Season 09/10 - May

French government gets tough on football hooligans - 02/05/2010

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/02/french-government-tough-football-hooligans

The French government's latest attempt to eradicate football hooliganism has caused quite a stir. "This is a measure that is unprecedented in French sport!" goshed Le Parisien after the national commission for the prevention of football violence this week announced the immediate "dissolution" of seven fans' groups that it accuses of fomenting much of the fighting that has become endemic in and around some Ligue 1 grounds, most notably the Parc des Princes, home of Paris Saint-Germain.

It was no surprise that five of the seven disbanded "supporters' associations" were of PSG fans (the other two were from Lyon and Nice), since the most ferocious confrontations in recent years have been between PSG fans and ... other PSG fans. The catalyst for the commission's decision were the gory events that preceded February's PSG-Marseille match, when rival PSG fans engaged in clashes that left a 37-year-old man, Yann Lorence, dead. But the problem has been festering for years. Through weakness and wrong-headed policies, PSG has allowed its ground to become a theatre in which the social and racial tensions that afflict its city's suburbs are enflamed.

PSG took the wrong path almost from its outset. Founded in 1970 amid dreams of grandeur, the club did not immediately attract mass support.

In 1978, in a bid to foster popular fervour, the club owners dubbed one end of the stadium the 'Boulogne Kop' and offered cut-price tickets. Fans duly flocked in, but among them were many Neo-Nazis, whose presence put off many other would-be supporters, especially non-whites. Rather than root out the racists, the club tried, in the early 1990s, to attract members of ethnic minorities to the opposite end of the ground, the Auteuil stand. "That was a mistake," an unnamed former club director was quoted as admitting in France Football. "It amounted to tacit acceptance that the Boulogne was a white-only stand."

Not only was it dangerous for non-whites to venture into the Boulogne end, it also became a no-go area for law enforcers, as three riot policeman found in 1993 when they chased a pitch invader back into the stand and got battered. As the violence and racism escalated, the club again chose appeasement, attempting to co-opt the extremists in the Boulogne end by employing some of the heads of their supporters' associations as stewards. That infuriated fans at the Auteuil end, who interpreted the move as just another endorsement of racism by the French establishment.

The rivalry between the two ends of the Parc offers a caricature of the debate on immigration: while the Auteuil associations insist they are affirming their right to participate in public life on equal terms, the Boulogne extremists view them as unwelcome immigrants intent on usurping their club just as they want to take their women and jobs and so on. Symptomatic of this is the fact that one of the milestones on the descent into disorder was in 2003 when one of the Auteuil fan groups, the now defunct Tigris Mystic, held aloft a banner declaring "The Future Belongs to Us" – many in the Boulogne insist that was a declaration of war.

Since then the clashes have been more frequent and more brutal, and have not been confined to Paris: rumbles break out on away trips too. In 2006, for example, loons from Tigris Mystic and the Boulogne ran into each other on the way to Nantes, and the ensuing hostilities left several people seriously injured and a motorway service station in flames. Francis Graille, who was president of PSG from 2003 to 2005, claimed in France Football last month that when he announced his intention to clamp down on the supporters' associations he received death threats and, ultimately, lost the backing of his bosses, who replaced him. "The guy who died the other week [Lorence], he was killed by everyone," said Graille.

Though a PSG fan was shot dead by police in 2006 after fighting following a Uefa Cup defeat by Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lorence's death was the first time that a PSG fan has been killed by a supporter of the same club. The club reacted with uncharacteristic firmness, immediately banning all its fans from travelling to away games. A host of other measures have been introduced and there is much talk of ID cards or following "the English model" by improving surveillance and policing and hiking ticket prices. The dissolutions, however, may not achieve much other than deprive the supporters of official status – they can still go to matches and stand where they have always stood.

"It is political window dressing," one official, who asked not to be named, told the Observer. "The government just wants to be seen to be doing something."

Even so, the dissolutions drew predictably hostile reaction from the fans, many of whom demonstrated against the decision before yesterday's French Cup final between PSG and Monaco. "This is another reflection of the pervasive racism and violence that has surrounded PSG for the last 30 years," fumed Christophe Uldry, spokesman for the Supras Auteuil group, who disseminated a video to the media that purportedly proved they were merely defending themselves from attacks by Boulogne hooligans on the night Lorence was killed. "The clubs would be better served keeping the supporters' association so that they have an official relay with the fans, otherwise the stadiums will fall prey to informal gangs," warned Uldry.

Others are also opposed to dissolution – because it is not radical enough. "To put an end to the violence that almost systematically mars PSG matches now, it is not enough to dissolve such and such supporters' association," declared L'Express journalist Christopher Barbier. "PSG itself must be dissolved. An example must be set for the whole country – the club must be quashed."

Rumours are running wild. The latest one is that, whether PSG is quashed or not, a new club is going to be created in Paris to cater for all the football fans who are turned off by the violence. And the mastermind supposedly behind this new club? None other than the disgraced former president of PSG's arch-rivals, Marseille, the convicted match-fixer Bernard Tapie.

Argentina: Unión de Arroyo Seco - General Rojo - 01/05/2010

Source: http://www.notiexpress.com.ar/news.cgi?accion=vernew&id=81878

As their team was defeated and sent out of the play-off, local supporters tried to attack referees and General Rojo players.
These supporters invaded the pitch when General Rojo scored, trying to attack referees and players.
Police intervened using flash balls and protected everyone.

Traduction Underground Fans (c)

Uruguay: Atletico Uruguay - Almagro - 01/05/2010

Source: http://www.lacalle-online.com/interior.php?ID=186093

Riots occured for this important uruguyan game, opposing supporters to police forces.

Translation Underground Fans (c)

Poland: Olimpia Grudziądz - Elana Toruń - 01/05/2010

Source: http://www.adrianfoto.fora.pl

Sheffield Wednesday - Crystal Palace - 02/05/2010

Source : The Guardian

Crowd trouble mars Crystal Palace-Sheffield Wednesday drop decider

• Palace defender Clint Hill caught up in trouble
• Both clubs' fans invade pitch following 2-2 draw

Some Palace fans went on to the pitch after the full-time whistle and some Wednesday supporters ran on to confront them.

The Palace defender Clint Hill was cut off from the rest of his team and forced to make a run for the tunnel, during which some Wednesday fans appeared to be throwing punches at him.

Police struggled to control the crowds but were able to restore order eventually.



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Football Association set to investigate crowd trouble at Hillsborough

• Palace's Clint Hill says he was punched
• Police take long time to restore order

The Football Association is expected to investigate the ugly scenes at the final whistle at Hillsborough today when Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace supporters clashed on the pitch. Police took some time to restore order at the end of the game and one of the Palace players, Clint Hill, alleged he was punched as he tried to escape down the tunnel.

The trouble started when some of the visiting fans located behind the goal spilled over on to the pitch to celebrate survival with the Palace players. A number of Wednesday supporters in the adjacent north stand then confronted the Palace fans, leading to fighting on the pitch. A woman appeared to be among those attacked

Hill had managed to get cut adrift from his team-mates and when a couple of stewards tried to escort him to the dressing room, a number of the Wednesday supporters on the pitch gave chase. Several punches were thrown and Hill claimed "a good few landed", although the Palace defender did not help himself at one point when he turned to confront one of the hooligans. He eventually got to the tunnel, where police forced the Wednesday fans pursuing him to retreat as the situation threatened to get out of control." know they are frustrated but should they be throwing punches at people?" Hill said. "A good few landed and I am a big lad and can take them. It is disappointing to end like that – I was not enticing anybody, I just went and celebrated with the fans because that's where I thought the players had gone.

"There were none over there, though, and the stewards dragged me off but once one has a swing at you, everybody gets a bit brave and starts having swings at you. At one point there was maybe seven or eight on me. Somebody said that they saw a 50-year-old woman getting hurt - when they start doing that, there is no need for it. It's wrong."

Hill said he has no plans to make a complaint about the incident but he did suggest that those involved should be banned."

'The only way you can keep 30,000 people back is to put the fences back up and nobody is going to do that.'"

"I am not going to make a thing of it but if the club ban them and they get what they deserve, I am happy. You cannot go around knocking 50-odd-year-old women off the ground. If they get the punishment they deserve, fair enough."

Neither of the managers witnessed the scenes, with both having already departed down the tunnel, although Paul Hart admitted he had anticipated their might be trouble when the game finished. "When people started running on the pitch, I tried to get some of the players off," said the Palace manager. "I was going to walk towards our supporters but I thought it prudent to get in."




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Source : mirrorfootball.co.uk

Palace star slams Sheffield Wednesday fans over attack

Clint Hill claims he was attacked by Wednesday thugs when violence flared after Palace’s survival act sent the Owls down.

Hill was caught up in a pitch invasion, with both sets of fans involved in shameful scenes. The Eagles defender had to be rescued by police and stewards before riot cops restored order.

“I know they’re frustrated, but should they be throwing punches at people,” said Hill.

“A good few landed and I’m a big lad and can take them, but should they be throwing them? I wasn’t inciting anybody. I just went and celebrated with the fans because that’s where I thought the players had gone.

“There were none there, though, and the stewards dragged me off.

“Once one has a swing at you, everybody gets a bit brave and starts having swings. At one point there was maybe seven or eight on me.

“Somebody said they saw a middle-aged woman getting hurt.

“The only way you can keep 30,000 people back is to put the fences back up and nobody is going to do that. But if the club ban them and they get what they deserve, then I’ll be happy.”

Both clubs are likely to be in trouble with the FA.

Some Owls fans chased Hill to the tunnel entrance and police used batons to force them back as they tried to storm the changing rooms.

Police also had to separate Wednesday’s James O’Connor and Palace skipper Shaun Derry in the tunnel at the interval.

O’Connor confronted the former Leeds man, claiming he had elbowed him.



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Source : UKPA

Eight fans arrested after clashes

Police arrested eight football fans after trouble broke out following Sheffield Wednesday's relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship.

Supporters invaded the pitch at Hillsborough on Sunday after end of the club's crunch match against Crystal Palace and there was also disorder outside the ground.

South Yorkshire Police said the arrests were made for public order and assault and warned that more could follow as video footage taken from a helicopter was reviewed.

The last-day showdown ended 2-2 in front of a sell-out crowd of 37,121 and while the point was enough to save Palace from the drop, Wednesday were condemned to a return to Coca-Cola League One.

Police moved swiftly to separate both sets of fans who invaded the pitch after the final whistle.

Several isolated violent exchanges were snuffed out, while Palace defender Clint Hill required the protection of stewards as he raced for the safety of the players' tunnel.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Essentially, Sheffield Wednesday supporters were involved in disorder outside the ground just after the game. Eight arrests were made for public order and assault and officers are reviewing footage from the police helicopter with the view to perhaps making more arrests."

The spokesman said nobody was seriously injured during the disruption although police vehicles and nearby property were damaged.

The Football Association is expected to launch an inquiry into crowd trouble that followed the match.

Both Palace manager Paul Hart and Owls counterpart Alan Irvine claimed afterwards to have been unaware of the ugly scenes that unfolded, while Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford refused to comment.




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Source: mail (thanks to the sender)

Bulgaria : Lokomotiv Plovdiv - Litex Lovech - 02/05/2010

Source : Gong.bg


Loko fans

Luton Town - York City - Play Off - 03/05/2010

Source : BBC News + The Sun

Seven arrested as violence mars play-off at Luton Town

Seven people were arrested following trouble between fans at Luton Town's home defeat to York City.

Bedfordshire Police said the disorder appeared to start when Luton fans invaded the Kenilworth Road pitch at the end of Monday's game.

Officers were forced to bring the situation under control as "fans from both clubs were intent on causing injury to each other", police added.

A number of police officers and fans received minor injuries.

A small group of Luton fans were involved in trouble outside the ground in Dunstable Road where they took brooms and mops from a DIY shop and used them as weapons against police.

A spokesman said an investigation had started with the aim of identifying those involved in the violence.

No further details of the arrests have been released.

The Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final, which York City won 2-0 on aggregate, means Luton will play another season of non-league football.



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Source : Times Online

Luton face FA investigation after violence mars play-off

Luton Town could face FA charges after their fans pelted York City players with missiles and sent them fleeing to the stands at the end of the Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final, second leg at Kenilworth Road yesterday.

The scenes came only a day after the crowd trouble at the end of the 2-2 draw between Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace at Hillsborough that condemend Wednesday to relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship. Clint Hill, the Palace defender, was punched by a fan.

Luton lost 1-0, Chris Carruthers’s 47th-minute goal ensuring a 2-0 aggregate victory for York. However, a pitch invasion at the final whistle left York’s players needing the aid of stewards and police to escape to dressing rooms, via the away end, as missiles were thrown. Richard Brodie, the York striker, was said to have been struck by a coin.

Nick Owen, the Luton chairman, said: “We’re not going to Wembley but in many ways what’s more devastating is what happened after the game. There will be an investigation by us and no doubt by the authorities.”

Sheffield Wednesday: Hooligans will be banned - 03/05/2010

Source : UKPA

Sheffield Wednesday have said they will work closely with police in a bid to root out the fans responsible for the crowd trouble that marred Sunday's relegation decider against Crystal Palace.

The last-day showdown ended 2-2 in front of a sell-out crowd of 37,121 and while the point was enough to save Palace from the drop, Wednesday were condemned to a return to Coca-Cola League One. Police moved swiftly to separate both sets of fans who had invaded the pitch after the final whistle.

Several isolated violent exchanges were snuffed out, but Palace defender Clint Hill required the protection of stewards as he raced for the safety of the players' tunnel.

A club statement read: "Sheffield Wednesday will assist South Yorkshire Police wherever possible with regard to investigations into disorder surrounding the match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"As with any event at Hillsborough, the club will review the matchday operations and will also assist police regarding any incidents that may have taken place away from the stadium.

"Sheffield Wednesday will support the authorities accordingly and individuals proven to have behaved inappropriately will be placed on lifetime club bans.

"The club will be in contact with the police and local safety advisory group first thing on Tuesday morning to ensure the club plays its role in any investigations that will take place surrounding Sunday's match."

Both Palace manager Paul Hart and Owls counterpart Alan Irvine claimed afterwards to have been unaware of the ugly scenes that unfolded.

Police later arrested eight football fans outside the stadium for public order and assault.

The Football Association is expected to launch an inquiry.

Swansea City - Doncaster Rovers - 02/05/2010

Source : Daily Mirror

Cyprus : Omonia - APOEL - 02/05/2010

Source : Cyprus Mail

Six arrested for fan violence

SIX PEOPLE were arrested Sunday as fan violence flared during and after a league-deciding match between Omonia and APOEL.

During the game, opposing sets of supporters hurled objects at each other, injuring one police officer caught in the crossfire. The officer was later treated for light injuries at Nicosia general hospital.

The final whistle saw a group of APOEL fans make their way to the stadium’s western stands, where they began pelting Omonia supporters with stones. Police broke up the group and arrested a 17-year-old from Nicosia. No injuries were reported, while the windshield of a Fire Department vehicle was smashed.

The worst trouble erupted after the match, as isolated groups of hooligans wearing the APOEL colours ambushed motorists in their cars as they left the stadium. Near Latsia, one driver was injured slightly after his car was pelted with stones.

A little later, APOEL fans wielding iron bars and bats attacked and terrorised passing cars on Makarios Avenue in Nicosia, Limassol Avenue and Stasinou Street. Police caught four youths in the act. A number of vehicles were damaged while some of the drivers suffered slight injuries.

In Limassol, a 21-year-old girl was placed under arrest after hurling a firecracker into a trailing car near the Ayios Nicolaos junction.

The youth, who was riding in the bed of a pickup truck, was celebrating with friends. At one point, the 21-year-old threw into the air a live firecracker, which landed into a trailing convertible, injuring the driver.

The 21-year-old was later picked by police and charged for possession and use of explosive material. The 59-year-old driver of the pickup, also a woman, was charged for negligent behaviour.

Five Sheffield Wednesday fans 'savaged' by police dogs - 05/05/2010

Source : Sheffield Telegraph

FIVE men ended up on the same hospital ward with dog bites in the aftermath of Sheffield Wednesday's relegation.

The Owls fans were bitten by police Rottweilers as violence flared outside Hillsborough Stadium on Sunday, when the team dropped out of the Championship.

Four of the fans are still on Huntsman Four ward at Sheffield's Northern General Hospital being treated for bites, while one has been discharged.

Jack Sandall, aged 18, from Eckington, a soldier with the Royal Engineers, was bitten by a Rottweiler as he left Hillsborough's North Stand after the game.

He told The Star: "It was one of the worst pains I've ever felt. This Rottweiler just took me to the floor."

Jack's mum Mandy Sandall, 44, said the dog pulled the muscle out of her son's forearm and said he is due to undergo a nerve graft operation to repair damage.

"He can't move his fingers," she said. "He's in a bad way. Hopefully he will recover."

The former Eckington Comprehensive School pupil, who is based with the army in Hampshire, said it could take three months to make a full recovery.

Dad-of-four Edward Nelson, 38, from Stradbroke, said he was attacked by a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd as he left the match.

"The Rottweiler was on my arm, and the German Shepherd was on my back," he said. "There's a big chunk out of the back of my arm. I thought I was going to lose my life. I managed to get up and run off."

Philip Parkinson, 31, from Lower Manor, was also hospitalised with dog bites.

He said he had watched the game in the South Stand, and was bitten by a police dog on Leppings Lane.

"A big crowd of people, all the horses, came up and the dogs came out. I felt a sharp pain on my right arm. It was a Rottweiler, I couldn't believe it. It was shocking.

"My arm is all bruised, with one deep laceration. They're taking me down to theatre to have a look at the tendon."

South Yorkshire Police later arrested the five men in hospital on suspicion of causing violent disorder.

A spokesman for the Northern General Hospital confirmed five men were admitted to the ward with dog bite injuries.

Fan charged over soccer match clash - 05/05/2010

Source : UKPA

A football fan has been charged with violent disorder following post-match clashes in which brooms and mops were hurled at police, police said.

The trouble flared up after Monday afternoon's non-league match between Luton Town and York City.

Anders Johansen, 37, from Drobak, Norway, will appear at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates' Court, police said.

Luton supporters invaded the pitch following their team's 1-0 defeat by York in the Blue Square Premier League semi-final play-off, Bedfordshire Police said.

Missiles including coins were thrown at York's players and riot police were called in after the game at the Hatters' home ground, Kenilworth Road.

Stewards and police had to help York's players escape to the dressing rooms, via the away end.

The violence spilled over to nearby Dunstable Road, where a small number of fans attacked police with mops and brooms they found outside a DIY store.

Six other people who were arrested on suspicion of public order and drunk and disorderly offences have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

No fans were believed to be seriously hurt in the incident but a number of police officers received minor injuries.

Serbia : Court drops charges against hooligans - 04/05/2010

Source: B92

A new decision of a Belgrade court has concluded the investigation against five hooligans suspected of endangering the safety of a B92 journalist.

Aleksandar Koprivica, Aleksandar Ivanović, Miloš Živančević, Dragutin Barać and Bojan Glišović were suspected of threatening the life of journalist Brankica Stanković.

Their chants at a sports venue consisted of threats that she would end up like the late journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, whose 1999 murder in Belgrade remains unsolved.

The First Belgrade Court dropped charges against the hooligans, stating that the chant was an insult, not a death threat.

The court stated that the investigation would be ended because there were no more charges pending against the suspects.

It remains unclear why the prosecution, which first submitted a request for the investigation, decided to back away.

Images of hooligans from Pompey and Saints clashes released - 05/05/2010

Source : Portsmouth News

Police have released more CCTV images of football thugs involved in violent clashes at Pompey's FA Cup match against Southampton.

Rival supporters clashed in the streets near to St Mary's Stadium in Southampton on February 13.

More than 200 officers dealt with pockets of violence before and after Pompey's 4-1 win, including a massive stand-off between rival fans in Britannia Road.

The violent scenes saw a caravan forecourt smashed up, metal fencing ripped apart and bricks, bottles and coins thrown.

Police arrested 11 people at the time, charging them with public order offences. An investigation was then launched to catch others involved in the fighting.

After surveying hours of CCTV footage, officers released 10 photos in March of suspected thugs – eight of which have been successfully traced and charged.

Today, police released nine new images of people caught on film, as well as re-issuing pictures of the two men they failed to track down from before.

Inspector Lisa Stevens said: 'We are continuing to work hard to find all of those supposed football fans who decided to mar the match back in February by resorting to violence.

'It is only a few of the 32,000 fans who went along that were involved, so for most they got to enjoy a great sporting event. However we want to send a strong message to anyone who does get involved in football related violence that it won't be tolerated.

'We are now asking for the public's help to identify and locate the people in the pictures we are releasing, as we suspect that they may have been involved in football related violence that day. It would be even better for those in the pictures, if they see themselves, to get in contact with us direct rather than waiting for us to come and find them.

'If they don't they can be sure we will track them down and arrest them.'

Fourteen men appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court last month.

Only one fan pleaded guilty to a public order offence.

Alan Taylor, 30, of Milton Road, Southampton, received a three-year football banning order, 12 months supervision order and was ordered to do 140 hours unpaid work.

The others charged and not yet dealt with by the court are due back before Southampton Crown Court on Friday.

Birmingham police raid homes of suspected football hooligans - 05/05/2010

Source : birminghammail.net (Thx to the sender)

Police have swooped on homes across Birmingham to arrest suspected football hooligans behind a violent attack after Blues were dumped out of the FA Cup this season.

Two Portsmouth fans were assaulted by rival fans after their team beat Blues 2-0 in the quarter finals of the competition at Fratton Park in March.

Police said the men, aged 48 and 53, were "seriously assaulted" in separate incidents on Fratton Way shortly after the final whistle.

In a joint operation between Hampshire Police and counterparts in the West Midlands, officers today mounted a series of dawn raids.

The 11 men, aged between 21 and 55, were arrested in co-ordinated raids at 6am.

Five of the men arrested are from Chelmsley Wood, with others from Tile Cross, Kitts Green, Shard End, Solihull, and Coleshill.

All are being held in custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.

Police defend dogs tactic during 'disgraceful' scenes at Sheffield Wednesday - 07/05/2010

Source : thestar.co.uk

POLICE have defended the use of dogs to try to disperse the crowd when violence flared outside Hillsborough after the Owls were relegated.
Five fans ended up in the same hospital ward with dog bites sustained in the aftermath of Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. All five were arrested on suspicion of causing violent disorder.

Superintendent Martin Scothern, match commander at Hillsborough, said police dogs were needed to restore calm.

In one incident scores of fans surrounded a police vehicle with an officer inside and tried to tip it over.

"Police dogs are only deployed in the most serious cases of violence but such was the scale of the disturbance, police dogs had to be used to restore public order outside the stadium," said Supt Scothern.

Police are still examining footage of the disorder to try to identify fans involved.

Eight fans have been arrested on suspicion of violence disorder and assault but police warn more will follow.

Supt Scothern said: "We are dealing with the most serious football-related violence for years in South Yorkshire and are determined to take action against those people whose behaviour was totally unacceptable.

"Officers and vehicles were attacked by a crowd of people outside the ground after police and stewards had diffused disruption inside the stadium.

"Members of this crowd caused damage to property and to police vehicles with stones thrown at officers who were trying to protect the safety of everyone who attended the match.

"We continue to work with Sheffield Wednesday and the local safety advisory group as part of a full and robust investigation into the disgraceful scenes witnessed at Hillsborough."

Inter - AS Roma - Italian Cup final played in Rome - 05/05/2010

Source : dpa + Reuters

Riots leave fan and policeman injured after cup final

An Inter Milan fan was stabbed late Wednesday in the aftermath of the Italian Cup final that the Italian champions won 1-0 against Roma, the ANSA News agency reported.

Four Roma fans reportedly assaulted the Inter supporter near the Stadio Olimpico, stabbing him in the thigh and running away before the arrival of police.

Six people were arrested in clashes that took place after the game outside the stadium, where about 100 fans hurled stones and bottles at officers, injuring one.

One Roma fans was arrested as he tried to enter the stadium despite being banned from sport events.

Police charged 10 other fans for confronting officers and trying to jump the fence to the stadium, and one who invaded the pitch after the game.

Case thrown out against Swans fans accused of violence - 06/05/2010

Source : thisissouthwales.co.uk

ELEVEN Swansea City fans accused of violent or threatening behaviour have had the case against them thrown out because it was taking too long to move forward.

The decision came after Swansea magistrates rejected a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) request for a one-week adjournment to serve committal papers.

At a previous hearing the CPS had asked for a 10-week adjournment to review the evidence, which magistrates granted.

But yesterday, after hearing applications for the case to be discharged by defence solicitors, the presiding magistrate apologised to the 11 defendants, who included two youths, for the inconvenience caused.

The CPS has since said it will aim to reinstate proceedings at the earliest opportunity.

One of the solicitors said his clients had been "treated shabbily by this investigation". Addressing the court, the presiding magistrate said: "We have listened to what has been said and we have declined the request for the adjournment for the Crown Prosecution Service."

She thanked the parents of the two youths, who can not be named for legal reasons, for accompanying them to court, saying their cases should have been dealt with within six weeks.

The 11 fans had been among those arrested and charged following Swansea City's Championship clash against Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium on November 7 last year, which the Swans won 3-2.

The first hearing in connection with the case took place at Swansea Magistrates Court on February 24.

At yesterday's hearing, the charge read that on November 7, at Landore, the defendants had used or threatened unlawful violence such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his or her personal safety.

At the end of the hearing, the prosecutor said the CPS intended to "reinstate this matter against the defendants".

The CPS said later it accepted the court's decision.

"The Crown Prosecution Service takes case preparation very seriously and regrets any delay to court proceedings," said a spokesman.

"The CPS is under a duty to fully review the evidence in cases to ensure that the charges are correct and supported by the evidence.

"In this case, with multiple defendants and a significant amount of evidence to review, the CPS initially requested an adjournment of 10 weeks.

"The full file of evidence submitted by the police had been reviewed, however committal papers had not been prepared within that period and the CPS requested a short adjournment to do this.

"The magistrates rejected that application. The CPS fully accepts the decision of the magistrates."

Asked about potential costs incurred by the discharge, the spokesman said CPS staff were "in-house", meaning there was no additional burden to the taxpayer.

But, he added, court hearings cost money.

Ajax Defender Jan Vertonghen Could Face Disciplinary Action After Insulting Feyenoord - 07/05/2010

Source : Goal.com

The Belgian defender insulted Feyenoord and their fans during Ajax's KNVB Beker win celebrations...

Dutch giants Ajax beat rivals Feyenoord 4-1 on Thursday evening to win this year's KNVB Beker and highly rated defender Jan Vertonghen was over the moon with his side's cup glory.

The Belgian international took the microphone to address the Ajax faithful during the celebration ceremony in the Amsterdam ArenA, but Vertonghen probably went a bit too far with his celebrations.

"They are only fucking cockroaches," the young defender sang for a couple of seconds, referring to the nickname Feyenoord and their fans have among the Ajax supporters.

The crowd were clearly enjoying Vertonghen's actions, but head coach Martin Jol appeared unamused and the Belgian defender could very well face disciplinary action as a result.

Ajax have yet to react to the incident, but the Amsterdam side are expected to apologise for Vertonghen's behaviour in an official statement later on Friday.

Newcastle United thug banned from games - 07/05/2010

Source : chroniclelive.co.uk

THIS Toon hooligan has been given the boot after a court heard of his links to organised soccer violence.

Police compiled a dossier of information against Lee Mattinson and his connections to the notorious Gremlins firm of thugs.

And when he was convicted of fighting with a Cardiff City fan outside St James’ Park, the document was presented to magistrates, who gave him a three-year football banning order.

Mattinson, 36, of Vallum Place, Gateshead, admitted using threatening words or behaviour in relation to the incident, which happened after the Toon’s home game with Cardiff in February.

The court heard a member of the public alerted a police officer about two men fighting nearby. The PC got to the scene and took hold of Mattinson who still managed to land a punch on the Cardiff supporter.

Mattinson was also hit a few times in retaliation and was seen bleeding from the face by the officer, who eventually pinned him to a wall and arrested him.

PC Graham’s report also outlined his involvement in other skirmishes involving Toon yobs. They included a now notorious planned battle with Stoke City fans, in December 2008.

He was seen drinking with other known hooligans in the Bewick House pub, in Newcastle city centre, including Mark Mennim, Darren Fryer and Paul Bine, all of whom have also been banned. Later that same day, they were all part of a 30-strong gang that gathered at the Belle Vue pub, in Gateshead.

An hour or so later, police were called to the nearby Seven Stars bar, in Wrekenton, where two mini buses of Stoke fans were parked.

Mattinson was seen in the doorway of that pub in the moments leading up to mayhem unfolding.

A statement from an officer on duty at the time tells what happened: “All the males walking up the road were wearing dark clothing, hoods or baseball caps and scarves covering their faces.

“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 minibus had 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.”

Also in the statement was a log of sightings of Mattinson with known hooligans on matchdays over the years and details of other previous convictions.

They include him being jailed for six months for an offence of wounding, which took place on Shakespeare Street, Newcastle, in June 2004, when he hit someone over the head with a bottle, causing a five-inch cut. He also has convictions for being drunk and disorderly.

PC Graham’s statement added: “Mattinson has been classed by police as a known risk supporter for many years now.”

Mattinson was hit with a £180 court bill for the original offence and a three-year ban preventing him from going to games in England and Wales and being in town centres where Newcastle United are playing.

Slovak federation rejects request to ban fans - 07/05/2010

Source : USA TODAY

Slovakia's football federation says it has rejected a police demand to ban fans from both clubs at the cup final over safety concerns.

The federation said in a statement it was set to go ahead with the match between rivaling Slovan Bratislava and Spartak Trnava scheduled for Tuesday at the eastern town of Michalovce. It said Friday it was not considering stopping fans from both clubs attending.

Police had threatened to stop the match if the federation does not meet their request, arguing that the stadium was not safe enough.

But the federation said the stadium meets UEFA standards.

The stadium's 4,500 capacity was already reduced to 3,600 to enhance safety. Each club got 450 tickets.

Argentina : Deportivo Madryn - Huracan de Comodoro Rivadavia - 05/05/2010

Source : Reuters

Argentine mayor blames police after fan fires gun

Police and stadium security staff should be held responsible for allowing a fan to smuggle a gun to a soccer match and fire seven shots into the air, the mayor of Argentine city Puerto Madryn said on Thursday.

The fan fired the shots from a 9mm pistol during Wednesday's third tier match between Deportivo Madryn and Huracan de Comodoro Rivadavia in response to his wife being hit by a rock thrown by visiting fans.

No one was injured from the shots, though the referee stopped the match and play was suspended for 15 minutes until police had escorted the fan from the ground.

"The law must intervene," mayor Carlos Eliceche told reporters on Thursday. "The police must give an explanation.

"Those responsible for security should answer for what happened. The club's directors are not the people responsible for body-searching those who enter the ground.

"This person should not have passed the entry control.

"This was a moment of madness by one person in a place where he should never have been and even less so with a weapon."

Extra police for Chesterfield's last game at Saltergate - 08/05/2010

Source : BBC News

Police have warned Chesterfield fans they will have extra officers at the club's last match at the Saltergate stadium to deter bad behaviour.

The League Two game against Bournemouth later has sold out with an attendance of about 8,000 expected.

The team is to move to a new stadium at the former Dema Glass site in the town.

Supt Paul Berry said: "There will be a big crowd and a lot of emotion. We hope that people enjoy it in the right fashion."

Banning order warning

He added: "The club also still have a chance of qualifying for the end of season play-offs so there will be some tension there.

"We want people to come and celebrate the occasion in the right way, but as usual we want them to know that bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

"We will be working closely with the club stewards and want to warn that people turning up to the match drunk will not be admitted to the ground.

"Anyone arrested for a football related offence faces the possibility of banning orders."

VfL Bochum - Hannover 96 - 08/05/2010

Source : The Local + Reuters

A total of 66 people, including three policemen, were injured in fighting in the town of Bochum in North Rhine-Westphalia on Saturday, following the relegation of VfL Bochum football club. The police have charged 21 people.

Bochum were relegated from Germany's top division, the Bundesliga, on Saturday after being beaten 3:0 at home to Hannover 96. The result also meant that Hannover escaped relegation.

Several Bochum fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle, and attempted to attack their team's players and stewards. Police used batons and pepper spray to drive back the attackers, who retaliated by throwing stones, cans and seats.

At the same time, around 200 fans protested outside the management offices behind the main stand. The police formed a chain behind the stadium in order to prevent further violence, and as the fans attempted to break through the line, the police used pepper spray to keep them back.








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Source : Bild.de + welt.de

Burton Albion - Grimsby Town - 08/05/2010

Source : Burton Maill.co.uk + thisisgrimsby.co.uk

Arrests after trouble from Grimsby fans

TROUBLE erupted at Burton Albion's football ground this afternon after Grimsby Town fans saw their team relegated from the football league.

online generic 2Police officers formed a barrier across the Pirelli Stadium pitch in a bid to try to control away fans after their team lost 3-0, meaning they have now been relegated to the Blue Square Premier League.

Grimsby Town fans damaged the Princess Way stadium’s advertising boards, thorwing them at the line of officers.

Double-decker buses were organised to take Grimsby fans to the train station, with officers on the vehicles to prevent any further trouble.

Arrests were also made in the town centre after trouble started in the Lord Burton pub, in High Street, and in the town's Octagon Centre.





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Source : The Sun

There were ugly scenes at the end of the game as unhappy Grimsby fans invaded the pitch and clashed with police.