Season 09/10 - January

Standard Liège - RSC Anderlecht - 17/01/2010

Source: Belga



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Source : mail

before the game BCS damaged one car.
After the game OB was very agressif and blocked all possible ways to meet eachother. With a small group (25) we arrived at the away stand when one of the younger ones throws a great stone threw the buswindow, Bcs steamed out with OB behind them, so we backed away quickly.
Meanwhile UI96 attacked policehorses at their localboozer; few arrests where made nothing else due the large policeforces !

SC Paderborn 07 - Fortuna Düsseldorf - 15/01/2010

Source : derwesten.de

Several troubles occured during the trip of the 800 Fortuna supporters, who made the road by train who finally arrived with 30 minutes of delay due to these supporters who made some damages inside it.

Then, supporters smashed windows of the busses used to reach the stadium and policemen were pelted with flares.
Three supporters were arrested.
A total of 4000 Fortuna fans made the trip.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

NEC Nijmegen - Vitesse Arnhem - 17/01/2010

Source: https://www.youtube.com

Kavala - Olympiakos - 17/01/2010

Source : ekathimerini.com + tanea.gr + contra.gr + sport24.gr

Supporters clashed with police before the match, as well as repeated scuffles during the game, as fans of both sides clashed with each other and with authorities. It was not clear whether there were any injuries or arrests.



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Before the start of Kavala's game against Olympiakos, visiting supporters attacked Kavala fans with broken chairs and other items, while the few policemen present were unable to stop them.

More than 7,000 Olympiakos fans attended the match.

Atromitos - Larissa - 17/01/2010

Source: Larissa website

Swindon Town - Gillingham FC - 16/01/2010

Source : Swindon Advertiser

Away fans arrested at County Ground clash

TWO football fans were arrested during Swindon Town’s game against Gillingham on Saturday.

One supporter was alleged to have thrown a missile into the Town fans from the Gillingham end of the County Ground, police said.

The other Gillingham fan was arrested for being drunk on entry to the game before 3pm, said PC Jim Neighbour, a Swindon Police football liaison officer.

“There is a history between these two teams which goes back years,” said PC Neighbour. “I don’t think having an earlier kick-off would have made any difference. The game was policed appropriately.

“There was no evidence of excess drinking before the game in the town. The Gillingham fans also arrived in Swindon quite late on.”

Previous games between the sides have kicked off at 1pm.

The two men, both in their early 20s, are set to appear at Swindon Magistrates Court. The fan who threw the missile could face a football banning order.

Swindon Town won the match 3-1.

In January 2006 Town fans were held at Gillingham’s Priestfield stadium after a game in an attempt to calm trouble. Rocks and glass beer bottles were said to have been hurled across the stands.

Tennis : Australian Open marred by hooliganism again - 18/01/2010

Source : Times Online

Hooligans again marred the Australian Open on Monday with eleven people thrown out of Melbourne Park for unruly behaviour and another group banned from entering.

A group of supporters were ejected from court six after standing on chairs and shouting during Croat Ivo Karlovic's match against Czech Radek Stepanek.

Security guards marched the troublemakers from the grounds with the help of police as one fan was found to be carrying a flare.

They were banned for the duration of the tournament and two were issued with on-the-spot fines, one for disrupting play and the other for possessing a flare, but no charges were laid.

Earlier in the day, a large group of chanting Croats lit flares and made offensive and threatening gestures as they headed enmasse to the tournament. The Herald Sun newspaper said one of its photographers was spat on and slapped as he photographed the group.

Victoria state police said eight of the group were refused entry. However, Superintendent Jock Menzel denied security had failed after flares were smuggled in.

"Security processes and procedures are very tight, you must understand people are innovative and they will go to great lengths to smuggle contraband into the particular venue, it does happen quite frequently," he said.

"These 11 people were disruptive, they were standing on seats and they were causing problems for the other spectators who were there to watch the game.

"Tennis Australia and Victoria Police, we won't tolerate poor behaviour and we've demonstrated that. We're here to set a standard. Our mission is to make sure the event occurs in a happy and safe way and that people are safe, and we're going to make sure that occurs."

Racial tensions and trouble have marred the Australian Open in recent years. Some of the worst scenes were on the opening day of the 2007 tournament when Serbian and Croatian fans, wearing the national colours of the bitter Balkan rivals, attacked each other with flagpoles, bottles and boots.

Then in 2008, police used pepper spray to subdue rowdy elements of the crowd watching a match between Konstantinos Economidis of Greece and Chile's Fernando Gonzales.

There was more trouble last year with several people currently facing court over a fight between Serbian and Bosnian fans. Since then, police numbers have been boosted and more CCTV cameras installed with officials last week saying they were confident there would be no repetition of the ugly scenes.



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Source : Australia.TO

Hooligan fans ejected from the tennis today to be banned

Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding has called for hooligan fans ejected from the tennis today to be banned from all major sporting events for the next three years.

“These people are just a bunch of idiots who deserve to have the full weight of the law thrown at them,” Senator Fielding said.

“Families are now scared to take their kids to the tennis following the disgraceful incident.

“People have the right to go to these events without having to put up with this kind of trash.

“This is an international event which is has now become a major embarrassment for Melbourne because of a few rotten eggs.

“These people need to be banned from all major sporting events or thrown in jail.

“Fining people is just a slap on the wrist for these people who obviously have no respect for others or the harm they may to do Melbourne’s international reputation.

“The Australia Open is a fantastic event and we don’t need a bunch of hooligans wreaking it for everyone else.”




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Source: http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=01&dd=18&nav_id=64577

11 hooligans barred from Australian Open

A group of 11 people has been thrown out from Melbourne Park for disrupting Croat’s Ivo Karlović’s match against Czech Radek Stepanek.

Two of them were also found carrying flares, reports said.

The group were ejected from the stands after standing on chairs, shouting and harassing other spectators of the match, Times Online reported.

They were banned for the duration of the tournament and two were issued with on-the-spot fines, one for disrupting play and the other for possessing a flare, but no charges were laid.

Earlier in the day, a large group of chanting Croats lit flares and made offensive and threatening gestures as they headed to the tournament. Police said eight people were refused entry.

Police, however, denies that security failed after flares were smuggled to the stands.

Some of the worst scenes were on the opening day of the 2007 tournament when Serbian and Croatian fans, wearing the national colors, attacked each other with flagpoles, bottles and boots.

In 2008, police used pepper spray to subdue rowdy crowd watching a match between Konstantinos Economidis of Greece and Chile's Fernando Gonzales.

Last year there was a fight between Bosnian and Serbian fans. Since then the police has stepped up the security with more surveillance cameras.

Pas Giannina - Aris Saloniki - 17/01/2010

Source: contra.gr + sport24.gr

In the 58th minute, Aris fans invaded the field (15-minute interruption).

Hooligans in 'disgraceful' mass brawl - 18/01/2010

Source : Hull Daily Mail

A gang of hooligans face jail after starting a mass brawl with a notorious Hull criminal and his friends.

They had been watching Hull City play Chelsea in the Hull Cheese pub, in Paragon Street, city centre, when they recognised Derek George.

The 40-year-old was in there celebrating his son Ben's 18th birthday.

Derek George, from east Hull, is well known throughout the city for his criminal background, which includes fraud, burglary and handling stolen goods.

He was previously ordered to pay back more than £250,000 of his ill-gotten gains, which included a Ferrari, speedboat and motorbike.

When the gang, none of which had previously met Derek George but recognised his face, realised it was him one of them was heard to shout "there's George round there, let's have him. Come on. We're going to do him".

One of the gang, football thug Ryan Taylor, 25, instigated the violence.

He approached Derek George and his son, who were with a small group of other friends.

Taylor was friendly to begin, shaking Derek George's hand, but then goaded the group into a confrontation.

When Derek George and his group followed Taylor to the other side of the pub, they were met by his large gang of hooligan friends.

Following heated verbal exchanges, Taylor punched Derek George in the face and a mass brawl broke out.

Chairs, drinks trays and glasses were all thrown during the violent clashes.

At one point, Derek George and his friends picked up bar stools and tables and threw them at the gang, forcing them out of the pub.

As the violence spilled out onto the street, Taylor and two other members of the gang - Joseph Ham, 18, and Jamie Elton, 20 - targeted Derek George.

Ham punched him in the head, knocking him out, and the other two continued to kick him as he laid on the floor.

Derek George's son Ben then assaulted three members of the gang as he tried to protect his father.

The violence only stopped when the police arrived at the scene.

Derek George was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, suffering bruising and swelling to his face.

The whole incident was recorded on CCTV in the pub and outside.

Seven members of the gang have pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to violent disorder.

Ben George has pleaded guilty to the same charge. His father has not been charged with any offence related to the incident.

His barrister John Thackray told the court: "He was with his dad, Derek George, celebrating his birthday and was not with the group of men looking for trouble.

"They were relaxing keeping themselves to themselves. The other defendants came into that pub with one agenda and that was to cause trouble.

"Ben George accepts getting involved and that it was a disgraceful incident.

"The most sickening and brutal part was the kick to the head and body of Derek George, who was on the floor defenceless and kicked at least four times."

Taylor's barrister Chris Dunn said: "He was aware of Derek George's reputation and saw he was armed and the standoff turned into what we see.

"He accepts it was an ugly incident."

Recorder Henry Prosser said he will sentence the group on Friday.

He said: "I will adjourn sentence because I need time to weigh up one sentence against another."

The Mail was unable to contact Derek George for his reaction.

Video : http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Football-hooligans-disgraceful-mass-brawl/article-1719381-detail/article.html

Argentine: Racing Cordoba - Talleres de Cordoba - 17/01/2010

Source: http://www.diaadia.com.ar/?q=content/las-1730-racing-y-talleres-se-miden-en-el-chateau-0&pageimg=3

Brawl broke out at the end of the game, ended with several people injured and 60 others arrested.

BC Olympiacos - BC Partizan - 13/01/2010

Olympiacos fans, known for their friendship with Delije of Red Star Belgrade, showed this banner during the Euroleague match against Partizan - "Stop B92"

France: SCO Angers - En Avant Guingamp - 16/01/2010

Source: mail (thanks to the sender) - EAG

About thirty minutes before kick-off, a good off occured behing the local main stand, opposing 19 Guingamp lads (NSG) to a local mob of about 40.
Guingamp immediately charged them and locals retreated.
A few bottles and belts on both sides.
Then, skirmishes occured, opposing police and stewards to away supporters.
No one arrested.

EAG mob


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

Source : Mail (thanks to the sender) - Angers

Just to keep the truth alive: about 30 locals and as said, Guingamp lads charged us but we didn't retreated all the time as they said.
Our mob splitted up because cops arrived.
No weapons on our side.

Suspects charged with Taton murder - 19/01/2010

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- The High Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade has pressed charges against 15 persons suspected involvement in the murder of French national Brice Taton.

The French football fan was beaten in downtown Belgrade in mid-September, and later died in hospital of his injuries.

The announcement today came from the Republican Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade.

The persons charged were named as Đorđe Prelić, Ljubomir Marković, Ivan Grković, Dejan Puzigaca, Jovan Karbić, Dragan Tomašović, Milan Vujović, Branimic Četnik, Vladan Suvajac, Stefan Veličković, Milan Tarlać, Bojan Matijević, Stepa Petrović and Dejan Stanković.

Except for Prelić and Puzigaca, who are on the run, the rest of the suspects are in custody.

The indictment states that the suspects were accomplices in the aggravated first-degree murder, “acted recklessly and violently and killed French citizen Taton Sinclair Peter Brice”.

Vladimir Bošković is charged with helping the criminal after the act, and he is the only one released pending trial.

The Republic Public Prosecutor's Office announced a “fierce fight against hooliganism and all other forms of violence”.

Manchester City - Manchester United - Cup - 19/01/2010

Source : BBC + Reuters

Arrests after Manchester's derby match

Police have arrested 18 people after bottles were thrown at officers following the Manchester derby match.

The majority of them were held on suspicion of public order offences after "sporadic violence", Greater Manchester Police said.

The televised game saw Manchester City win 2-1 over Manchester United.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, said the "vast majority" of fans at the City of Manchester stadium were well behaved.

Seats thrown

He said: "There were some issues with Manchester United fans turning up very late before the game which led to a number of people not being inside the ground in time for kick-off.

"We also had instances of disorder with coin throwing and seats being thrown between rival fans during the match.

"Post-match there was some sporadic violence with bottles being thrown at officers.

"My officers dealt with some challenging and potentially dangerous situations very effectively."

Greenock Morton - Celtic - Scottish Cup - 19/01/2010

Source : greenocktelegraph.co.uk

Arrests after Ton v Celtic clash

SEVERAL football supporters were arrested during Morton's cup clash with Celtic at Cappielow last night.

Three are expected to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court today following an incident after the fourth round Scottish Cup game, which Morton lost 1-0.

Police said there was a 'large-scale disturbance' in East Hamilton Street at the junction with Sinclair Street as fans were leaving.

During the game, a smoke flare was set off among Celtic supporters behind the Morton goal.

Teen hooligan banned from football grounds - 20/01/2010

Source : gazette-news.co.uk

A TEENAGE football hooligan has been banned for three years from every football ground in England and Wales.

A football banning order was granted against James Reilly, 17, at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The bench heard Reilly, of Albion Grove, Colchester, was part of the self-styled Colchester Youth Squad, a group of fans who have caused problems at Colchester United matches. Ian Elkins, prosecuting for British Transport Police, said the group had been identified as a risk.

He also said Reilly had been identified as taking part in trouble at seven home and away games between March 2008 and October last year. He had twice been thrown out of Colchester’s Weston Homes Community Stadium for underage drinking, abused passers-by at Ipswich railway station and made throat-slitting gestures towards rival fans.

In November 2008, he was on a coach hired by the hooligan group which was turned away as it headed to the match against Southend, where police intelligence indicated a fight had been organised.

Mr Elkins said: “His actions have not directly resulted in violence, but he has made threats and goaded other sets of fans in a way that created the potential for trouble to erupt.”

Reilly was not in court to fight the order, which he has not contested.

Raphael Piggott, representing Reilly, said he was “not among the leadership” of the group.

As well as being banned from football grounds in England and Wales, Reilly cannot enter any town where Colchester United are playing.

He may also have to surrender his passport when the U’s or England are involved in games abroad.

Football fan loses extradition battle - 20/01/2010

Source : AFP

An England football fan lost a court battle against extradition to Portugal yesterday over his role in a riot during the Euro 2004 tournament there.

But a High Court judge said Garry Mann was the victim "of what appears to be a serious injustice", and voiced hope that he would get further help from the European Court of Human Rights, or British or Portuguese authorities.

Mann, 51, claimed that he did not have a fair trial in Portugal over his alleged role in football-related violence in the Algarve resort of Albufeira in June 2004.

The Briton was allowed to leave Portugal in June 2004 despite the legal action against him, but a European arrest warrant was issued against him in October 2008, and he was arrested in Britain in March 2009.

The High Court in London agreed that Mann had been deprived of proper legal assistance, but said it was powerless to act because it had no jurisdiction in the case.

In a ruling it voiced hope that the European court, or British or Portuguese authorities, "can strive to achieve some measure of justice for Mr Mann, a justice of which he has been so signally deprived".

The judge gave Mann's legal team two weeks to appeal to the European court or to take further action in the English courts.

Mann lamented that the High Court could not do more. "I am bitterly disappointed with today's decision," he said.

"My sovereign right to justice has been denied me, basically, as the judge said, because of the rigid framework and the statutory powers of the Extradition Act which Parliament implemented and has refused to review.

"It is nearly six years on -- six years of stress my family could have been spared. This is an unjust persecution that could have been resolved if I could have got my appeal in on time."

Police confiscated darts and golf balls before Manchester derby - 21/01/2010

Source : The Guardian

• Rigorous checks foiled smuggling of potential weapons
• Eighteen arrests made after trouble at Eastlands

Police believe they may have saved a player from being seriously injured after darts and golf balls were confiscated from Manchester United supporters before their club's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Manchester City on Tuesday.

A number of missiles were thrown on to the pitch during the game but officers from Greater Manchester police's ­football unit believe the situation could have been worse had security officials not adopted stringent checks at the turnstiles.

Information had reached the police that United supporters planned to smuggle red flares into the ground, in order to ­interrupt a pre-match routine at Eastlands in which the lights are turned off and a giant image of a blue moon is flashed into the stadium. Two flares were lit but several ­others were discovered during rigorous body checks that stopped a large number of fans ­getting into the stadium before kick-off. More seriously, several supporters were caught trying to smuggle darts, golf balls and other weapons into the ground.

Eighteen people were arrested – six home supporters, 11 United fans and one neutral – before, during and after a 2-1 win for City, courtesy of two goals from Carlos Tevez.

There were other flashpoints during the match, including the United left-back, Patrice Evra, being struck by a cigarette lighter as he went to take a throw-in. The Football Association's disciplinary department intends to write to City to see if they are confident of catching whoever was responsible and to determine whether there was anything more that could have been done to prevent the incident.

Blackpool FC - Sheffield Wednesday - 19/01/2010

Source : Blackpool Gazette

Safety probe after fan invades pitch

BLACKPOOL FC will review its security procedures after a fan got on to the pitch and appeared to confront a referee.

The incident took place following the final whistle of Tuesday night's clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Bloomfield Road.

Police said the man was alleged to have pushed official Andy Hall before being pulled away by Seasiders defender Ian Evatt.

He was escorted from the pitch by stewards.

The club will now look at safety arrangements to ensure players and officials are protected.

Secretary Matt Williams said: "We will also be reviewing our stewarding in that area because we were concerned he managed to get as far as he did without being stopped.

"But that will be something we will discuss with the police and the safety advisory committee when we meet before the weekend.

"We won't tolerate anything like that."

The 8,000 fans in the Bloomfield Road stadium looked on as a man raced on to the pitch as the final whistle blew on Pool's 2 - 1 defeat.

He ran over to the referee and is believed to have pushed him.

A Blackpool Police spokesman added: "I can confirm a Blackpool fan ran on to the pitch as the final whistle was blown and appeared to push the referee.

"A man was arrested on suspicion of common assault and battery and a public order offence."

- A 19-year-old man has been charged with going on to a playing area at a football match, assault by beating and being drunk in a sports ground.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court today.

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Fan arrested after ref incident

A BLACKPOOL FC fan ran on to the pitch at the end of the Sheffield Wednesday clash and confronted the referee.

The man is alleged to have pushed official Andy Hall before being pulled away by Seasiders defender Ian Evatt.

He was escorted off by stewards before being arrested – and faces a ban from Bloomfield Road.

Club secretary Matt Williams has confirmed that the club are also investigating the incident.

"An individual has been arrested and he will charged with unlawful encroachment onto the playing area because it is a criminal offence to go onto the pitch.

"He is also being charged with assault and faces get a club ban."

The incident came at the end The Seasiders' 2-1 defeat.

Aston Villa - Blackburn Rovers - League Cup‎ - 20/01/2010

Source : Reuters

Swansea City: Fans banned after derby - 22/01/2010

Source : thisissouthwales.co.uk

TWO Swansea City fans have been slapped with football banning orders for their part in the mass disturbances that followed last year's Cardiff derby game.

They have been banned from going to any football games for the next three years, and must stay a mile away from the Liberty Stadium when the Swans play.

They also cannot travel to any town or city where the Swans are playing, and can be ordered by police to hand-in their passports during Wales's away matches.

Jamie Phillip Edward Gronert, from Clos Alaw in Llansamlet, and Stewart John Rees, of Port Talbot Place, Ravenhill, Swansea, admitted public order offences when they appeared before Swansea magistrates. The court heard how trouble had flared around the Liberty Stadium following November's derby match against the Bluebirds.

Magistrates were told that around 100 fans had congregated outside the Railway Inn pub on Siloh Road after the final whistle. The crowd began chanting abuse, making obscene gestures and throwing missiles at police officers.

It was during this melee that Gronert — who had previously been warned for his behaviour by police — was arrested for shouting obscenities at the police.

In mitigation, Rhodri Chudleigh said his client had drunk six pints of lager prior to the incident, and that the alcohol had reacted to medication he was taking for an injured shoulder. He said the unemployed 20-year-old was a man of "clear character" and that there was no suggestion he had thrown objects at police.

As well as receiving the football ban, he was ordered to pay a total of £165 in costs and a fine.

Linda Baker, prosecuting in the case of Rees said he hadn't been at the match, but went out drinking with his brother in two pubs before attending the Railway Inn. When the game finished, the 27-year-old joined the crowd of rowdy fans outside as they chanted football songs and came head to head with police. "He was enticing a fight with police officers," said Mrs Baker.

In police interview Rees said "he was caught up in the moment" and admitted being confrontational towards officers more than once.

Mr Chudleigh in mitigation said Rees wasn't the "ringleader" and hadn't used violence in the incident.

He said he was remorseful and ashamed of his actions.

"He'd had too much to drink," said Mr Chudleigh.

In addition to the football banning order Rees was given a 12-month community order and must do 80 hours' unpaid work and pay £85 costs.

Chief superintendent Mark Mathias said acts of disorder or violence would not be tolerated at Swans matches.

"Anyone apprehended in these circumstances can be assured that they will be dealt with in a positive and robust manner," he said.

"Our aim, along with the football club, is to ensure that both fans and families alike go along and enjoy the matches in a safe and secure environment."

Aston Villa hooligans banned from attending matches - 22/01/2010

Source : Birmingham Mail

TWO hardcore Aston Villa hooligans have been banned from attending the club’s football matches and will miss the side’s first appearance at the new Wembley Stadium.

The pair, branded by police as ring-leaders of the ‘firm’ Villa Youth, were issued with lengthy bans after years of surveillance.

Daniel Connolly, 23, of Bredon Court, Halesowen, failed to turn up at Solihull Magistrates’ Court but was given a four-year banning order in his absence. Robert Griffin, 21, of Faircroft Road, Castle Bromwich, received a three-year ban.

West Midlands Police have been cracking down on football violence by using civil powers to ban yobs from attending games.

The court heard how the duo, who were on the police’s ‘at risk supporters’ list, would travel among large numbers to some games without tickets.

Footage of the pair on a trip to Fulham last May was also shown to the court, as was disruption before a game between Villa and Leicester in 2006.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury described last year’s scenes on London’s Underground as “utterly disgraceful”.

He said: “I’m satisfied to believe that by making this order it will help to prevent any violence or disruption at football games.”

Judge Cadbury said that the decision to ban unemployed Griffin was justified because of a collection of police evidence as well as his previous convictions.

The evidence included occasions when officers saw him at away games without a matchday ticket while in the company of other ‘at risk supporters’.

Recently-introduced civil powers allow police to show a court information gathered during intelligence operations about a fan to persuade magistrates that a ban is necessary.

Speaking after the hearing, PC David Mapp said he was delighted with the result.

He said: “We are pleased that the two main ring-leaders from the Villa Youth have been banned.

“They have been on the scene for about three years organising football violence.

“Hopefully this will send out the message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.” Griffin and Connolly will now miss Villa’s Carling Cup Final with either Manchester City or Manchester United on February 28.

But Griffin said: “We are not thugs.

“We have all got families, and we are just having a drink with our friends.”

The pair were ordered to pay £500 each to cover costs.

The new ban stops them from entering Birmingham city centre three hours before or after a Villa home match.

They are also banned from using trains when Villa are playing away from home and banned from entering the relevant town centre.

Midlands TUC Condemns English Defence League Presence In Stoke-on-Trent - 23/01/2010

Source : Pits n Pots

The Midlands TUC today (Saturday) issued a statement condemning the English Defence League for holding a rally in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.

Cheryl Pidgeon, Regional Secretary of the Midlands TUC said, 'We know that this group includes football hooligans and racist thugs who are intent on causing trouble. Their claim to be protesting against radical Islam has been shown to be a fraud, as their behaviour in other cities has shown, where they quickly descend into exposing their hate for all Muslims. They have deliberately chosen to come to Stoke-on-Trent on the day that a local football match takes place, with Macclesfield visiting Port Vale. Only the television schedule has prevented the EDL presence clashing with the FA Cup match between Stoke City and Arsenal as the game has been moved to Sunday.'

Cheryl went on to say, 'the timing is designed to cause maximum disruption to the people of Stoke-on-Trent and will place severe demands on police resources today. The Midlands TUC rejects the EDL message of hate, and would urge the people of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to do the same, leaving the EDL in no doubt that their shameful politics is not welcome in this fine city.'

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Source : libcom.org + BBC News

The English Defence League is holding a demo in Stoke today which, whilst inevitably causing disruption, will get support from the Stoke football firm the Naughty 40 and associated hooligans, unaffiliated youths looking for trouble and BNP supporters in one of their key areas.








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Source : Sky News Online

Seventeen Arrested At Right Wing Protest

Seventeen people were arrested and at least four police officers were injured after a protest against Islamic extremism turned violent.

Riot police used shields and batons after 300 members of the right-wing English Defence League gathered in Stoke for a march.

It is the latest in a series of protests which have turned ugly in towns and cities across the UK.

There were scuffles with police as EDL members tried to break a cordon preventing them from clashing with members of anti-fascist groups.

Staffordshire Police said the people arrested were aged between 17 and 49 and all "linked" to the EDL demonstration.

They were held on suspicion of committing a series of public order offences, violent disorder as well as assaulting a police officer.

One officer had to be taken to hospital with an arm wound, while another was assaulted and needed to be checked over by doctors.

The other two returned to duty immediately.

A member of the public was treated by paramedics after being injured during the demonstration.

A number of vehicles were also damaged in the melee.

Police said the city was back to normal, but officers were still out and about to reassure members of the public.

Superintendent Dave Mellor said: "The vast majority of demonstrators expressed their views peacefully.

"However, the actions and behaviour of a small minority of protesters have been totally unacceptable and deplorable.

"Our officers will now be reviewing CCTV, video and other evidence gathered to pursue those identified committing offences to put them before the courts."

The EDL has previously held marches in places like Birmingham and Leeds, also resulting in disorder and arrests.

Hull Cheese brawlers given total five-and-a-half years - 23/01/2010

Source : Hull Daily Mail

Five men have been jailed for their part in a mass brawl, which resulted in a notorious Hull criminal getting knocked unconscious.

The violence ended with a notorious Hull criminal getting knocked unconscious and taken to hospital.

Now, five men have been jailed for a total of five-and -a-half years for their part in the brawl.

Three others have been given suspended prison sentences.

Recorder Henry Prosser, sitting at Hull Crown Court, said the violence must have been "frightening and terrifying" for anyone looking on.

One group had been watching Hull City play Chelsea last February and went to the Hull Cheese public house, in Paragon Street, city centre, to carry on drinking after the game.

They then started a mass brawl in the bar after spotting criminal Derek George, who was in the pub celebrating his son's 18th birthday with some friends.

The two groups began fighting with each other, throwing bar chairs and tables.

Eight men were arrested, including Derek George's son Ben.

They have all pleaded guilty to violent disorder and been sentenced.

Recorder Prosser said: "It occurred after the football match between Hull City and Chelsea, which you had been watching at a pub in the city centre whilst consuming beer.

"It is quite clear from what I have seen and heard that after an exchange of words, both groups were willing to fight with no regard for the staff and other customers at that pub.

"You were fighting each other inside and outside the pub, where members of the public had the misfortune to be frightened and disgusted by what they saw.

"Glasses, chairs, drink trays and other missiles were thrown as well as punches.

"It must have been absolutely terrifying for other members of the public, who had the misfortune to be in the area at the same time.

"The most serious violence occurred when Derek George was knocked to the ground and three of you set about kicking him as he lay defenceless on the ground.

"He lost consciousness and suffered unpleasant injuries to his face."

When the gang of hooligans saw George in the pub they were heard to shout: "There's George round there, let's have him. Come on, we're going to do him".

George has convictions for fraud and handling stolen goods.

Prolific football thug Ryan Taylor, 25, started the violence after initially going up to George and shaking his hand.

He later punched George in the face and both parties began throwing punches, drinks and furniture at each other.

At one point, George and his friends picked up bar stools and tables and threw them at the group, forcing them out of the bar.

As the violence spilled out on to the street Taylor, Joseph Ham, 18, and Jamie Elton, 20, targeted George.

Ham punched him in the head, knocking him unconscious, and the other two continued to kick him as he laid on the floor.

George's son Ben then assaulted Dale Crooks, Ham and Taylor to protect his father.

The violence only stopped due to the arrival of the police.

Derek George was knocked unconscious and was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, suffering bruising and swelling to his face.

The whole incident was recorded on CCTV in the bar and city centre.

Recorder Prosser said: "There are two elements which make this offending serious.

"First of all, the violence. It was a serious breach of public order which occurred when a group of young men were fighting.

"Secondly, many of you have previous convictions for public order offences or offences of violence.

"It is clear to me that this violent disorder needs to be marked with a custodial sentence."

Ryan Taylor, 25, of Howdale Road, east Hull, and Jamie Elton, 20, of Hastings Road, Thorngumbald, were jailed for 18 months.

Joseph Ham, 18, of Cottage Holdings, Dunswell, was sentenced to 14 months detention.

Dale Crooks, 20, of Newcomen Street, east Hull, was locked up for 16 months.

Darren Horne, 24, of Dent Road, Cottingham, and Christoher Stubbs, 22, of Anlaby High Road, west Hull, were given 39 week prison sentences, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

The judge deferred sentencing Lee Watkin, 19, of Laburnum Drive, Beverley, for six months.

Ben George, 18, of Faversham Avenue, Anlaby, was sent to a young offenders institute for 19 months for violent disorder and aggravated vehicle taking, which was not connected to the brawl.

Exeter City - Leeds United - 17/01/2010

Source : thisisexeter.co.uk

FANS had to be helped out of the crowd after spectators surged into the away end at St James’s Park as Exeter City’s clash with Leeds United kicked off.

Police, stewards and St John Ambulance volunteers assisted a number of Leeds fans over the advertising hoardings and onto the edge of the pitch during the opening minutes of Saturday’s match.

Exeter City have said the incident was caused by the late arrival of some away fans.

The club said that once inside the enclosure they did not move along to make way for others because they were watching the match.

Frances Farley, operations director at the club, said: “Some of the fans did arrive quite late. All of them were very anxious to get in and see the match.

“All the tickets were pre-sold to them and we were well within the capacity for the away end.

“What happened was there was a surge as they tried to come through the turnstile which caused congestion at one end.

“PA announcements went out to ask people to move forward, but as the football was being played they were reluctant to move.

“The police and stewards moved quickly to make sure there was no crushing and were happy to take people over the barriers.

“We managed to get everyone accommodated in the spare seats.”

Mrs Farley said there were no injuries as a result of the incident but that one man was treated for an asthma attack. The club doctor and St John Ambulance were present.

She said City had dealt with a similar number of away fans at the Tottenham friendly in July and at previous fixtures including matches against Morecambe and Torquay.

Mrs Farley said she did not expect any official complaints to be made and said there were no problems with the PA announcements.

Leeds fans have been commenting about the incident on internet forums.

One fan said: “I got in five minutes into the game and it was horrible.

“People were screaming out for help. I walked on the pitch straight to our end and pulled a few out and sent them to the corner to stand. It could quite easily have been a disaster.”

Another said: “I was there and there were a few factors contributing to this. Firstly, the only turnstiles allowing access were at one end, to our right as we faced the pitch.

“This meant that those fans arriving earliest wanting the best views in the centre were making the end to our left inaccessible.

“Also, in my opinion, terraces such as this should have entrances at both ends so that the early fans can head to the centre, then the later arrivals fill towards both ends.”

Inspector Andy Webber, from Devon and Cornwall police, said he was not aware of any complaints about policing at the game.

Some fans said police delayed buses leaving the Moto Services in Exeter until close to kick-off.

Inspector Tom Cunningham, who was in charge of getting the coaches to the ground, said some did not arrive on time.

“At first only two coaches turned up,” he said. “We took them in and then a bit later we had another six or seven coaches. We went back and escorted them to the ground.”

The near-capacity crowd of 8,549 for the Grecians’ 2-0 victory on Saturday delivered a welcome cash boost for the club, despite increased policing costs. The Flybe hospitality suite was fully booked and extra catering was laid on for corporate guests at the Thistle and Southgate hotels.