Season 09/10 - October

Chile - Ecuador - 15/10/2009

Source : EFE

83 Chilean supporters were arrested everywhere in the country after their team qualified to next World Cup in South Africa.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Salvador - Honduras - 14/10/2009

Source : Reuters

Missiles were threw at Honduras players after they scored the winning goal.

France: Sedan - Tours - (Charleroi Belgium) - 16/10/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

Previous week Sedan played a home friendly game against a belgian team, Charleroi.
Charleroi hardcore didn't made this non-interesting game but a few normal fans made the trip.
As about 10 of them were outside a pub, about 30 locals, some with weapons, assaulted this group. Two visitors were transfered at hospital and when they came back at their cars, some were damaged with "Young Boys" signs.

When Charleroi Boys'91 heard about these events they decived they pay a visit to Sedan one week later against Tours.
So about 45 belgian hooligans made the trip to Sedan and spotted the local main boozer but when they tried to reach this pub, police arrived from everywhere, stopping them.
Charleroi lads stood there for a while, waiting locals but police wasn't happy with that and talked about arresting and using flash-balls.

One week later Sedan action was really poor but this time they're weren't there..No bollocks, small mentality, small mob.


RCSC BOYS '91 ALWAYS STAND



In Sedan, Part of the mob

RSC Anderlecht - RSC Charleroi - 17/10/2009

Source: mail (thanks to the sender) - Charleroi

One coach (combi game) with Boys inside was arrested in the Luttre car park.
Police invaded the coach and everyone was controlled, photographed...

10g of cocaïne and other drugs were taken.
This first coach arrived with 50 minutes of delay.
The people inside a 2nd coach never entered the stadium.

Spartak Moscow — Lokomotiv Moscow - 18/10/2009

Source : agence Interfax + radiomayak.ru + top.rbc.ru

603 fans were arrested by the police.

Blackburn Rovers - Burnley - 18/10/2009

Source : Lancashire Evening Post

Twenty arrests following Lancashire derby

Twenty suspected football yobs have been arrested after a pre-planned fight following the Blackburn Rovers v Burnley clash.
Police swooped on the Station pub, Cherry Tree Road, Blackburn, at around 6.15pm on Sunday following reports of a "serious pre-planned public order incident" involving both Blackburn and Burnley fans.

A spokesman for police said officers are currently dealing with a number of incidents of "alcohol-fuelled violence" in both Blackburn and Burnley town centres and a seperate incident in an Accrington pub.

There are no serious injuries reported in the incident at The Station, but the 20 arrested so far have been detained on public order offences. Police said the incident was still ongoing atjust before 8pm.

Officers said the match itself, which kicked off at 1pm, had passed off without incident. An army of officers was drafted in to police the game and several pubs in Blackburn chose not to open their doors.

Burnley fans going to the game at Rovers' Ewood Park ground were made to cacth club coaches from Burnley for the game to minimise the chance of any trouble before, during or immediately after the match.

A Lancashire police spokesman said: "The vast majority of supporters of both teams are law-abiding and are passionate about supporting their football team, but it is disappointing that a small minority of people are this evening determined to ruin the occasion."

The spokesman added that the policing operation put in place throughout the day had allowed fans to enjoy the game,which ended 3-2 to Rovers.

Barrow AFC - Oxford United - 03/10/2009

Source : Oxford Mail

Four fans arrested before U's match

FOUR football fans were arrested in a clash between Oxford United and Barrow AFC supporters.

Cumbria police have revealed they worked with two Thames Valley Police officers to prevent the situation escalating before Saturday’s 1-1 draw in the North West.

Trouble between the two sets of fans had previously been reported on the opening day of last season, when the U's visited the newly promoted side.

Saturday’s confrontation took place outside the Furness Railway, a Wetherspoon pub near the Holker Street ground, at about 2.15pm.

Det con Craig Barrass, Barrow’s football-intelligence officer, said: “Two Oxford males were arrested, both on public-order offences.

“A 35-year-old male was given an £80 fixed-penalty notice and an 18-year-old man was cautioned, which means he accepted responsibility for his actions.

“They were detained during the match and released after the final whistle.

“Two Barrow fans were also arrested. A 17-year-old youth was arrested and charged for breaching a football banning order — he had breached an exclusion zone around the ground.

“A 34-year-old man, Stuart Williams, of Keith Street, Barrow, was charged with a Section 5 public-disorder offence.”

He added: “There was a police presence at the game and if there hadn’t been then the altercation could have escalated and prompted more disorder.

“The altercation involved about 15 to 20 supporters from either side. No other arrests were made for the rest of the day.”

Swiss : Sporting events keep police busy - 19/10/2009

Source : swissinfo.ch

Every week 900 police officers are needed to keep the peace at football and ice hockey matches in Switzerland, at a cost of SFr25 million ($24.7 million) a year.

The exact figures vary according to season, region and club, according to the Federal Police Office's hooliganism section, which provided the data following a request by senator Karin Keller-Sutter.

The cantons, which are responsible for security issues, must now take control and come up with suggestions regarding hooliganism, said the parliamentarian from the centre-right Radical Party.

Politicians and the police had to work on security concepts and give them to the clubs, she added.

In June Swiss football authorities announced sanctions after a series of violent incidents prompted criticism from Sepp Blatter, the Swiss president of Fifa, the world footballing body.

Twenty fans from Swiss Cup finalists Young Boys Bern and FC Sion were banned from all stadiums for up to three years for violent acts and using fireworks after the match in Bern on May 20. The Bern club was also fined SFr30,000.

In May Blatter said Switzerland had a hooligan problem and was "five to ten years" behind the rest of Europe in tackling the issue.

Football thugs charged after being seen at protest - 19/10/2009

Source : Lancashire Evening Post

Three football hooligans have been charged with breaching their football banning orders – after being spotted at an English Defence League march.
Stewart Baker, 19, of Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Lewis Dickinson, 21, of Whitmore Place, Ribbleton, and Matthew Cartwright, 18, Gamull Lane, Ribbleton, are supposed to sign on at Preston Police station during a regulated time period.

But instead of attending the police station last Saturday they were in Manchester among supporters of the English Defence League, a group which stages street protests against what it terms 'radical Islam'.

Some members clashed with anti-racism campaigners from Unite Against Fascism in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester on Saturday and police arrested 48 men during skirmishes.

Baker, Cartwright and Dickinson were not involved in any violence. However, they were all charged with failing to comply with a football banning order as they did not turn up to sign their papers in Preston.

Officers from Preston police say they saw them on a TV broadcast.

In October 2008 they were among four men banned from going anywhere near a match for five years for their roles in violence.

Preston police carried out an 18-month investigation into the thugs.

They were involved in three incidents of football violence, including one at Preston's defeat at Coventry – a game that was marred by violence.

They belonged to a group calling themselves the Preston Foot Patrol whose slogan is: "Walk with us or get walked over."

Dickinson refused to comment at his home. Baker and Cartwright were not available for comment.

They will all appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Police want Southampton fans' help in finding violent thugs - 21/10/2009

Source : Southern Daily Echo

HAMPSHIRE police are hoping Saints fans will help them find thugs who have targeted visiting fans at St. Mary's this season.

Officers have released these pictures of three men they want to speak to in connection with hooligan violence by Saints supporters.

They were in the crowd for the home clash against Yeovil, at which two visiting fans were attacked. Shortly after the final whistle on Saturday, September 19, a 38-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth were viciously beaten up at the Six Dials junction just a few hundred yards from the stadium.

Police say a gang kicked and punched the victims to the ground, where they were then repeatedly kicked and stamped on.

Five people have been arrested and released on bail, but police are still looking to trace three others in connection with the incident following Saints’ 2-0 win.

In the first picture, police want to identify the man shown on the far left of the image – described as in his 20s, 6ft, slim-proportionate build, with short hair wearing a red short sleeved t-shirt and blue jeans.

They also want to identify the man at the far top right hand – also in his 20s, around 5ft 11in, of slim build, with short hair wearing a black short sleeved t-shirt with a red logo in the centre, and wearing dark jeans.

In the second picture, police are hunting the man in his late 30s to mid-40s, of large build, short cropped hair, 5ft 10in and wearing a blue, grey, white striped shirt bearing the Southampton Football Club crest.

Operation Statistic follows a previous campaign by the police to find 11 thugs who caused trouble at the home game against Burnley in April.

A series of banning orders were handed out on troublemakers and one supporter, James Smith, 18, of Collett Close, Hedge End, was fined £100 for throwing a missile at the away fans.

Chief Superintendent Matthew Greening, head of Southampton police, said: “A few idiots who like to be considered to be Saints fans seem intent on finding any chance they can to attack rival fans even without any provocation or reason.

“We've had some nasty incidents at recent games and working with the club we are going to stop it.

“We know who many of these people are and we are going after them.

“We'll charge them with crimes where the evidence exists or work with the club to secure court or club bans against them.

“We won’t let them ruin the reputation of the club or spoil the quality of true Saints fans and their loyal support.”

Nick Hawkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight added: “The CPS will prosecute violent fans and bring them before the courts whenever there is sufficient evidence to do so.

“We will seek Football Banning Orders to keep them away from grounds so they’re unable to disrupt further matches.

“Youths may also be made the subject of a Football Banning Order and should not assume that their age will work in their favour if they are prosecuted for football related offences.”

Man suspected of killing Sarajevo fan turns himself in - 21/10/2009

Source : Croatian Times

Oliver Knezovic, suspected of killing Sarajevo fan Vedran Puljic in Siroki Brijeg, Bosnia- Herzegovina, turned himself in to the Zagreb police yesterday (Tues).

He went to the main police station with his lawyer, whom he had hired in Zagreb. Knezovic said he had run away from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Croatia because he believed he would not get a fair trial in that country.

Knezovic, 35, is suspected of killing Puljic, 24, during a riot before the Siroko Brijeg – Sarajevo football game on 4 October. He first turned himself in to local police but then fled because, as he said, everyone had been accusing him of something he had not done. In an interview on Nova TV, Knezovic said he had shot into the air but not at Sarajevo fans or Puljic.

Knezovic said: "I express my sincere condolences to Vedran’s family, but I am not responsible for his death. I was only defending my people."

He has both Bosnia-Herzegovian and Croatian nationality. After he fled from the police, he hid for a while in abandoned cottages.

Knezovic decided to turn himself in after he heard a policeman had been accused of being co-responsible for Puljic’s death.

Olimpija - Maribor - Slovenian Cup - 21/10/2009

Source : green-dragons.com

Second game within a week between the two clubs.

Green Dragons Olimpija

Olympiakos - Standard de Liège - 20/10/2009

Source : 7sur7.be

Fight erupted between Standard fans and policemen.





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Source : Mail


Flag stolen

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Source : mail (thanks to the sender)

We went with a good group to Athens.
Once there we mobbed up at Omonian square and Laplakka.
UI96,HS81 and WCF together (110men) drinking and partying, no Gate7 to be seen, only junks and transvastites!
Matchday we mobbed up, because we had to, again at omonian square where we were pushed on the subway. The train was overpelbed with people and a couple off windows where smashed.
Once we arrived at the stadion we fronted a couple greeks jokers who wanted to provoce us, but when we steemed into them the ran like hell!
Arriving at our stands there were throwing misseles at us but we returned fire at once (video on facebook).
When they scored we where hit by bottles, coins and other shit but OB DIDN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT at dured an whole hour after the game.
Nothing else happined.




CS-gas

Gremlins football thug gets Toon game ban - 22/10/2009

Source : Evening Chronicle

SPORTING the scars of his latest soccer scrap, this is the ugly face of football thuggery.

As the self-styled “General” of Newcastle’s notorious hooligan firm the Gremlins, Mark Mennim thought he was untouchable.

Kitted out in his “uniform” of casual clobber, the 48-year-old has been at the scene of some of the biggest rucks involving Tyneside-based hooligans in recent years. Often never intending to even go to games, he has travelled Europe looking for rival thugs to fight.

But now Mennim, of Chatsworth Gardens, Walker, Newcastle, has been booted out of the game after a court heard of his hooligan history.

It is the second time the former pub boss, who once had emergency surgery after being knifed in the stomach in Germany, has been hit with a football banning order.

His first came in 2004, when he was stopped from travelling to Portugal where England were in the European Championships. That expired in August 2006 and since then he has regularly been spotted with Newcastle’s most notorious yobs.

At his latest hearing, a statement from Northumbria Police football intelligence officer PC Steve Graham provided an insight into Mennim.

It told of an incident before a United FA Cup clash against Stoke City on January 16, 2008, when he was spotted at Rosie’s Bar, near St James’s Park.

The statement said: “There were a number of people fighting and as this was occurring, members of the public were emerging in a hurry from the main door, which was being held open by staff. PC Cassidy made his way over to the door and was about eight feet away when he saw Mark Mennim and two other males coming out of the main door. He saw that Mennim’s face was covered in blood which appeared to be coming from the left eye.”

As officers held Stoke and Toon thugs apart, Mennim and fellow lout Stuart Watson - also now banned - were seen outside the bar by a second PC. The statement added: “PC Baxter could see from a distance of no more than 10 feet away that both Mennim and Watson were goading the Stoke City supporters that he had been escorting and that they were shouting foul and abusive language inviting them to be involved in violence.”

On December 6 that year, United again played Stoke and in the run-up to the game, hooligans from both clubs clashed in an organised battle in Wrekenton, Gateshead.

During the course of the day, a group of 30 Toon thugs gathered in a series of bars on both sides of the Tyne, as they hatched battle plans with their rivals.

Mennim was first seen at the Bewick House, Newcastle, at around 1pm, before later being spotted at the Belle Vue, Durham Road, Gateshead, at around 2.40pm. Shortly after 4pm, the group left in a fleet of 22 taxis and travelled to the Seven Stars, Wrekenton High Street, where two minibuses of Stoke supporters were waiting.

Mennim was pictured at the front of a mob, many with hoods and scarves covering their faces, walking towards the pub.

The statement said: “As they got closer, they became agitated and vociferous, holding their arms out wide, open handed as if beckoning the occupants of the minibus to a fight.

“They were shouting ‘come on then you ******* mugs.’ They then began to surround the minibus and became more aggressive. The occupants of the bus had in turn opened the windows and were swearing back, one was heard to shout ‘let’s ******* have it.’ One male opened the doors at the back of the van and appeared ready to leave the vehicle. Officers had to draw and strike out with batons to keep this male and others inside the minibus.

“At 4.35pm, the police incident log is updated with a request from a police officer for ‘urgent assistance’. There is then a comment reporting ‘70-80 fighting’ and then another comment reporting ‘numerous assistance calls’. One officer later described the scene as ‘carnage’, another said it was the worst violence they had seen in 17 years service.”

Mennim was also present when a gang of so-called “risk supporters” gathered after a home game with Hull in September last year for a fight near Newcastle Central Station.

He was seen outside Tilley’s Bar, on Westgate Road, with known hooligans including Darren Fryer - currently subject to two banning orders - Norman Short and Stephen Hird. One of the group tried to entice a passing stag party into fighting.

Later, the same crowd were seen around the Stephenson monument opposite the Station.

One of the mob started a row with a Hull fan and police have to step in before a brawl broke out. Mennim was present.

He was also in the thick of it when hundreds of Toon fans gathered by Central Station as a train-full of Sunderland supporters arrived for a derby game.

Footage showed him at the front of a crowd goading police dog handlers, before he retreated to the background to shake the hands of fellow thugs.

Mennim’s first ban came in 2004, when he was stopped from travelling to Portugal using emergency powers.

He was set to fly-out with Darren Brindley and Stephen Wallace but were stopped and hit with bans the following day, which were designed to expire at the end of the 2006 Germany World Cup. Brindley, who sports a three-inch scar near his right ear, was also part of the trouble in Breda, Holland, when Newcastle United played in the Uefa Cup, in October 2003.

Wallace, of Portmeads Rise, Birtley, was also spotted by Dutch police causing trouble and was also arrested in 1999 at a Newcastle United v Bradford match, where he was caught with a CS gas cannister.

Mennim did not contest the application for a three-year football banning order. It prevents him going to Toon games home and away and from being in town centres where England or Newcastle United matches are being played for 24 hours before and 12 hours after kick-off.

Football hooligan banned - 22/10/2009

Source : Buxton Advertiser

A PEAK villager has been banned from football matches for three years after a judge said his disorderly behaviour put people off going to games.
Bradwell man Richard Burns (36), who receives invalidity benefit, was a bad influence on a group of much younger Chesterfield FC supporters, according to Sgt Paul Gregory, of the police football intelligence unit.

He compiled a dossier on Burns' activities last season at Chester, Shrewsbury, Rotherham and Luton, and the Spireites' home match with Gillingham.

While police accepted he was not involved in planned or spontaneous violence, they believed his anti-social behaviour posed a risk to public order.

Caroline Clarke, for Derbyshire police, told Chesterfield magistrates he had made obscene and provocative gestures at opposing fans and chanted abuse.

Comments he had posted on an internet football forum, where he was known as "Buxton Blue", were also unsavoury.

His lawyer, Stephen Cobley, said: "Organised football hooliganism has to be tackled but he is not a member of any such group.

"I have to concede his behaviour perhaps leaves a lot to be desired but some people go to football to let off steam, and shout and swear."

Mr Cobley said Burns, who had no previous convictions, had learned his lesson and moderated his behaviour following warnings from police.

He opposed the application for a football banning order but the order was granted for the minimum term of three years by District Judge John Friel.

Burns, of Elliott Avenue, Bradwell, was also ordered to pay police court costs of £3,000.

Mr Friel said he had watched police video recordings of Burns' behaviour at games and clips from the Youtube website.

"He associates with youngsters, some of whom regard him as their leader. Unfortunately, he leads them into behaviour that is unacceptable.

"By that I mean the goading of opposing supporters, provocation by use of crude gestures and obscene lyrics, and raucous behaviour on a public tram," said Mr Friel.

He said Burns had stated on a football message board that his group would never run away from a fight.

"In his defence he accepts he is ashamed and embarrassed by some of his behaviour but I'm not convinced he has learned his lesson. His conduct continued in the same vein despite warnings.

"He believes the chanting of obscenities is essential to create an atmosphere at football matches. There are plenty of people who would like to go to football matches but don't because of this type of behaviour."

Ajax Amsterdam - Dinamo Zagreb - 22/10/2009

Source : The Canadian Press + index.hr

Police arrest dozens of hooligans before Europa League match between Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb.

Police say they have arrested dozens of football hooligans in Amsterdam after fighting broke out in the city's red light district ahead of a Europa League match between Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb.

Amsterdam Police spokesman Nabil Ou-Aissa says most of the hooligans arrested are Ajax supporters and they were detained for public order offences. He could not give the exact number of people detained.

About 300 police were in the area Thursday and charged into groups of fans to keep them apart. Ou-Aissa says the situation is not yet under control.



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Source : DutchNews.nl

Ajax, Zagreb fans clash, dozens arrested

Police arrested dozens of football supporters in central Amsterdam on Thursday night following clashes between Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb supporters.

News agency ANP says 164 supporters had been held by 21.30. The Telegraaf said 34 arrests had been made and 130 Zagreb fans without tickets were also picked up.

Ajax won the Europa League tie 2-1.

In particular, there was trouble in the red light district and around the Rembrandtplein square, a popular entertainment area.

The city council had already warned there may be problems between the two groups of supporters and had taken extra steps to beef up security.

One police officer received a leg injury when hit by a police car during clashes on the Damrak.

Most of the troublemakers have been released but some 25 face charges, the Parool reports.











Video :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh1ya7-MBsE

http://www.net.hr/sport/page/2009/10/22/0502006.html

Football ground ban for Barrow AFC fan - 23/10/2009

Source : NW Evening Mail

A BARROW AFC fan has become the fifth supporter to be banned from every football ground in England and Wales.

Stuart Williams, 34, was yesterday given the three-year banning order.

Furness Magistrates also banned him from the area surrounding Barrow’s Holker Street ground on match days.

The court heard yesterday that Williams was arrested on October 3 this year – the day Barrow played Oxford United in a home Blue Square Premier league match.

Mr Andrew Dodd, prosecuting, told the court that police had seen Williams gesturing to Oxford fans walking towards the ground before kick-off.

Police intervened, warned Williams to stop, and told him not to go to a pub, as Williams had told police he intended.

Mr Dodd added that officers were later called to step up patrols outside the Furness Railway pub in Abbey Road where there was a heated situation involving 25 Oxford fans and 20 Barrow fans.

The situation was diffused and shortly after, in nearby Hartington Street, Williams was seen to cross the road and approach a group of Oxford supporters.

Mr Dodd told the court: “He walked up to them with both arms raised, chest puffed out and appeared as if he wanted to square up.

“He leaned forward with his head in an aggressive manner and the Oxford fan was seen to punch him (Williams) once to the chin.

“Williams then walked away and was detained by police and told them he was assaulted.

“He did seem to be intoxicated. The Oxford fan was also arrested.”

Miss Karen Templeton, defending, told the court that Williams had mistaken the away fans for Barrow fans.

She said: “He says it was a genuine mistake because when he approached these Oxford fans he actually thought they were Barrow fans.

“He tells me these days fans don’t tend to wear shirts or scarves and there is no way to identify them.

“He pleads guilty because in the circumstances he perhaps should have made far more inquiries about what he was doing.

“But he is adamant he did not go looking for a fight.”

Williams, of Keith Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment.

Magistrates fined Williams £360, £25 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, and accepted the prosecution’s request for the banning order.

Police ready to tackle threat of hooliganism - 23/10/2009

Source : Lincolnshire Echo

Police plans to stop football hooligans from causing trouble at Lincoln United's FA Cup tie this weekend have been drawn up.
The Whites are expecting up to 1,600 supporters at their tiny Ashby Avenue ground for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round qualifying tie with Blue Square Premier team Cambridge United.
A win for Lincoln United will see them into the FA Cup first round proper for the first time since 1997, although previous games of this level have been away from home.
The cup tie was moved back 24 hours to avoid a clash with Lincoln City's home League Two fixture with Torquay United and a number of Imps fans are expected to watch their city neighbours in action.
Lincoln United chairman Chris Geeson said: "The whole reason for moving the match day was so Lincoln City supporters could come to the game as well and I think they appreciate that."
Lincolnshire Police say past history of violence between Imps and Cambridge United hooligans is why they will have a presence in and around Ashby Avenue, in the Hartsholme area of Lincoln, on Sunday.
Trouble at another non-league game held at the ground between Retford United and FC United of Manchester in August has also put police on alert.
"The fans will be separated and there is going to be a cordon in place but I don't think there is going to be any nonsense," said Mr Geeson
Football intelligence officer PC Andy Pearson said he was confident there would be no trouble but precautions were in place.
"The game is being policed with assistance from spotters from Cambridgeshire Police," he said.
"There will be a police presence but we are hoping it passes without incident. We are policing it because there is history between Lincoln City and Cambridge United fans but we don't think any issues will be caused. We are hoping it will be a peaceful day."

PSV Eindhoven - FC Copenhagen - 22/10/2009

Source : spox.com + Reuters

Eleven fans were arrested.


FCK fans

Police on trains for derby clash - 23/10/2009

Source : expressandstar.com

Undercover police will be on trains and trams between Birmingham and the Black Country tomorrow to deal with any violence during the clash between Wolves and Villa.

Officers will be on alert ahead of the first league meeting between the two Midlands rivals in more than five years at Molineux.

British Transport Police has announced additional manpower will be drafted in across the area for the match, which kicks off at 12.45pm and will be screened live on television.

More than 2,700 Villa fans will be descending on Wolverhampton from across the region after all the visitors’ £38 tickets sold out, with many of those expected to use the Midland Metro or catch trains into the city.

Chief Inspector Kevin Marshall, from the Wales and Western region of the BTP, said they would devote “considerable resources” to ensuring the safe and orderly movements of football fans on the rail network.

“We will have additional officers on duty across the area as a reassuring presence, but also teams of covert officers to gather intelligence and point out offenders to uniform officers,” he said.

“Any rogue elements will be dealt with swiftly and anyone who seeks to engage in disorder will be prosecuted.

“If the incident is football-related, BTP will actively seek to take out Football Banning Orders out against any offenders.”

Police on the alert for Marseille-PSG tie - 23/10/2009

Source : Reuters

Marseille police are on the alert before the arrival of around 2,000 Paris St Germain fans for Sunday's game between the Ligue 1 arch rivals.

PSG said in a statement that 1,200 people would travel aboard buses chartered by the club but 800 would be making their own way to Marseille.

Both clubs admitted there were some concerns that hardline PSG fans could make the journey just to fight Marseille supporters and not even go to the game.

Unfortunately, violence has been a persistent feature of 'Le Classique'. This decade opened with an 18-year-old Marseille supporter being paralysed for life after been hit by a seat thrown at the Parc des Princes. Every derby meeting has been accompanied by a huge security operation though incidents continue to occur, as in 2004, when the bus transporting Marseille to the Paris stadium was ambushed by home supporters armed with, among other objects, petanque balls – which are made of metal.

CSKA Moscow - Manchester United - 21/10/2009

Source : red-army.ru

Real Madrid - AC Milan - 21/10/2009

Source : Mail

Celtic - Hamburger SV - 22/10/2009

Source : hln.be + Reuters

Hamburg Players In Sit - Down Protest After Beating Celtic

Hamburg staged a sit-down protest after their 1-0 Europa League win over Celtic on Thursday when stewards denied the players the chance to celebrate with their fans, manager Bruno Labbadia said.

"I would have wished the situation would not have happened," Labbadia told reporters.

"We had 2,500 fans with us and we were told we could not go over (to thank them). The police actually told us they would report us to UEFA and I feel that is showing disrespect.

"A fine feeling and fine touch was missing there."

Angry exchanges between Hamburg players and stewards took place when the Bundesliga side were prevented from leaving the pitch after the match.

Police moved in as several players sat down a few metres from the corner flag before eventually going towards the tunnel.

Cardiff fans will be let in to derby game at Liberty Stadium - 24/10/2009

Source : South Wales Evening Post

RUMOURS that away fans could be shut out of the South Wales derby once again have been quashed.

Fears had been raised that Cardiff fans would be banned from attending next month's Liberty Stadium clash with Swansea.

The Championship sides meet at The Liberty Stadium on November 7 — the same day as the Wales against the All Blacks rugby international.

And with the Swans so far being unable to move the game due to TV commitments, Liberty Stadium bosses and police reluctantly considered a temporary shut-out of away fans.

But Cardiff City have now received 1,800 tickets for the game.

The fixture has a volatile history and trouble has flared at the match in previous years.

During the late 1990s, away fans were shut out after rival supporters clashed on the field at Cardiff City's Ninian Park.

And in last season's Carling Cup clash Bluebirds supporters ripped up seats in The Liberty Stadium, while thugs clashed with police outside the ground.

But following talks on the issue, a decision has been made to allow Cardiff fans to attend the game.

Phil Sumbler, chairman of the Swans Supporters' Trust, said he was delighted with the move.

"Derby days are always very special and two sets of fans are what generate an atmosphere," he said.

"The opposition adds to the match and I think the atmosphere would be totally flat if Cardiff were banned. There would be deathly silence if Cardiff scored — it just wouldn't be the same.

"I don't know why the matter was debated over in the first place but I'm glad common sense has prevailed.

"If away fans were shut out, it would send out the wrong message and it would feel like the hooligans had won in a way."

A spokesman for South Wales Police said the force had never sought a ban on Cardiff fans attending the match.

"It seems it was just an internet rumour," he added.