Frankfurt Kos Leader Michael Gabriel. Gabriel acknowledged that there has been “an increase of violent incidents in Soccer” but added “It is definitely not only an East German Problem.” Another item brought into the discussion has been criticism of the DFL for setting the date of the match. In the future the risk matches should be scheduled on “an unattractive travel day” according to Hamburg’s Police Spokesman Ralf Meyer – for example Sunday or Monday. He added “Friday Evening is to much an attractive day to have a match like this.” The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL = German Soccer League) coordinates the selection of the match days for the 2nd Division with the Zentralen Informationsstelle Sporteinsätze (Zis = Central Information Office for Sporting Events) of the Police in Düsseldorf. “We coordinate all scheduling for matches with the Zis and did it in this case as well” said DFL Managing Director Holger Hieronymus.

Grimsby Town - Lincoln City - 07/03/2009

Source : Grimsby Telegraph

Five arrests at derby match

POLICE say an operation to minimise disruption at Grimsby Town’s crucial derby match with Lincoln City was a success – despite five arrests.

Humberside Police arrested five men for public order offences as fans congregated for the match at Blundell Park, on Saturday.

As reported, the Mariners won the game 5-1.

Club spokesman Dale Ladson said: “There wasn’t any trouble in the ground, so as far as we’re concerned it was nothing to do with us.

“There were no problems at all.”

Three of the arrests were made in Grimsby’s Top Town prior to the game.

There was also a report of damage being caused to the seat of a Stagecoach bus to Cleethorpes – thought to have been caused by people on their way to the match.

Chief Insp Mick Hoare, of Humberside Police, said: “Officers worked throughout the day, alongside Grimsby Town staff, to ensure that disruption at the ground and to the local area was kept to a bare minimum.

“With just five arrested on the day, it shows that the operation was a success and those in attendance where able to enjoy a family atmosphere rather than the day being ruined by a minority of fans looking for trouble.

“We would like to thank both sets of fans, our colleagues at Blundell Park and local residents and businesses.”

3,000 Italian fans expected for Manchester United v Inter Milan game - 10/03/2009

Source : The Bury Times

Police across Manchester are set to welcome thousands of Italian football supporters for the Manchester United v Inter Milan football match at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

Around three thousand fans are expected to travel to the city from Italy to watch the Champions League match at Old Trafford.

Superintendent John Graves is the Match Commander for the fixture.

He said: "Greater Manchester Police is prepared for another great football match.

"Manchester United and Inter Milan are two of Europe's biggest teams and I'm certain this match will be a great opportunity for everyone involved to demonstrate what is so special about both cities and both sets of football supporters.

"GMP is well used to policing high profile matches and this is no exception. The operation for this game is intended to ensure the match is held with minimal disruption and so that people can have a safe and enjoyable time here.

"We have worked closely with both clubs and our policing colleagues in Milan in the run up to this game.

"I hope the match will be an exciting event for everyone who attends, and we are expecting a full house. I'm sure it will be a thrilling game for the fans as the competition is now in the knockout stage.

"I hope the visiting fans enjoy Manchester. The eyes of Europe will be on Old Trafford once again and our objective is to ensure that the event is memorable for all the right reasons."

Large numbers are expected in the city centre and around Old Trafford. People without tickets are advised to stay at home and enjoy the match with their family and friends.

The police presence in the city centre and around the stadium will be increased to provide public reassurance and minimise disorder. Fans are also advised to arrive early.

Cyprus : Two youths hospitalised after another weekend of hooliganism - 10/03/2009

Source : Cyprus Mail

A YOUNG boy was savagely beaten by a crowd of hooligans during a violent clash between basketball fans at the weekend.

The 12-year-old boy and his 15-year-old brother, both APOEL fans, were yesterday being treated in a private clinic, the former with bruises all over his body and the latter with head injuries.

Despite police stepping up measures to prevent any incidents between the fans of eternal foes AEL Limassol and APOEL Nicosia, Limassol turned into a war zone on Sunday night. Following the match, stones were hurled back and forth resulting in the injury of three youths, four policemen and damages to surrounding cars.

Before the game, around 300 APOEL fans had travelled to Spyros Kyprianou Sporting Centre in Limassol and accompanied by police, they entered the stadium from the central entrance. AEL fans were already there.

At the end of the game, APOEL fans departed first and started driving off, while AEL fans were asked to remain in their seats until their adversaries had left.

The police had also decided that to avoid violent phenomena, APOEL fans should not depart through the centre of Limassol town so they were diverted through the Palodia area. But this didn’t avert conflict.

“then fans of AEL attacked the policemen at the exits, despite being told to remain in the stadium, they went outside and became implicated in violent incidents, resulting in the two teams’ fans throwing stones at each other,” Limassol police spokesman Andreas Angelides said yesterday.

Mayhem ensued; cars with APOEL fans were immobilised and both teams’ fans started hurling stones at each other. The violence only stopped after the Rapid Reaction Unit (MMAD) intervened.

Four policemen were injured, while a police car and motorbike were also damaged. Three boys were injured from the stones while six cars were also damaged.

The two young boys were injured by stones as they were making their way to their mum’s car, who had gone to pick them up.

“I heard on the 11 o’clock news that the boys had been injured,” Michael Michail, the two boys’ father told the CyBC yesterday. “At first, I didn’t even think that they could be my sons, but 10 minutes later I found out that it was my children.

“My 12-year-old son was kicked to the ground by 20 to 25 people from what I have been told. My eldest – I say he is older but he is still a child at 15 – was injured on the head trying to protect him.

“If it wasn’t for these four or five people who intervened to save my 12-year-old son, who was being kicked all over as he was on the ground, I don’t know what would be happening today; what position I would be in today.”

According to Michail, his wife had taken the two boys to Limassol General Hospital, where they were made to wait for over an hour.

“My wife took the children to the hospital with blood pouring out of them and according to my wife, they were waiting for over an hour. She insisted that they see our sons, but they told her that the incident wasn’t serious and they were busy and she should wait. So in the end we took them to a private hospital to find out about our sons’ health.”

The 15-year-old was yesterday still being treated with head injuries, while the 12-year-old was discharged with bruises all over his body.

AEL manager Charis Papadopoulos said, “If any violent incidents took place outside the stadium, of course we condemn them. I am not aware of how it started and to what degree they were. What happens outside the stadium is the responsibility of the police.”

AEL blamed the police for Sunday’s outcome and claimed that the police didn’t live up to the agreements that had been made with the teams’ managements.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident after going to Limassol headquarters to report damages to his car. He was recognised by a policeman as being directly involved.

Meanwhile, three youths were arrested following Anorthosis Famagusta’s clash with APOEL Nicosia on Sunday evening in Larnaca for injuring a policeman.

A 15-year-old along with two men aged 20 and 29 will be tried in Larnaca District court on March 16, after being arrested for attacking the young policemen following the football match.

“After the end of the match and while fans were exiting the [Antonis Papadopoulos] stadium, a 20-year-old attacked an on-duty policeman and pushed him to the ground,” said Larnaca police spokesman Christos Andreou. “The 20-year-old, along with another underage person, attacked the policeman, kicking him in various parts of his body.”

The young officer was taken to Larnaca General Hospital where he was treated and later discharged.

“The two young men were arrested on the spot,” said Andreou. “During their arrest by the Rapid Reaction Unit [MMAD] a third person became involved in the incident – a 29-year-old man who appears to be related to the 20-year-old – attacking a MMAD sergeant. He was also arrested on the spot.”

Bolton Wanderers : Whites issue fans warning - 10/03/2009

Source : This Is Lancashire

BOLTON Wanderers may be forced into a rethink of the popular free travel incentive, because of a small band of unruly followers.

The club issued the latest in a series of warnings after trouble flared at last week’s game at Stoke City when a group of supporters fought among themselves during the half-time interval.

Respectable travel club regulars lodged complaints, prompting Wanderers to raise the matter with Greater Manchester Police.

The free travel scheme that has frequently helped swell the team’s away following since it was first introduced last season, is being offered again for the trip to West Brom a week on Saturday, but the club will review its policy if there is a repeat of the problems encountered at Stoke.

“The minority are causing problems for the majority and if things don’t improve the club may have to have another look at the free travel offers,” said fan liaison officer, Tony Kelly.

“These young fans are abusing the free travel by drinking and causing trouble and it’s only a matter of time before the police catch up with them.

“I can only apologise to the true fans who were disgusted by the behaviour of that small group at Stoke. Many came to me and complained and I can promise them we are determined to weed out the trouble-makers and stop them from travelling.

“They are threatening the club’s good name and we can’t have that.”

Wanderers have previously taken action against fans smuggling alcohol onto official club coaches and threatened to ban anyone from the coaches who uses foul and abusive language. Now they are determined to clamp down on offenders who are making life uncomfortable for the overwhelming majority of respectable supporters.

Kelly, who witnessed some of the Stoke incidents himself, praised the main body of fans who were vocal in their support of Wanderers throughout the 2-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

“I couldn’t thank them enough,” he added. “They never stopped singing, even when we were 2-0 down. But the small group who were fighting among themselves and made life so uncomfortable for the rest have to be rooted out.

“We have liaised with the police and they will be keeping a close eye on things at West Brom. They know who they are dealing with, so the trouble-makers have been warned.”

UK : Suspected hooligans arrested - 11/03/2009

Source : Get Surrey

FOOTBALL-related disorder in Ash Vale has led to the arrest of nine men during dawn raids across Surrey and Hampshire.

A 47-year-old from Farnham was among those arrested on Wednesday in relation to a conspiracy to commit a violent disorder, following an incident at the village’s train station on October 18 last year.

After a match between Aldershot Town and Brentford at the Hampshire club’s EBB Stadium, a group of visiting supporters were under police escort in two carriages of a four car train.

Other members of the public, among them women and children, were also on board, when a large group of men, believed to be followers of Aldershot, allegedly attempted to confront the rival fans.

Detective inspector at British Transport Police, Matt Wratten, said officers prevented a group from boarding the train, and men were removed from the station.

“BTP seized CCTV from the station and set up Operation Aspen to investigate the matter,” he said. “Officers attached to the operation identified a group of men who were the targets of today’s arrests.”

Some 60 officers were involved in the dawn arrests, and the men have been released until April 9 on conditional bail.

Restrictions forbid them to travel on the railway four hours before or after Aldershot Town matches, which they also cannot attend.

“We will be seeking banning orders against any supporter who seeks to involve themself in disorder on the railways,” detective inspector Wratten said.

Others arrested include six from Aldershot, aged 18, 20, 21, 24, 25 and 36, along with one from Farnborough, aged 40, and a 17-year-old from Fleet.

UK : City fan wins court replay - 11/03/2009

Source : Manchester Evening News

A MANCHESTER City fan has overturned a football banning order.

Davy Grime convinced an appeal court judge he had not chanted offensive songs about Manchester United or abused a police officer - although he admitted making a `pig' gesture which was spotted by the officer who arrested him.

He was handed a three-year ban when he appeared in court in December accused of chanting offensive songs and insulting a police officer.

But the order was overturned when he won an appeal at Manchester Crown Court. The 19-year-old telesales worker from Sale admitted he had `stupidly' made a pig gesture to a friend about police as he and a group of City fans walked through Piccadilly railway station in September after the Blues lost 2-1 at Wigan Athletic.

But he denied police allegations he had chanted offensive songs about Manchester United and called an officer `pig'.

The appeal court judge found in Mr Grime's favour. His conviction for a public order offence was quashed and his football banning order revoked.

Following the hearing, Mr Grime said: "I'm absolutely delighted. When I got the ban it left me depressed. I've been going for 10 or 11 years and not being able to go to the games was very distressing.

"I was with a big group of City fans and we were singing, as you do when you are with a big group of football fans. There was never anything aggressive at all. Obviously, I've upset a police office by making a gesture. The police officer said I was acting aggressively and abusing police officers which I just didn't do at all.

"Now I realise it was a very stupid thing to do. It was bravado. In hindsight, I wished I had never done it."

Mr Grime is now hoping City will reinstate his season ticket.

His solicitor, Anthony O'Donnell, said: "He was accused of being aggressive and chanting obscene anti-Manchester United songs. This never happened. When it got to court, the police statements pretty much backed this up."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "It is the duty of the police to gather evidence and present this to the Crown Prosecution Service which then determines whether charges should be brought against an individual."

Juve - Chelsea FC - 10/03/2009

Source : Sify

Chelsea fan assaulted by Juventus supporters

A group of Juventus supporters assaulted a visiting Chelsea fan ahead of the Champions League match the two sides played on Tuesday in Turin, ANSA news agency reported.

The Englishman suffered minor bruises to his forehead and was treated in a hospital.

Groups of opposing fans reportedly tried to clash outside the Stadio Olimpico before the game but were kept separated by police.

AS Roma - Arsenal FC - 11/03/2009

Source : Telegraph.co.uk

Arsenal fan stabbed by Roma fans ahead of Champions League match

An Arsenal fan was stabbed last night after the minibus he was travelling in got lost in Rome and was ambushed by Roma fans ahead of the Champions League match between the two teams.

The fan was stabbed in the leg when Roma fans stormed the minibus in a piazza close to the Stadio Olimpico, about an hour before the game kicked off.

The injury was not serious and he was treated in a medical first aid post at the stadium.

He asked that his name, age and hometown not be released.

Italian police arrested a Roma fan involved in the attack.

A spokesman for the British embassy in Rome said: "He was on board a private bus when they got lost near the stadium. Some Roma fans tried to get onto the bus and in the ensuing fight he got injured in the leg. It's not clear if the weapon was a knife or a shard of glass from one of the windows on the bus which was broken."

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Source : Hampstead and Highgate Express

Arsenal fan stabbed as Ultras attack supporters' bus

An Arsenal fan was stabbed in the leg, and two others suffered head injuries, before Wednesday's match in Rome.

The stab victim was attacked after Roma fans boarded a bus taking Arsenal supporters to the Stadio Olimpico before the 7-6 shoot-out win.

None of the injuries are life-threatening and the stab victim is understood to have later travelled to the stadium to watch the game.

A British Embassy spokesman explained: "This bus got a bit lost around the stadium and some Roma fans tried to get on the bus.

"One managed to get on to the bus and there was a fight. The driver managed to get away when the Roma fan was pushed out.

"We don't know if it was a stabbing or glass from a smashed window."

Arsenal had earlier warned supporters of potential troublespots in the city after Roma followers, nicknamed the Ultras, had attacked Manchester United fans in previous years.

Arsenal confirmed they were aware of the incident.

A spokeswoman added: "A male Arsenal fan was believed to be stabbed outside the stadium.

"Roma fans threw stones at a bus, smashing windows, and an individual allegedly entered the bus and stabbed a fan." dows, and an individual allegedly entered the bus and stabbed a fan."

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Source: BBC (thanks to the sender)

Arsenal fan injured in bus ambush

An Arsenal football fan suffered a suspected stab wound when the minibus he was on was ambushed ahead of the club's Champions League tie in Rome.

The bus was attacked by Roma fans after the driver became lost near the Olympic Stadium, the British Embassy said.

The victim was treated inside the stadium for a cut to his leg.

Prior to the match, English fans had been advised to avoid areas where Roma's hooligan following, the Ultras, are known to congregate.

An Arsenal spokeswoman said: "A male Arsenal fan was believed to be stabbed outside the stadium.

"Roma fans threw stones at a bus, smashing windows, and an individual allegedly entered the bus and stabbed a fan."

Penalty win

A British Embassy spokesman said: "This bus got a bit lost around the stadium and some Roma fans tried to get on the bus.

"One managed to get on to the bus and there was a fight.

"The driver managed to get away when the Roma fan was pushed out of the bus."

He added: "We don't know if (the injury) was a stabbing or glass from a smashed window."

Roma won the match 1-0, cancelling out Arsenal's 1-0 win in the first leg, but the London club won a penalty shoot-out 7-6 to book a place in the quarter finals.

UK : Football yobs banned after train attack - 12/03/2009

Source : Doncaster Today

FOUR Doncaster football hooligans have been banned from every ground in the country after an attack on public school pupils.
A judge has imposed three-year football banning orders on the yobs who assaulted the teenagers - Leeds United followers - on an early evening train.

One of the louts, Daniel Roberts, 21, was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years after flashing in front of passengers.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the drunken Doncaster fans were returning from Rovers' game at Carlisle in February last year when five students from Giggleswick School boarded the train at Settle.

Recorder David Dobbin heard passengers on the Leeds-bound train had already been subjected to shouting and swearing.

Chris Smith, prosecuting, said the students were goaded by rival fans after they said they supported Leeds United.

Roberts threw a bottle at the pupils before Mark Savory and Christopher Blakey, both 21, join in the attack.

The court heard punches and bottles were thrown at the pupils before they managed to get out of the carriage and seek help.

The police were alerted and the three men, together with a fourth Rovers' supporter - 28-year-old Shaun Tetley - were arrested at Skipton station.

Mr Dobbin ordered Roberts, Savory and Blakey to pay a total of £500 in compensation to the sixth formers.

Roberts, of Wroxham Way, Cusworth; Savory, of Petersgate, Scawthorpe; and Blakey, of Brook Way, Arksey; all pleaded guilty to affray.
Roberts also admitted indecent exposure.

Tetley, of Burton Avenue, Balby, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour. The court heard he had not got involved in the attack.

Solicitor-advocate Ged Hale representing Roberts, said his client had consumed in excess of 30 bottles or cans before embarking on what he accepted with hindsight was completely outrageous and unacceptable behaviour.

As well as the banning order and having to sign the Sex Offenders' Register Roberts received 11 months in jail suspended for two years and 150 hours unpaid work.

Savory and Blakey had their nine month prison terms suspended for two years and must also do 100 hours of unpaid work.

Tetley was ordered to do 50 hours of unpaid work.

UEFA fines Dinamo for riot by fans in Prague - 12/03/2009

Source : Croatian Times

Football club Dinamo Zagreb must pay a 10,000-Euro fine because of clashes caused by its fans at the stadium where the Sparta Prague-Dinamo game in the first round of UEFA Cup play occurred on 2 October in Prague.

The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Committee’s decision was reported on Dinamo’s official web site.

Although Dinamo officials expected a harsher penalty, even exclusion from playing in Europe, they got off this time with a symbolic fine.

The situation in the stadium was bad, but there was chaos on the streets as members of Dinamo’s Bad Blue Boys fan club ran amok.

They fought with Sparta fans, and more than 300 people were arrested and some slightly injured. In the fight, which made the area look like a "war zone," fans even attacked police who had had to intervene. By the end of the game, eight policemen had been slightly injured.

Dinamo football fans were also involved in a fight with Czech police the night before the game.

FC Porto - Atletico Madrid - 11/03/2009

Source : Goal.com

Atletico Madrid Condemn Porto Journalist Attack

Four journalists and a fan of Atletico Madrid were attacked by Porto supporters after the Champions League game in Portugal on Wednesday evening and the Spanish club have issued a statement condemning the incident.

Atletico Madrid have condemned the attack on a number of Spanish journalists by Porto supporters after their Champions League exit in the Portuguese city on Wednesday evening.

Los Colchoneros were eliminated from the competition after a tense encounter that saw passions run high, but long after the match the hosts' fans were not in celebratory mood.

Four journalists were chased along with a supporter by people claiming to be followers of Porto, according to Atletico Madrid's official website.

The five Spaniards had to take refuge in a hotel before the police arrived and were able to guarantee their safe passage away from the area where the assailants were gathered.

"Club Atletico de Madrid would like to show its disgust and condemn the attack suffered by several Spanish journalists and an Atletico supporter who was accompanying them in Oporto on Wednesday night, after the match that Atlético de Madrid played at the Estadio do Dragao," the Spanish club statement read.

"Late Wednesday night and on into the early hours of Thursday morning, Javier Amaro (Radio Marca), Miguel Martín Talavera (Radio Marca), Luis Aznar (Marca) and José Antonio García Sirvent (Mundo Deportivo) had to take refuge in a hotel (for nearly three hours) after being chased by extreme Oporto supporters, who threatened them violently and threw all types of objects at the Spanish journalists. The Portuguese Police had to intervene to guarantee the safety of the journalists.

"Club Atlético de Madrid would like to show its support to this group of professionals of the media, while at the same time severely condemning the events that occurred, and celebrating the fact that, luckily, none of the journalists suffered any harm."

Dutch plan 'football act' to combat hooliganism - 12/03/2009

Source : Radio Netherlands

It's been a long time in coming, but it finally looks like the Netherlands will soon have a "football act" to tackle hooliganism.

What, football hooliganism.... in the Netherlands? Dutch fans at international matches have an exemplary reputation. The good-humoured "orange army" with its painted faces, funny hats and bright orange clothing is a welcome guest in many a foreign city. But back in the Netherlands, mayors and city centres hold their breath when there's a match between domestic rivals.

Recently the mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Job Cohen and Ahmed Aboutaleb, agreed with their local clubs, Ajax and Feyenoord, to ban away fans from attending matches after warnings to unruly fans to curb their behaviour had repeatedly gone unheeded.

The problems

So what is everyone is getting so upset about? Inside the stadium the bad behaviour ranges from racist and offensive chanting to the throwing of projectiles, including fireworks, onto the pitch. Outside the stadium it's vandalism and fighting which have given certain clubs a bad reputation. In April last year in Groningen, fans brought hundreds of toilet rolls into the stands to throw onto the pitch. The authorities were aware of the seemingly innocent plan and took no action against it. Unfortunately the toilet paper caught fire, set fire to one of the stands in the ground and as a result several people had to be taken to hospital with breathing problems. The game, between FC Groningen and Ajax, was cancelled.

The worst- ever incident in Dutch football history was the death of Ajax fan Carlo Picorne in 1997, when fans of archrivals Ajax and Feyenoord agreed to meet in a field for a fight far away from the actual match.

In 1999 there were major riots in Rotterdam after Feyenoord fans gathered to celebrate winning the league title - the police even opened fire at one stage and there was millions of euros worth damage to property.

In 2006 Ajax fans stormed a supporters' club house from the ADO Den Haag team, in the Hague, they were armed with molotov cocktails, sticks and knives. An ADO fan was stabbed and the club house set on fire.

Preventive powers

The new football act will give local authorities more powers to take preventive action. The raft of measures will include an ban on entering certain areas, on assembly and on contacting certain people, and notorious hooligans will be obliged to report to the police during high-risk matches.

Pressure has been growing to take more action as there has been no sign of the problem of hooliganism going away. In 2007, the Labour Party, the Christian Democrats and the conservative VVD put forward a private members' bill. This came a year after Feyenoord fans wreaked havoc at an UEFA Cup match in the French city of Nancy. Fans rioted inside and outside of the stadium and as a result Feyenoord was fined and kicked out of the competition. At the time Feyenoord placed a full-page advert in a newspaper asking for a football act.

"If we had a football act in the Netherlands, these vandals would never have been able to go to the match in Nancy."

The Dutch football association, the KNVB, has been calling for a package of measures to tackle violence in and around football stadiums for several years. In 2005 Henk Kesler, professional football managing director, said:

"Our legal system is not sufficiently equipped to tackle football vandals swiftly and effectively."

Up to now it has been up to the clubs themselves to try to keep hooliganism at bay. As a result, the clubs introduced expensive membership cards and banned aggressive fans from their matches. Finally there is broad political support for a football act similar to the Football (Offences and Disorder) Act of 1999 which largely cleaned up the game in England.

Bristol Rovers - Leeds United - 07/03/2009

Source : Evening Post

Police chief defends tactics at Bristol Rovers v Leeds match

The city's top police officer has defended the way his officers policed the Bristol Rovers v Leeds United game – but a pub landlady still insists they got it wrong.
Assistant Chief Constable John Long has written to the Bristol Post after Bishopston ward councillor Bev Knott questioned police tactics before and after Saturday's game at the Memorial Ground.
He said the encounter had been categorised as "high risk" because of previous clashes between the supporters of the clubs.
But Claire Mitchell, publican at the Queen Vic, in Gloucester Road, claims the situation was made worse by mounted police surrounding her pub for 45 minutes, trapping people after the game.
She insists there was no hint of trouble in or outside her pub and said police only increased the post-match tension.
Trouble did break out down the road at The Foresters pub.
Mrs Mitchell said: "They formed a semi-circle around my pub trapping people inside for three-quarters of an hour.
"When people are trapped somewhere, for no apparent reason, I'd say that makes things worse.
"I'd definitely say the police got it wrong. I know they've got a hard job to do at a 'Category A' game, but there was no trouble whatsoever in my pub and I feel they were over the top."
Responding to the criticism made by Cllr Knott, Mr Long wrote: "There were some localised disturbances between followers from both sides in two local pubs and on some streets surrounding the stadium.
"Police were aware of the potential problems surrounding this match so we were well prepared and able to respond to the incidents quickly, quashing the problems and restoring order to the streets.
"The match had been identified as a high risk event because of previous clashes between the two clubs.
"Therefore, we ensured that there was a high police presence throughout the day to deter any troublemakers and to allow us to respond quickly to any incidents as and when they occurred."
He added: "My police officers responded rapidly and efficiently to the problems that occurred that day. They were fully briefed in advance that there may be some problems caused by a small group of criminals purporting to support each of the teams.
"This allowed us to react quickly to problems and prevent otherwise far more problematic events from occurring, whilst still allowing the majority of law abiding football fans to have a pleasant and enjoyable day out.
"It simply isn't appropriate to treat all football supporters as hooligans when a vast majority of people who attend matches simply want to have a good day out supporting their local team.
"Both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers supporters have a good record for their behaviour at matches so why should the majority of fans be penalised for the behaviour of a few who choose to misbehave?"
He wrote the letter after Cllr Knott questioned police tactics which brought the busy Gloucester Road to a standstill ahead of the game – the Pirates' second 2-2 draw against their Yorkshire rivals this season.
Cllr Knott said it was unacceptable that residents going about their law-abiding business should have to be caught up with football fans intent on causing trouble.
Having been briefed by the senior officer, Cllr Knott said he had further questions.
He told the Bristol Post: "I will be interested to see what plans had been made for managing and escorting troublemakers, and I am also interested in the cost we residents will have to bear.
"I have to admit I was unaware of potential trouble having had no warning in advance, as probably were many other people whose relaxing Saturday afternoon was rudely interrupted by this unacceptable run of disturbances."
The Bristol Post reported how five fans were arrested on Saturday for a variety of offences, including affray.
Police stressed they could still make further arrests and would push for troublemakers to be banned from games.

Leeds Mob

Werder Bremen - Saint-Etienne - 12/03/2009

Source : Mail (photos : furaniaphotos.free.fr)

ASSE mob

Germany: VfB Lübeck II - Holstein Kiel II - 11/03/2009

Source : ln-online.de

Police separated both sides of supporters who tried to confront themselves.
In front of the stadium about 20 locals fronted police, using firecrackers and bricks.
Three men were arrested.
80 Kiel fans were escorted back to the train station.

Translation Underground Fans

Marseille - Ajax Amsterdam- 12/03/2009

Source : France Info

Riots before the game

Prior to this UEFA cup game opposing Marseille to Ajax, this Tuesday at Velodrome stadium, troubles occured at 8pm, near the stadium.
Thousand of Ajax fans tried to attack Marseille fans, throwing firecrackers.
Police forces immediately intervened.
A Dutch was arrested.

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Marseille mob




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Source : Mail (thanks to the sender)








Video : Marseille mob try to avoid french CRS to reach F-siders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVuk0C2Vwyw


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Source: http://www.ajaxfotoside.nl





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Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

1st round

Marseille lads mobbed up at a pub near the stadium at 7pm.
At 8pm we're about 100 and rumours announced the arriving of Ajax lads.
Troubles started but french CRS intervened.

2nd round

Marseille mob (150/200) used little streets and arrived in front of about 150 Dutch. Small local advantage at the beginning. Punches and firecrackers are exchanged...then, Ajax lads charged us. Only a few of us stood their ground but we're outnumbered.

3rd round

We came back with 100 but another advantage for Ajax.
Several people injured on both sides and a few arrests.