Season 08/09 - May

Police target thugs at Tyne-Tees derby clash - 08/05/2009

Source : Evening Chronicle

FOOTBALL thugs intent on causing bother at the Tyne-Tees crunch clash will be heavily targeted.

That was the message today from police gearing-up for Newcastle United’s relegation dogfight with North East rivals Middlesbrough on Monday.

Around 250 officers, including specialist hooligan spotters, will be on duty to deal with any outbreaks of violence before, during or after the match.

Chief Supt Neil Mackay, of Northumbria Police, said: "I am conscious that all three North East teams are in a precarious position and emotions will be running high.

"But if people are going to lose control of their emotions, perhaps also fuelled by alcohol, they should know they are liable to get arrested.

"We will seek to secure banning orders against anyone who is caught causing trouble and during the course of this season, we have seen a number of examples of people banned for as many as six years and even sent to prison for offences committed at football games.

"We want there to be a good match that supporters can go to with their families and not have the event spoiled by a mindless minority."

Newcastle and Middlesbrough both occupy spots in the Premier League’s bottom three, meaning a victory would be crucial for either side on Monday.

Around 3,000 Boro fans will make the trip from Teesside to Tyneside for the 8pm fixture, which is being televised live.

In November, the two sides drew 0- 0 at the Riverside, but there are fears a point would be good enough for either team as they attempt to beat the drop.

Chief Supt Mackay revealed there will be around 200 Northumbria Police officers working in conjunction with up to 50 from the British Transport Police (BTP) on Monday.

He added: "We will be working closely with both clubs and the BTP and we will adopt a firm but fair policy for policing the game.

"Anyone who steps out of line will be arrested or identified and arrested after the event. We will be supported by CCTV cameras operating throughout the city and the police helicopter."

Officers will be deployed to escort travelling fans from Newcastle Central Station to the stadium, while spotters will patrol known hooligan hangouts, looking for so-called "risk" supporters.

Chief Supt Mackay’s warning comes as soccer yob Raymond Nevin was given a fresh stadium ban after repeatedly breaching a court order to stay away from matches.

Nevin was given a new three-year football banning order, which prevents him from going to any game in England and Wales, or being in city centres where Newcastle United are playing.

Chief Supt Mackay said: "This shows that if you breach your ban, we will find out and take the necessary action against you.

"In this case, a fresh ban has been issued, which demonstrates how seriously we and the courts take such matters."

Leeds fans warned as police amass troops for Millwall match - 08/05/2009

Source : Yorkshire Post

FOUR hundred police officers will be on duty for Leeds United's play-off semi-final game at Millwall tomorrow.

Police today warned fans to behave themselves ahead of the first leg of the clash at Millwall's New Den ground.

Supt Peter Vincent of the Metropolitan Police said: "Our message to those attending is simple.

"If you're coming to enjoy the game safely and legally, we will endeavour to help you do that.

"However, if you intend to cause trouble you will find your efforts thwarted."

Arrangements are also being put in place for the return leg at Elland Road on Thursday.

In February, 12 people were arrested after trouble at a Leeds-Millwall match at Elland Road.

West Yorkshire Police said the fans were held for public disorder and criminal damage offences which happened during and after the game at the Leeds ground.

Millwall FC - Leeds United - 09/05/2009

Source: http://www.skysports.com

Millwall fan arrested

Action taken for alleged assault on Leeds goalkeeper

A Millwall fan has been arrested after confronting Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren during Saturday's League One play-off clash at the New Den.

Ankergren was apparently attacked as a small number of home supporters poured onto the pitch after Neil Harris scored the only goal of the semi-final first leg in the 71st minute.

Police horses were used to restore calm at the ground, with a Scotland Yard spokesman confirming: "One man was arrested on suspicion of assault."

Speaking after the game, Leeds manager Simon Grayson played down the incident.
Hostile

"You know that in play-off semi-finals the atmosphere is quite hostile and people get exuberant," he said.

"I thought the authorities handled it well and our players didn't respond to anything.

"I'm just here to protect my players, they're all okay and nothing much was made of it.

"Casper hasn't mentioned it. I wouldn't want to take Casper on if I was a Millwall fan anyway."




Leeds mob

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

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

Football fan arrested after keeper confrontation

A Millwall football fan has been arrested for hitting out at a player during a heated League One play-off showdown between two sides with a history of off-field violence.
Leeds United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren was apparently attacked during a minor pitch invasion following Millwall's goal in the club's 1-0 first leg semi-final win.

Police horses were used to calm scenes at the New Den, in south London after a clutch of home supporters poured on to the pitch when Neil Harris scored his 117th goal for the Lions after 71 minutes.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "One man was arrested on suspicion of assault."

Leeds manager Simon Grayson played the incident down.

He said: "You know that in play-off semi-finals the atmosphere is quite hostile and people get exuberant.

"I thought the authorities handled it well, our players didn't respond to anything. I'm just here to protect my players, they're all okay and nothing much was made of it.

"Casper hasn't mentioned it. I wouldn't want to take Casper on if I was a Millwall fan anyway."



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

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

Leeds keeper punched by thug during pitch invasion at Millwall

A football fan was arrested for hitting out at a player today during a heated League One play-off showdown between two sides with a history of off-field violence.

Leeds United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren was apparently attacked during a minor pitch invasion following Millwall's goal in the club's 1-0 first leg semi-final win.

Police horses were used to calm scenes at the New Den, in south London after a clutch of home supporters poured on to the pitch when Neil Harris scored his 117th goal for the Lions after 71 minutes.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "One man was arrested on suspicion of assault."

Leeds manager Simon Grayson played the incident down.

He said: "You know that in play-off semi-finals the atmosphere is quite hostile and people get exuberant.

"I thought the authorities handled it well, our players didn't respond to anything. I'm just here to protect my players, they're all okay and nothing much was made of it.

"Casper hasn't mentioned it. I wouldn't want to take Casper on if I was a Millwall fan anyway."




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

Source: Getty Images






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

Source: BBC

Ankergren fumes at Millwall fans

Ankergren was involved in the play-offs for Leeds last season

Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren says he feels Millwall should face punishment for the behaviour of some of their fans in the play-off semi-final, first leg.

Millwall fans ran on to the pitch, confronted Ankergren and threw missiles at him after he conceded Neil Harris' winning goal.

"There was something thrown at me, I didn't see what it was as I turned my back on it," Ankergren told BBC Sport.

"It's very bad for football and Millwall should be punished."

Millwall won 1-0 thanks to a goal from substitute Neil Harris and go to a sold-out 37,000-capacity Elland Road in the second leg on Thursday night.

Ankergren added: "I was pushed in the back by one of the fans that came on the pitch too. It should never happen, fans should not be allowed on to the pitch.

"I'm not sure what the security were doing as no-one came to remove them. They are meant to be here to protect the players, it's not good enough.

"Anything could have happened, luckily it didn't and hopefully I wouldn't experience that again.

"English fans are normally much better than Danish fans, who always throw stuff on the pitch and at players.

"But it's happened here at Millwall and I hope something will be done. It is a disgrace to football."

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed that one man had been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson admitted it was a hostile atmosphere but felt his players handled it well.

"It's a play-off semi-final, it's hurly burly with a hostile atmosphere and you're going to be on the back foot at times but I thought we defended ever so well," he said.

"I said that if we we're still in the tie after the game today then we can turn it round and we still are in the tie.

"We know now what we've got to do. We've got 90 minutes to turn a 1-0 deficit into a positive for us and we've got players that are capable of doing that.

"We've got 37,000 at Elland Road on Thursday night, which is going to be some atmosphere and that isn't going to get us through the game but it will help."

AEK Athens - Olympiakos Pireus - Cupfinal - 02/05/2009

Source : Mail (thanks to the sender)

Glasgow Rangers - Celtic Glasgow - 09/04/2009

Source: Sunday Mail (thanks to the sender)

11 people arrested by police in blitz on Old Firm violence

POLICE made 11 arrests at yesterday's Old Firm game at Ibrox.
Two were for breach of the peace while one was for a sectarian breach of the peace.
The remaining eight people were detained for minor offences.
An extra 1000 Strathclyde Police officers were on duty to counter the threat of increased violence at the Celtic and Rangers clash.
Rangers won the game 1-0 thanks to a Steven Davis goal to go top of the SPL.
A police spokeswoman said: "This was not a high number of arrests."
But a police source said: "It's too early to get a clear idea of the number of football-related incidents away from the ground."
Strathclyde Police's extra presence on the streets was part of a major operation to combat the alcohol-fuelled violence that blights Old Firm matches.
They revealed that serious crime during the last three games was 113 per cent higher than during other weekends.
Domestic abuse incidents also rose by 41 per cent.
British Transport Police said the number of incidents it dealt with rose by up to 175 per cent.
Strathclyde Police's tough stance was backed by chief constable Steve House and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

Police appeal for calm before derby day match - 10/05/2009

Source : Sunday Sun



AS the North gears up for one of the biggest soccer grudge games for decades supporters on both sides and police are calling for calm.

Newcastle United take on Middlesbrough at St James’s Park tomorrow night with both teams stuck in the Premier League’s drop zone.

The rivals are both desperate for three points to ease their relegation fears, with Sunderland fans praying for a draw to preserve the cushion between them and their neighbours.

Hundreds of extra police officers have been drafted in to try to prevent outbreaks of violence before, during and after the clash.

And fans of both clubs have told of their tension ahead of the fixture. Steve Wraith, editor of North East football fanzine Players’ Inc, said: “I think Newcastle fans tend to look at the Tyne-Tees derby as the lesser of the two but that is not the case as far as this game is concerned.

“It is the biggest game of both teams’ seasons and it should really be held at high noon, rather than 8pm on a Monday night because it is such a big showdown.

“I just hope that both sets of fans behave themselves and it is not remembered for all the wrong reasons. The atmosphere will be heated - the fans are always up for these occasions and it is not one to be missed for sure.”

In November, Middlesbrough and Newcastle drew 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium but this time both sets of supporters fear a point will not be enough to help either beat the dreaded drop.

Graham Harper, of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Club, said: “As always Newcastle fans will get behind the team in this do or die match.

“NUSC would urge all fans to raise the roof for the lads and we wish Alan and the team the best.

“The match is one of the most important in the history of the club and we hope the players rise to the challenge against a Boro side who are also battling for their lives.”

Rob Nichols, editor of the Middlesbrough fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, said the game represented a potential “knock-out blow” for both sides.

“It’s quite incredible how big this game is . . . there’s so much at stake,” he said.

“I really hope there’s no trouble with the fans because it’s going to be a phenomenal occasion and neither set of fans are doing their club, their town or their city any favours by getting involved in violence.

“The battle is there to be won on the pitch.”

Police will be monitoring events closely, hoping trouble doesn’t flare as emotions run high. Chief Supt Neil Mackay, of Northumbria Police, said: “There will be more than 200 officers on duty and the message is clear - if anyone acts in a disorderly manner, they will be arrested.

“People need to think that for a moment’s madness, they could be banned from football for a number of years and, depending on the offence they commit, could go to prison.

“If people go looking for bother, they will get it and it will be in the form of us arresting them.

FA to probe Millwall pitch invasion - 10/05/2009

Source : The Sun

THE FA will investigate the crowd trouble which marred Millwall's play-off clash with Leeds.



A number of spectators invaded the pitch after Neil Harris netted the winner with 71 minutes played at the Den.

Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren was also subjected to taunts from the home crowd and had missiles thrown at him.

Police horses were used to ensure further problems did not develop at full-time as the Lions won the first leg of the League One semi-final 1-0.

Scotland Yard have confirmed one fan has been arrested on suspicion of assault but Ankergren wants Millwall heavily punished.

The Dane said: "There was something thrown at me. I didn't see what it was as I turned my back on it.

"It's very bad for football and Millwall should be punished.

"I was also pushed in the back by one of the fans on the pitch.

"It should never happen, fans should not be allowed on to the pitch.

"I'm not sure what the security were doing as no one came to remove them. They are meant to be here to protect the players, it's not good enough.

"Anything could have happened, luckily it didn't and hopefully I wouldn't experience that again.

"English fans are normally much better than Danish fans, who always throw stuff on the pitch and at players.

"But it's happened here at Millwall and I hope something will be done. It is a disgrace to football."

Millwall have confirmed that any fans arrested will be banned from all their games for the foreseeable future.

Ankergren has also received apologies from the club.

Bosnia: Zeljeznicar - Sarajevo - 09/05/2009

Source: http://sportsport.ba/bh_fudbalp-17015.htm (thanks to the sender)

The match was stoped at 56th minute of the game for 12 minutes. Fans of FC Sarajevo situtated at northern terrace lighted up torches. They started tearing seats and throwing them onto the pitch. Special police forces acted immediately. With help of players, manager Janjosh and FC Sarajevo club Administration, whom conjured the fans to calm down, the situation settled. Couple of fans where injured.





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

Source : bljesak.info

Arsenal fan hangs himself in Kenya - 07/05/2009

Source: http://www.paktribune.com/sports/newsdetail.php?nid=5497

NAIROBI: An Arsenal fan in football-mad Kenya hanged himself following his team`s 4-1 aggregate drubbing by arch-rivals Manchester United in the Champions League semifinal, police said on Wednesday.

Suleiman Alphonso Omondi, a 29-year-old Kenyan living in the capital Nairobi`s Embakasi neighbourhood, hanged himself in his Arsenal shirt late on Tuesday after the match, police said. "We were watching the match at Bamba 70 pub, and when Arsenal was defeated, Suleiman just walked out in protest and he was crying," Calvin Otieno, one of his friends, told AFP.

"We didn`t know he was going to hang himself until this morning when we received the reports and came here to find his body at the balcony," Otieno said outside the deceased`s home. Arsenal slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal, capping a disappointing season for the Gunners who were already out of the Premier League title race early in the season.

Peru: Universitario - Sport Huancayo - 09/05/2009

Source: http://peruahora.perublog.net/2009/05/10/la-u-es-l-der-tras-vencer-4-1-a-sport-huancayo

Troubles opposed policemen to players inside the stadium.
Outside the stadium, other troubles occurred with supporters.

Colombia: Cobreloa - Municipal Iquique - 09/05/2009

Source: http://w

At the end of the game, supporters threw missiles at Iquique players we won the game.
Police protected the players.

Translation Underground Fans (c)



OTHER PICS: http://megagalerias.terra.cl/galerias/index.cfm?id_galeria=40845

Greece : Troubles in Katerini - 10/05/2009

Source : sportsya.com + protothema.gr

A mob of 250 Aris supporters caused troubles, attacking 50 PAOK fans from Katerini, who were in their own pub.
Bricks and bottles were threw.
Police used pepper sprays to disperse Aris fans.
Eight vehicles were burned during these troubles and 5 shops were damaged.
Ten people from both sides were injured.



Translation Underground Fans (c)

Sportfreunde Siegen - Wattenscheid 09 - 08/05/2009

Source : german press

A brawl erupted opposing supporters from both sides before and after the game.
Everything was caused by 50 Siegen fans. Half of them were arrested and a policeman was injured.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Servette Genève - La Chaux de Fonds - 09/05/2009

Source: http://www.20min.ch/ro/sports/football/story/Servette-bat-le-FCC-mais-tremble-toujours-11602054

...
Troubles occured inside the stands.

Albino Leffe - Brescia 1911 - 02/05/2009

Source: La Repubblica

One Atalanta fan was released this 5th of May after he was arrested Saturday afternoon in Bergamo following an attack of nerazzurri ultras at the trian of their Brescia rivals who came back from Albino Leffe.

The man, aged 26, was arrested because a policeman was injured at his leg.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

AC Ajaccio - SC Bastia - 08/05/2009

Source : Europe1 + Corse-Matin

Large brawl in Corse

Severe riots occured in the stands of the François-Coty stadium.
The referee stopped the game for a few minutes as supporters fought with police forces.
Several flares were threw in the pitch and french CRS used pepper sprays to control Bastia supporters.

Rosario Central - Newell's Old Boys - 09/05/2009

Source: lanacion.com.ar

For this high-risks derby game, a brawl opposed local fans to police.
Two people were injured and 37 arrested.

At the end of the game Rosario fans went out of the stadium with the aim to confront their rivals but finally, they fronted police forces who used rubber bullets to restore calm.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

VIDEO:

http://www.rosario3.com/noticias/policiales/noticias.aspx?idNot=50065



LINKS:

http://ar.news.yahoo.com/s/10052009/59/n-sports-1126829-incidentes-corridas-46-detenidos.html



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

Source : Momento 24

The classic match between Newell’s and Central ends in violence

After the match between Rosario Central and Newell’s clashes produced between the supporters of both teams leaving 40 arrested and 2 injured.

The fans of Rosario Central began the provocation, throwing stones to the Newell’s supporters when they were leaving the stadium. It generated a battle with the police who threw rubber bullets and moved on to arrest more than forty people, with a balance of two injured fans.

Football once again is touched by violence and gives a bitter taste to a sports event.


VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc3Jc1n1zhY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IW9RLomDTg

Esbjerg - Brøndby IF - 10/05/2009

Source : Politiken.dk + tvsyd.dk + jv.dk

Fans arrested after football match

Esbjerg Police detained a large number of rowdy football fans on Sunday evening, most of whom were later escorted home.

The SAS League football match between Esbjerg and Brøndby ended in disarray Sunday night with the detention of 83 fans for public disorder during and after the match.

Ten of those arrested remained in detention and were charged disturbing public order, while police eventually escorted the rest back to Copenhagen in special train carriages.

Beer cans
The trouble started towards the end of the match, when a larger group of Brøndby fans began throwing beer cans and containers at police.

“We have previously had trouble with vandalism in town and on trains in connection with football matches. We avoided both this time by our administrative arrests,” says South and Southern Jutland Police Duty Officer.

Malmö FF - Djurgårdens IF - 10/05/2009

Source : The Local

Football hooligans run riot on Swedish flight

Five Swedish football supporters were forced to leave a plane at Malmö Airport on Sunday with a further seven suspected of air traffic sabotage after threatening crew and beating up a fellow passenger.

Despite the fact that five of the followers of Stockholm club Djurgården were forced to leave the plane before take off from Malmö Airport bound for Stockholm Bromma, the situation became so unruly that crew members considered terminating the flight.

Sunday's loss in the Allsvenskan football match against Malmö FF proved too much for some of the supporters of struggling Djurgården. Several of the football fans lost their senses on the flight operated by Malmö Aviation back to Stockholm.

"When the plane was due to taxi out two people stood up and started shouting and screaming. When a flight attendant and a passenger tried to calm them down so that the plane could take off, the passenger was held down by two supporters while a third punched him," said Bengt Kihlberg at Stockholm police to news agency TT.

The disturbance forced the plane to return to the gate where police collected five of the more unruly supporters.

Despite the arrests the rowdy behaviour continued all the way to Bromma and when the plane landed in Stockholm it was met with a large police presence.

Seven Djurgården supporters are now suspected of air traffic offences and several reports of assault and threatening behaviour have been filed with police.

"All have been identified but no one has been detained. The prosecutor will take a look at this and hopefully legal proceedings will follow," said Bengt Kihlberg.

"There were a total of 30-40 Djurgården supporters onboard the aircraft and there was a great deal of irritation that five were forced off the plane. The staff considered interrupting the journey and cabin service was suspended for safety reasons. The situation then improved somewhat and the flight could then be completed," Bent Kihlberg said.

HNK Šibenik - Dinamo Zagreb - 10/05/2009

Source : index.hr (thanks to the sender)








Vidéo : http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/video-pogledajte-nevjerojatne-kadrove-sa-sibenskog-derbija/433297.aspx

Source:mail (thanks to the sender)

As croatian media reports Torcida and BBB clashed at the gas station near the town Nadin. The BBB were traveling to Shibenik for there away game while Torcida were traveling to Rijeka for there's. About 70 fans from Torcida side have noticed about 20 BBBs across the highway and stormed over the road. The clash lasted for couple of minutes when police interfered and arrest 20 Torcidas. Minor damage was caused to the gas station.

APOEL Nicosia - Omonia Nicosia - 10/05/2009

Source : Cyprus Mail

Game canned and teargas out in another weekend of football violence

NICOSIA’S GSP stadium transformed into a combat zone on Sunday afternoon as rival football fans clashed in a league match that was otherwise of no consequence to the title.

Nine people were injured in the scuffles and were treated by stadium physicians. One person suffering a blow to the head was rushed to Nicosia general hospital for surgery; his condition is now stable. Six youths were arrested during the violence, of whom two 19-year-olds and a 20-year-old were charged and released.

Police made heavy use of tear gas as supporters of both teams fought pitched battles inside but mostly outside the stadium’s grounds, both during and after the game between the two Nicosia powerhouses APOEL and Omonia.

APOEL have already mathematically clinched the title.

Trouble was brewing even before the referee blew his whistle, as a band of hooligans stormed through the gates of the northern tier – reserved for Omonia fans – looking to pick a fight.

The atmosphere inside was already at boiling point as the game kicked off, but the situation quickly deteriorated after visitors Omonia scored the first goal. Fans from both teams began hurling smoke bombs and firecrackers onto the field.

Referee Panicos Andronikou and his assistants made their way to the centre of the pitch and waited a few minutes for the excitement to die down. When the Omonia goalkeeper was struck by a firecracker, the man in black took his assistants and headed for the tunnel. Club officials persuaded Andronikou to resume the match.

The same back-and-forth scenario was repeated when Omonia scored a second goal. Andronikou finally had enough and called the game off when a loud firecracker exploded at the intersection of two stands. The incident occurred seconds after the fourth assistant had raised the board to indicate 23 minutes of added time – quite possibly a world record for a professional football match.

With the match over, rival fans clashed at the parking lot outside the stadium, as police tear-gassed the troublemakers, some of whom defiantly set fire to shrubs in retreat.

In the madness, a group of APOEL supporters reportedly made their way to the northern tier and attacked around six young girls who had stayed behind.

Meanwhile trouble spilled over on to Limassol Avenue leading into central Nicosia, forcing police to briefly close the road.

The game ended at 2-0 to Omonia, who had twice lost to APOEL during the regular season. It is now up to the FA to decide whether the score stands and award the three points to the visitors.

In his match report, the referee noted that the game was interrupted because of crowd trouble, leaving it up to the FA’s disciplinary body to decide any sanctions. Both clubs could face hefty fines and a home ground ban.

In a sign of disapproval, neither team’s coach turned up at the post-match news conference. As always, officials from both clubs meanwhile denounced the troubles, with APOEL club chairman Fivos Erotokritou remarking: “Under these conditions, it’s not worth being in football.”








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

Source : The Canadian Press

Three fans arrested, nine hospitalized after Cyprus football fan fight

Police say three people have been arrested and nine hospitalized after fighting between fans of local football rivals APOEL and Omonia resulted in officials abandoning the match.

The league game was called off Sunday after Omonia took a 2-0 lead in the first half. The match had already been suspended twice as fans hurled fireworks and plastic seats at each other.

Nicosia police chief Kypros Michaelides said Monday that the rival fans also clashed outside the stadium in Nicosia.

APOEL, which clinched the Cypriot league title last month, and Omonia condemned the violence in a joint statement.

Football hooligan told he faces jail term - 12/05/2009

Source : Get Surrey

A FOOTBALL hooligan has been warned to expect a jail sentence after admitting his part in a brawl at Ash Vale railway station last year.

Guildford Magistrates' Court heard on Monday that Shaun Freeland was part of a group of up to 30 men who stormed the station after Aldershot Town drew with Brentford last October.

The court heard that there had been a heavy police presence at the football match and on nearby trains because both teams were known to have "risk elements" in their supporters – “known to most of us as football hooligans,” added prosecutor Darren Matravers.

Mr Matravers told the magistrates that a group of men had hatched a plan in the Beehive pub in Aldershot High Street to go to Ash Vale station in search of Brentford fans on their way home.

He read the court a statement from PC Martin Vine, who had been on duty at the station. PC Vine described seeing a number of cars speeding into the car park and parking "unusually", and some men getting out and running into the station.

“The men were moving quickly and purposefully. They went onto the platform where the train with the Brentford fans had stopped and their body language was aggressive,” he added.

The court heard the men were shouting "Come on then, we will have you", and were gesturing and swearing at the 150 rival fans on the train, which was also carrying children and elderly passengers.

PC Vine said he and his colleagues shouted to the men to keep back. He added: “They took no notice of us all and carried on shouting and threatening the others [the Brentford fans], with more of their number seemingly arriving by the second.”

The police officers drew their batons, PC Vine added, to try to drive the two groups apart. The Aldershot supporters then started swearing at the police, he said, adding: “The passengers were visibly shocked and alarmed at what was happening.”

Freeland told police he admitted being part of the brawl at the station, but he denied any knowledge of a plan being prepared at the Beehive pub.

The 20-year-old, of Roberts Road in Aldershot, admitted using threatening words or behaviour. Drew Pettifer, defending, asked for sentencing to be adjourned while the probation service prepares reports on the defendant.

Freeland sobbed in the dock as court chairman Richard Mangnall told him: “We take an extremely serious view of this kind of behaviour. It is an absolute menace to society, and we are all thoroughly sick of it.

“You are almost certainly looking at a custodial sentence.”

Freeland was one of 10 men arrested in October. He will be sentenced on May 18 along with Samuel Lennox, 25, of St Michaels Road in Aldershot, and Ian McGuiness, 18, of Woodland Walk in Aldershot.

All the men are on conditional bail. They are banned from going to any Aldershot Town football match and from travelling by train in the four hours before and after home and away games, and must not contact one another directly or indirectly.

Stevenage Borough - York City - 09/05/2009

Source : The Press in York

Three York City supporters arrested over breach of bans

THREE York City fans have been arrested for allegedly breaching football banning orders during the club’s big day out at Wembley.

The supporters could now face further punishment from the Metropolitan Police after being caught watching the Minstermen’s FA Trophy final defeat against Stevenage Borough – despite being banned from the famous stadium.

No charges have yet been brought by the London force, but the arrests were another blot on one of the most prestigious days in the club’s history, after some fans lit flares behind one of the goals before kick-off and in the opening minutes of the match – which City bosses said left them “disappointed” and “embarrassed”.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman confirmed three people had been arrested for alleged Section 2 football banning order offences in the City section at Wembley, although it is not known whether the arrests were connected with the flare incidents – which members of the Jorvik Reds supporters’ group have said were aimed at providing a colourful and inspirational show of support.

City’s community and communications director, Sophie Hicks, said: “We are liaising with police and trying to find out more information, and we will then get to the bottom of what happened.

“But, at this stage, the information we have received is vague.”

She said the club had received “a lot of positive feedback” from supporters who travelled to London for Saturday’s match.

“It is tremendous and very uplifting to hear what they thought of the experience,” she said.

“We have written to the Football Association to praise them for their organisation and the helpfulness of the Wembley staff.”

Meanwhile, police are studying CCTV footage in an attempt to catch thugs who threw a brick through the windscreen of a City supporters’ bus. The York Pullman coach was carrying fans back from Wembley on Saturday when it was attacked near the junction of the A1 and A63, south of South Milford, with one supporter being taken to hospital after suffering an injured leg.

“This was one of a number of similar incidents where projectiles, such as rocks, stones or bricks, have been thrown in that area at passing vehicles,” said Detective Inspector Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police. He said a lorry was also targeted by yobs on Saturday afternoon.

City’s commercial director, Ross Potter, visited the injured supporter at his home yesterday and Mrs Hicks – who also praised Pullman’s travel operation for the final – said: “His leg below the knee is very bruised and swollen and he is on crutches, but he is okay.

“He is still in good spirits despite the incident. He had a fantastic day at Wembley and he was full of praise for Pullman and how the driver dealt with the incident.”



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

Brick hurled through windscreen of bus taking York City fans home from Wembley

THE driver of a coach taking York City fans back from Wembley was hailed a hero after the windscreen was smashed by a brick dropped from a motorway bridge.

A 59-year-old York City fan was hit by the missile and was taken to York Hospital with a suspected broken leg.

The incident happened as the coach, run by York Pullman Bus Company, was travelling on the A1 as it passed under the A63 bridge, just south of South Milford, near Selby.

The stunned driver was hailed for his “exemplary performance” by his bosses for bringing the coach, carrying 22 fans, to a safe halt. A spokesman for York Pullman said: “Something was dropped off a motorway bridge that went through the windscreen of the coach and hit a passenger. I’m not wanting to be too melodramatic, but had the boulder come through the windscreen two-feet further across, it would have hit the driver in the face.”

The spokesman said the driver managed to pull over on to the hard shoulder, despite the fact he was in a state of shock. “The driver’s behaviour was exemplary. He was very shaken up by the incident.”

Inspector Michael Green, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We can only assume that local youths may be responsible.”

The damaged coach was taken to Wetherby Services, where Pullman provided a replacement vehicle to get the supporters home. The injured male fan is from Dishforth, near Thirsk. He was among 11,000 fans who travelled to Wembley for the FA Trophy final match with Stevenage which City lost 2-0.

York City chairman Jason McGill hopes the club will rake in about £150,000 from their road to Wembley – cash which will be used to bolster the playing squad after years of operating on a shoestring.

He said: “It’s difficult to say at the moment, but I hope the match will give us about that amount. Now what we need to do is use that extra income in the right way to build a successful team. Our primary aim is to get out of the Blue Square Premier and back into the Football League – as a board of directors, we are committed to investing in that.

“It is a fantastic achievement for us to have got to Wembley and the support we had was absolutely wonderful – it shows there is a groundswell of support for York City and we thank them all for the efforts they made to be there. I’m very proud and very humble to have been part of a club which has represented York and North Yorkshire so well. That is testimony to the people of the region.”

While their big day out did not produce the trophy-lifting success they dreamed of, supporters refused to let defeat put a dampener on their spirits as they headed home.

“I’m disappointed, but not too down – Wembley was everything I hoped it would be and I just can’t believe I’ve seen City play there,” said Neil Jackson, 37, from Copmanthorpe.

“Not every supporter gets that chance, so we’ve experienced something we will always remember.”

Emma Lewis, 29, of Huntington, said: “To win would have been unbelievable, but the main thing is the occasion, the moments we’ll never forget about the day – the songs, the banter, seeing City walk out onto the pitch – and the money the club has made from getting to Wembley, which will hopefully secure its future.”

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

20 York City fans ejected at Wembley final

TWENTY York City fans were ejected from Wembley Stadium for their part in an incident that led to three arrests at last Saturday’s FA Trophy final.

The Press can reveal today that three City supporters were arrested on suspicion of possessing fireworks.

Now, in a statement, the Football Association (FA), has said there were more people involved in the incident.

A spokesman said: “Three York City fans were arrested for possession of fireworks on Saturday and police are applying for football banning orders.

“A further 20 York City fans were ejected for their involvement in the same incident. Identities of the fans involved are being passed to York City FC for further action that the club may wish to take.

“We should also take this opportunity to emphasise the dangers that flares and smoke canisters pose in a crowded environment such as a football stadium, and this incident underlines why such devices are banned from football stadia throughout the country.”

The FA is not planning to take further action against York City. It has written to the club on the issue, and the club will be working with North Yorkshire Police over the matter.

A steward was admitted to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation after handling a firework lit in the York City section of Wembley on Saturday.

The suspects have been charged, and police will apply for an order banning them from attending any football match involving any Premiership, Football League or Football Conference team or the England team. The length of ban would be determined by a court, but the minimum period would be three years.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman described the injuries suffered by the steward as minor.

About 13,000 supporters travelled to Wembley to watch City take on Stevenage Borough at Wembley, a game the Minstermen lost 2-0. In an email to The Press, a spokesperson for the Jorvik Reds supporters’ group, which lit the flares, said: “We never had any intention of injuring or causing distress to anyone, only to get behind the team, which we feel we succeeded in doing. Numerous fans have said the display was the highlight of their day.”

City’s community and communication’s director, Sophie Hicks, said: “We are liaising with police and trying to find out more information, and we will then get to the bottom of what happened.”

Lazio Roma - Sampdoria - Italian cupfinal - 13/05/2009

Source : guardian.co.uk with Reuters

Trouble follows Lazio Cup win in Rome

Lazio fans clashed with police and tried to smash shops in Rome city centre following their team's Italian Cup final win over Sampdoria, police said in a statement on Thursday.
Rome's Stadio Olimpico will host the Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona on May 27 despite several episodes of soccer violence in the city in recent years.
Police said three arrests had been made before and after Wednesday's Italian Cup final at the Olimpico but added that five police officers had been injured.
Rome club Lazio won 6-5 on penalties having drawn 1-1 after extra time.
At the weekend, Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno played down fears of a police strike over pay and conditions during the Champions League final.
In a separate matter, judicial sources in Italy also said the Naples villa of Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro, who is poised to move back to former club Juventus, had been seized for a third time by authorities because of construction offences.

*************************************************************
source: http://roma.repubblica.it/dettaglio/coppa-italia-scontri-in-centro-e-scritte-naziste-sui-muri/1633676 (thanks to the sender)




Clashes between supporters of Lazio and police during the celebrations.

Trail of the shocking finale di Coppa Italia 2008-09, won by Lazio on penalties with Sampdoria. The police have carried out full of lightening around in the night in the center of Rome, in particular in the Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna and Via Condotti. The intervention of police was necessary to avoid the damage and looting of shops in the center by some thousands of troublemakers who have launched against the forces of objects, firecrackers and smoke. On the walls of the city center have been written Nazi, xenophobic, swastika and slogan.

During the scuffles of Digos agents have arrested a supporter of Lazio, that has attacked an officer of the Department Mobile, then use medical treatment for a fracture. A steering wheel was damaged and four officers, two policemen and two carabienieri have placed contusions.
The arrest of Lazio supporter is added to the other police operations carried out during the preventive services provided by the Police for the Cup Final. Before the start of the two arrested were supporters of Sampdoria,found in possession of a firecracker during the filtration at the stadium, and for resistance to public officials. Were reported in four fans of freedom of Latium,all of them were stopped after having climbed over the barriers inside the stadium.
After the match, also in the outflow of supporters from the stadium staff of Commissioner Meadows, in collaboration with the Digos. And two more supporters of Lazio,found - through closed-circuit cameras in the stadium - as authors of the launch of smoke in the area "North distinct.

Athletic Bilbao - FC Barcelona - Spanich cup final played in Valencia - 13/05/2009

Source : Typically Spanish + AS.com

An Athletic Club de Bilbao fan was arrested by the National Police in the ground after throwing an object which hit the head of the Barcelona player Dani Alves. Other fans indicated the identity of the person who threw the item which caused no serious injury.

After the match more than forty thousand took to the streets of Barcelona to celebrate and a group of the supporters caused some problems and threw bottles at the regional Catalan police in the Plaza de Catalunya. There are reports that one man died in celebrations in Girona and that 45 arrests were made in Barcelona.






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

Source : Press