Season 11/12 - February

Marseille - OGC Nice - League cup - 01/02/2012

Source : Nice-Matin + 20Minutes.fr + http://omfans.fr

Nice supporters' bus was attacked by a mob of locals, like many other vehicles which were damaged.
One policeman and one steward were also wounded said the local club, because an home-made bomb.
Finally, eight Nice supporters were arrested.

England: Gillingham fan hit with Football Banning Order - 08/02/2012

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

AN unemployed 35-year-old man from Chatham - who assaulted two stewards at a Gillingham match - has become the first person in Kent to receive a Football Banning Order since a new specialist unit was established within Kent Police to tackle football related crime.

Gary Rimmer from Pheasant Road has been banned from attending any football match anyway in the UK or overseas, for the next three years.

The ban extends to all matches from the Blue Square Premier League - the top level of non-league competition - upwards.

He also received an 18 month community order and an 18 month supervision order after being found guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court of assaulting two stewards at a Gills game at Priestfield in October.

During the game against Barnet, Rimmer was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of assault and one count of being drunk whilst entering a sports ground. He was found guilty last month and the prosecutor applied for him to be the subject of a Football Banning Order.

The police’s football unit, which comprises of specially trained officers, was formed last July after a change in the law that meant ‘regulated games’ included non-league football matches.

So the team covers all the major football fixtures in the county - among them games featuring the Gills, Ebbsfleet, Dartford, Dover and Tonbridge Angels.

Attached to the unit are dedicated `football spotters’ who monitor tensions and behaviour within football stadiums and also look out for those who have previously been banned from football grounds.

If an offence is seen the spotters can direct officers to arrest the person responsible.

Superintendent Ian Hall said: “We are very satisfied with the banning order and it shows that not only do the courts take these offences seriously but it proves the value of the new unit within Kent Police.

“Football fans should be able to attend a game to support their team, and stewards should be able to do their job, without being subjected to offensive and criminal behaviour.

“If anyone else is thinking about causing trouble at football matches our message to you is - you will be arrested, we’ll take you to court and we’ll do everything within our power to support the courts in banning you from entering a football ground for several years.”

Scotland: Banned Hearts fan chanted sectarian abuse after sneaking into game - 08/02/2012

Source : http://local.stv.tv

A banned Hearts fan chanted sectarian abuse after sneaking into a football match through a gate for disabled supporters.

James Begbie had been banned by the Edinburgh club from attending home matches for threatening Celtic fans on an away trip.

The 19-year-old was caught singing a sectarian chant during Hearts away game at Dunfermline Athletic last year.

He had been denied entry at Dunfermline's East End Park stadium after police denied him entry because he was a "high risk supporter”.

Sheriff Ian Dunbar fined Begbie £200 at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday after hearing he had been of good behaviour.

The court was previously told the teenager had been subject to a "club ban which prevented him attending games at Tynecastle". Azrah Yousaf, prosecuting, said: "The accused was heard singing on his own a Hearts song called The Gorgie Boys. It is sung to the tune of the loyalist song The Billy Boys.He sang 'We're up to our knees in Fenian blood, surrender or you'll die.'

"Fans around him were becoming unrestful about the words he was singing, and he was taken out the ground. Police had initially refused the man entry to the game because he was seen as a high risk supporter. He left the stadium but was seen to enter via the disabled access.

"He has another conviction for a football related matter."

Begbie, of Carmel Avenue, Edinburgh, admitted that at Dunfermline's ground on October 15 last year he conducted himself in a disorderly manner by shouting sectarian abuse that constituted a religiously prejudiced breach of the peace.

Zander Flett, defending, said: "My client was banned by Hearts at the time of the incident and still remains banned, but there is no restriction on way games. The song in question shouldn't be sung by Hearts supporters but is on some occasions. He does not view himself as sectarian.

"He has currently started working in a factory on a trial basis, and he will be expected to work on Saturdays, which, if nothing else, will stop him attending matches."

He had previously been fined £225 for challenging Celtic fans to a fight after waving a Red Hand of Ulster flag at them.

England: Race abuse fan gets three year ban - 08/02/2012

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

A Manchester United fan who hurled racist abuse at a black player was today fined £200 and banned from football matches for three years.

Howard Hobson, 57, shouted numerous racial slurs and made monkey noises at Stoke City's Trinidad-born player Kenwyne Jones.

Hobson was in the North Stand at Old Trafford for the game against Stoke on January 31, Trafford Magistrates Court heard.

The defendant was asked to explain his actions by JPs after pleading guilty to a single charge of a racially aggravated public order offence.

"I'm not racist," he told the bench. "I have coloured people in my family and most of my best mates are coloured. I don't know what came over me. I'm deeply sorry."


Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, told the court Hobson's behaviour was brought to the attention of club stewards at the match by a witness sitting near the defendant. After the half-time interval when Hobson returned to his seat he was spoken to by stewards and taken away and then transferred to a police station in Salford.

Hobson, of Weaver Walk, Openshaw, Manchester, admitted making some comments about the Stoke player "in the heat of the moment" and accepted he used the words, "black bastard". He said he could not remember using the words "w**" or "monkey" but accepted what the witness had reported him as saying.

Hobson was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. The football banning order means he is not allowed to enter a football ground in England and Wales for three years or he could be arrested and he must surrender his passport when England play internationals abroad.

Greater Manchester Police said Hobson's ban would give him time to think about his "disgusting outbursts" and send a "clear message" against racism at football grounds.

Stretford-based Superintendent Jim Liggett said: "Hobson's racist tirade was a shocking reminder that there remain a tiny minority of football supporters who still think it is acceptable to abuse players just because of the colour of their skin. I am grateful to the genuine football supporter who heard Hobson's abuse and quickly brought it to the attention of the stewards. It is fans like this who are the true supporters of the game, not people like Hobson."

Brazil: Botafogo - Flamengo - 05/02/2012

Source : CNN

4 men wounded by gunshots in Brazil fan violence

Four Botafogo fans were wounded by gunshots after the team's game against Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro during a weekend marked by violence between rival supporters and police across Brazil.
Authorities in Rio say the four fans were hospitalized after being shot early Monday but their injuries were not life threatening. They were shot at a plaza by unknown assailants who drove by just after a fight between fans from both clubs.
Dozens of other soccer supporters also were injured or detained at other venues on Sunday in clashes between rival fans and fights between hooligans and police.

Brazil: Ponte Preta - São Paulo - 05/02/2012

Source : CNN

Police had to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd before the match between Ponte Preta and Sao Paulo in the interior city of Campinas.

Dutch police present football policy - 08/02/2012

Source : http://www.rnw.nl

The police are to draw up a top 10 of most notorious football hooligans for each club in professional football. All data pertaining to these hooligans will be stored in a single database.

When arrested, they will be treated the same way as known repeat offenders.

These measures form part of a national plan of action against football violence. The plan was signed by Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten, the national football association KNVB, the Public Prosecutor's office and the mayors of the cities most affected by hooliganism.

The agreement calls for quicker and stricter punishments, utilising a tit-for-tat policy whenever possible. Minister Opstelten says he approves of a proposal from parliament to extend the duration of stadium bans.

The signatories plan to hold talks on security measures ahead of each professional football match. They emphasize that even though football violence as such is a national problem, addressing it remains primarily a local concern.

Middlesbrough - Sunderland - FA Cup - 08/02/2012

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

Football fans cause chaos



DOZENS of police and a riot control unit were scrambled to Hartlepool railway station after drunken fans caused chaos on a train which had to be stopped in town.

One member of Network Rail staff needed hospital treatment after the terrifying incident.

The four-carriage train carrying more than 400 Sunderland fans to Middlesbrough for an FA Cup replay was damaged and had to be stopped as it arrived in Hartlepool around 6.45pm.

Amid terrifying and chaotic scenes police restrained some fans as tempers threatened to spill over and some drunken fans caused mayhem.

More than two dozen officers, including a Cleveland Police support unit and British Transport Police officers, were called to the station as hundreds of supporters flooded out on to the platforms.

One train window was smashed and alarm cords pulled as the mood turned ugly with many fans getting upset at the delay.

The incident took around an hour to stabilise with a second train being called to take the fans on to Middlesbrough.

Superintendent Glenn Gudgeon, district commander for Hartlepool, who attended the incident with his officers told the Mail: “This was an extremely frightening incident for members of the general public.

“When you see hundreds of young men running around in one location and you don’t know what is going on it can be startling and frightening.

“The vast majority of fans were decent people and it was all down to a few drunken individuals ruining it for everyone.

“The incident had the potential to be serious and also have an impact on the rest of the town as it tied up resources.

“A few people had to be restrained but officers did not make any arrests and we got the fans on another train and on their to Middlesbrough.”

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “There were two extra carriages put on to the 17:50 service from Sunderland to Middlesbrough to cope with the extra number of passengers.

“When the service arrived at Hartlepool at around about 6.30pm one of the windows had been put out in the rear carriage and obviously the service could not continue.

“We took the passengers from the train onto the platform to move them onto another train.

“This second train left Hartlepool at around 7.40pm and arrived in Middlesbrough around 8pm.

“During the time the passengers were on the platform at Hartlepool, there was some disturbance and one of our staff members was injured and required hospital treatment before being released last night.”

The game was played in an electric atmosphere at Middelsbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium.

More than 4,000 fans made the trip from Wearside to Teesside for the game, and as well as supporters making their way on trains, traffic on the A19 was also heavily disrupted.

A convoy of more than 40 coaches snaked down the A19 during rush hour, with police outriders escorting the buses to try and keep them all together.

Sunderland won the game 2-1 courtesy of an extra-time winner from striker Stephane Sessegnon.

And despite the rivalry between the sets of fans, police only had to make nine arrests.

One of them was caught live on television after an unruly fan jumped the pitch boundary and approached Boro full-back Justin Hoyte.

England: Clashes between rival fans caught on reality cop show - 11/02/2012

Source : This is Leicestershire

Acrimonious and sometimes violent scenes at last month's FA Cup clash between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest will be shown in a TV documentary on Monday.

Filmmakers from Channel 4's acclaimed Coppers series followed Nottinghamshire Police's Territorial Support Group (TSG) during the match at the City Ground.

The game, attended by 8,000 travelling City fans, was marred by alleged racist chants aimed at Leicester's Asian community.

The programme's cameras followed the action inside and outside the ground and includes footage from cameras fitted to the TSG officers.

Simon Ford, executive producer for Blast! Films, which makes the series, said: "The principle behind it is to let people see how increasingly difficult it is for the police to do their job. We set out to be as honest as possible.

"In Monday's programme, the police see how ordinary middle-aged men who go to football matches go there to wind up the crowd.

"We see a scuffle involving a middle-aged guy repeatedly cajoling the other side and the police telling him to stop behaving like a kid and get back on the coach.We also filmed two people being arrested.

"The police wonder what it is that turns people who are otherwise respectable into idiots."

He added: "There were several scuffles outside and it got a bit nasty.

"The TSG officers play a cat-and-mouse game with the tiny hardcore minority of football fans determined to engage in violence with rival supporters."

During the match, two Forest fans were ejected by stewards and 11 people were arrested.

Of the 11 arrested, nine were Leicester fans – two in a relation to a charge of threatening behaviour arising from a fight near the ground.

Two Forest fans are also on bail on charges arising from that incident.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: "We saw this as an opportunity to show the problems encountered by a modern-day police force and the professionalism of our officers in dealing with those challenges whilst working across a range of operational roles.

"The series provides a unique insight and offers greater understanding of the challenges the police face and a greater appreciation of our work."

Coppers is on Channel 4 on Monday at 9pm.

Scotland: Heart of Midlothian - Celtic - 08/02/2012

Source : http://www.scotsman.com

Hearts vow thug fans won’t win as ball boy, 13, struck by coin

HEARTS today vowed to keep ball boys at games against Celtic despite another schoolboy being injured by a coin thrown from the crowd during the high-pressure clash.

The latest incident saw a 13-year-old struck in the lower back about 30 minutes before full-time, prompting Tynecastle security to withdraw all ball boys and girls from the area as tensions mounted.

Police have launched an investigation but it is understood CCTV footage of the incident was “inconclusive” and it is not known which set of supporters was responsible.

Wednesday night’s incident, which saw paramedics treat the boy for a minor injury, is the latest in a string of ugly incidents during games against the Glasgow club.

It comes less than a year after Hearts supporter John Wilson ran on to the pitch at Tynecastle and lunged at Celtic manager Neil Lennon. During that same match, a 14-year-old ball boy was reported to have been hit by a 2p coin.

And in October the News told how a schoolboy football team was left “shaken and shocked” after being subjected to foul-mouthed abuse from Celtic fans when they took to the Tynecastle pitch.

It is understood fans from both clubs had been aiming coins at each other during Celtic’s 4-0 win.

Linda More, a Hearts season-ticket holder whose 14-year-old daughter was a ball girl at Wednesday’s match, said there was a “poisonous” atmosphere whenever Celtic visited.

“It’s so hostile at these games now and it’s kids who have got caught in the crossfire,” she said.

“My daughter said there were coins being thrown and that they were told to leave the pitch and go into the main stand for their safety. It seems like in each game we play now there’s some sort of incident.

“Why do kids need to be subjected to that, especially when you are trying to encourage them to go to football? It’s just wrong.”

Gorgie Councillor and Hearts supporter Eric Milligan said: “Last season there was a very bad edge at the Hearts games against Celtic and it has led to things that shouldn’t have happened.

“Throwing coins on the pitch or doing anything that might disrupt the business of the ball boys has to be deplored.”

A Hearts spokesman said: “There was a ball boy struck by a missile and he was examined by the medical people, but no further treatment was required.

“The ball boys and girls were removed as a matter of precaution.

“They will be back in place when we next play Celtic, but if their safety is compromised the same action will be taken.”

Celtic FC said they had not been informed about the incident, but it is understood that they would co-operate with Hearts and the police if necessary.

A police spokesman, said: “Inquiries are ongoing following a report of a 13-year-old ball boy being struck by a coin.”

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man has been charged with a breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice during the game and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

England: Man admits part in Chorley vs Chester football clash - 11/02/2012

Source : http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk

A man has admitted his part in the violence that followed a football match in Chorley.

Colin Dunn, 24, of Park Rd, Chorley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton Street, Chorley on February 19 last year.

Trouble flared after the Chorley - Chester City match, which ended in a 1-0 win for Chester.

Ten men were charged in relation to the disorder after the Evo Stik first division clash.

They appeared side by side in the dock at Preston Crown Court, with Martin Lacey appearing by videolink.

Dunn admitted being in a group of three or more people using or threatening violence in Bolton Street.

However he denied a charge of violent disorder at Chorley FC’s Victory Park stadium the same day.

Lee Woodcock, 35, of Marian Drive, Great Broughton, Chester; Steven Kay, 39, of Longacre, Bamber Bridge; Anthony Kay, 42, of Lyon Road, Keighley; Carl Unsworth, 30, of Canal Walk, Chorley; Gareth Roberts, 30, of Draperfield, Chorley; Parris Blackburn, 24, of Bolton Road, Chorley and Martin Lacey, 24, of Lancaster Court, Chorley also denied violent disorder at Victory Park.

Woodcock, Samuel Hay, 23, of Circular Drive, Elwoe, Deeside; Anthony Farrell, 41, of Ardeen Walk, Manchester; Unsworth, Roberts, Kay, Kay and Blackburn also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder in Bolton Street.

The men have been granted bail but have been banned from attending paid for football matches until their trial date of June 11 when they will return to Preston Crown Court.

Dunn, who has also been banned from matches, will be sentenced at a later date, following the preparation of reports.

Judge Pamela Badley said all sentencing options would be available.

Serbia: Hooligan sentenced to two years in prison - 12/02/2012

SOURCE: B92

The First Municipal Court in Belgrade on Thursday sentenced Red Star fan group leader Ivan Bogdanov to two years in prison for violent behavior in 2006.

Bogdanov was sentenced for taking part in a mass fight with the police ahead of a basketball match between Partizan and Red Star in Belgrade.

He has been in custody, which was today extended, since May 24, 2011 when he was deported from Italy for causing unrest at a football match in Genoa.

Judge Ivana Ramić said the defendant was guilty of obstructing police officers in the execution of their duty.

B92 reporter says that security level in the courtroom was increased during the sentencing.

Both defense and the Prosecution have the right to file an appeal.

Bogdanov was deported from Italy last May after the Italian court overturned a sentence of three and a half years in prison and banned him from entering the EU member states in the next five years.

He was arrested as soon as he returned to Serbia and remanded in custody due to risk of repeating the crime.

Poland: Fans protest at Warsaw Euro 2012 stadium - 11/02/2012

Source : AFP

Three thousand supporters of Legia Warsaw staged an angry protest on Saturday after a match scheduled to be the first at the city's Euro 2012 stadium was cancelled on security grounds.
The 450-million-euro arena, which holds 58,000 people, was due to host Legia's Super Cup tie against Wisla Krakow, but was called off on Wednesday.
Legia fans had their protest closely monitored by around a large police presence, according to an AFP photographer.
Fans hoping to see a game at the stadium -- venue for the first match of Euro 2012 in June -- will have to wait until a friendly between Poland and Portugal on February 29.
Speculation had raged for days about the chances of the Super Cup going ahead in the brand-new stadium in the heart of the capital Warsaw.
But despite the dissipation of concerns over the pitch, and a police decision to drop objections over the lack of barriers to separate rival supporters, they still underlined potential logistical hurdles to security.
With hooliganism a top concern as Poland gears up to host the European championships along with neighbouring Ukraine, the authorities are edgy about matches pitting big names like 2011 league winners Wisla and Cup holders Legia.
The decision to cancel the match is the latest chapter in a long-running saga concerning the stadium.
It was due to be inaugurated last July, but that was put off after construction headaches, and organisers of its January 29 rock concert opening faced last-minute nerves until safety officials gave a green light two days beforehand.
On June 8, the Warsaw stadium will host the Euro 2012 opening ceremony and the tournament's first match, Poland against Greece.

Volley-ball: AEK Athens - Galatasaray - Confederations cup - 08/02/2012

Source : http://www.pamemundial.gr

Serious brawl broke out, opposing AEK supporters to police forces during this women volley-ball game.
A total of 150 seats were ripped off and threw in direction of police who used tear gas.
Three people (two policemen and one supporter who was slashed) were wounded and transfered at hopsital.
25 supporters were arrested.
The man who was slashed was wounded during a fight which opposed AEK fans to Panathinaikos rivals, outside the stadium.

Translation Underground Fans ©

Germany: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - SpVgg Greuther Fürth - Cup - 08/02/2012

Source : www.stimme.de

After this cup game, one furth supporter was attacked and punched by a group of locals.
The man, aged 26, was transfered to the hospital because he was seriously wounded.
Two men were arrested by police and were well-know.

Translation Underground Fans ©

SC Preußen Münster - Werder Bremen II - 11/02/2012

Source : http://www.wn.de

Troubles broke out before the beginning of the game, at 7pm, opposing police and away supporters.


Translationn Underground Fans ©

Chiei: Universidad Chile - Deportes Iquique - 11/02/2012

Source : http://diario.latercera.com + http://deportes.terra.cl




The game was stopped by the referee after 53 minutes of playing because many firecrackers were threw in the pitch.

Translation Underground Fans ©

1.FC Union Berlin - Dynamo Dresden - 11/02/2012

Source : http://www.tagesspiegel.de

No troubles for this very high risk game but 1700 policemen were present in the city and the stadium.
About 480 Dresden supporters made the trip to Berlin, including 30 category C and 300 category B said police.
On local side, police had an eye and gave an adver to 91 hooligans, including 12 with stadium bans.

Translation Underground Fans ©

Argentina: Chacarita Juniors - River Plate - 12/02/2012

Source : http://deportes.terra.com.ar

One Chacarita supporter was wounded after he was shooted when he was on its way to the stadium.
He was transfered at the hospital.

Translation Underground Fans ©

Tunisian League Football Matches Played Behind Closed Doors - 12/02/2012

Source : http://www.tunisia-live.net/2012/02/12/tunisian-league-football-matches-to-be-played-behind-closed-doors/

As a preemptive measure against fears of a deterioration of the security situation at football matches in Tunisia, the Tunisian Ministry of Interior has announced that league matches in Tunisia will be played behind closed doors indefinitely starting the weekend of February 11-12.

The announcement comes a week after more than 74 people died in Port Said, Egypt when fans of Al-Masry Football Club charged the pitch following their 3-1 victory over Al-Ahli Football Club.

Sami Akrimi the editor in chief of the Le Presse sports page, said that the ban on fans has nothing to do with the events in Port Said, Egypt. “If a plane crashed tomorrow in Peru, would you cancel all TunisAir flights?” said Akrimi.

Akrimi blames the ban on fans on the Federation’s unwillingness to work with members of supporters clubs to provide adequate security at football matches. “Politicians during the electoral campaign ignored sports, as though sports do not exist in Tunisia, and for this reason for the third time since the revolution matches will be played without fans,” added Akrimi.

While Tunisia’s big clubs of Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Club African and Etoile Sportive du Sahel have financial resources from exporting players abroad, other clubs in Tunisia do not sell their players to European clubs. For the other clubs in the Tunisian league the ban on fans is a “financial disaster” because they are highly dependent on ticket sales according to Akrimi.

Moez, a member of the organizing committee of fans of Esperance Sportive de Tunis blamed the ban on violence in Tunisian stadiums and the large number of minors who come to matches drunk, cause problems that get them arrested but then they are released early as minors. “Nothing is original here in Tunisia with our supporters groups,” Moez said. “There are a large number of violent football supporters all over Europe,” he added.

“Yesterday, we met with the Minister of Sport, Tarek Dhiab and we suggested that the only fans allowed to enter stadiums be those who have season tickets.” According to Moez, Dhiab expressed his dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Interior’s decision and expressed his desire to coordinate a solution to the problem of fan violence with the Interior Ministry.

Wolverhampton Wanderers - West Bromwich Albion - 12/02/2012

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

Fans praised after Black Country derby

Just seven arrests made

A large scale policing operation ensured a safe Black Country derby yesterday between Wolves and West Brom.

Only a handful of arrests were made during the fixture which saw officers from across the force play their part in a successful operation.

But even though the final whistle may have been blown inside the ground, police continued to monitor the city centre and pubs near to the stadium for several hours.

Chief Inspector Ian Marsh, who was responsible for policing the fixture, said: "Working with Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, as well as the Football Association and supporter groups, a significant amount of planning went into policing today's fixture.

"The operation involved a large number of officers, dog handlers and specialist evidence gathering teams, working alongside club stewards, to ensure spectator safety.

"I'd like to thank the vast majority of fans who enjoyed the game in the spirit of friendly rivalry befitting a major local sporting occasion and made the day such a success."

After the game, officers quelled the emotions of a small number of fans who were antagonising each other on Broad Street in the city centre and quickly dispersed the group.

In total seven men were arrested:

Two were arrested by British Transport Police for public order offences at a railway station prior to the game.

One was arrested for criminal damage.

Two were arrested for encroaching the pitch.

One was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

One was arrested for a public order offence inside the ground.

Ipswich Town - Middlesbrough - 12/02/2012

Source : The Sun

Rioters go mad

POLICE are examining video footage of a mini-riot staged by Middlesbrough fans furious at the decision to call the game off.

A group of about 40 supporters tried to force open a double gate close to where the Boro team coach was parked.

Stewards struggled to contain the angry mob as they surged forward chanting, 'We want our money back'.

The incident was captured on CCTV and police are studying the footage, which could lead to arrests.

Referee Dean Whitestone gave the go-ahead for the game after two pitch inspections.

Ipswich had protected the pitch for eight days with an inflatable balloon full of hot air and staff even worked through the night to get the game on.

Both Ipswich boss Paul Jewell and opposite number Tony Mowbray were at the ground at 10am and agreed the playing surface was fine.

But when the cover was removed before kick-off the sub-zero temperature kicked in.

Ipswich skipper Ibrahima Sonko suffered a cracked rib and Jewell said: "We've lost a player. It wouldn't have happened on a proper pitch."

But Mowbray admitted: "The pitch seemed pretty playable in the morning."

France: Amiens SC - SCO Angers - 11/02/2012
Source : Le Courrier Picard

A fight between Angers supporters and police officers burst after the announcement of the cancellation of the game Amiens - Angers this Saturday.
Angry about this decision, members of the KDLB did not want to leave the area of the stadium so police and stewards encircled the 43 supporters. Truncheons blows were given and at least one person was wounded at his head during these confrontations.
Finally supporters entered the coach and the police escorted it to the highway but supporters threw firecrackers at them.

Tight security in Amsterdam for Ajax vs Man United - 14/02/2012

Source : Agence-France Presse

Amsterdam authorities are beefing up security for Thursday night's first-leg Europa League match between Ajax and Manchester United, saying there was "an increased chance of confrontation" between fans.

"There is a increased chance of confrontation between supporters groups and possibly possession of weapons," Amsterdam's city council said in a statement.

"Therefore Mayor Eberhard van der Laan has proclaimed a safety-risk area ahead, during and after the game at the Ajax ArenA," which will allow police to deploy extra members and search for weapons.

Some 2,500 Red Devil supporters have bought tickets, the statement said, but it was expected another group of between 1,000 and 2,500 fans will buy tickets at the stadium.

"Information is that there'll be a 100 hardcore Manchester United supporters among them," the statement said.

Police will control the area around the ArenA -- where in past years ugly scenes between Ajax fans and those from visiting clubs have broken out -- from 4.00 pm (1500 GMT) on Wednesday to 12.00 am (2300 GMT), the statement said.

But recent clashes at Ajax were not only confined outside the stadium.

In December an Ajax fan tried to attack AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado, prompting the team to leave the pitch in protest against lack of security. He received a four-month jail sentence.

AC Milan - Arsenal FC - 15/02/2012

Source : AFP + http://www.leggo.it

Arsenal fans 'clash with police' before Milan game



Clashes broke out between a group of Arsenal fans and police in Milan ahead of the Champions League match between the "rossoneri" and the Gunners on Wednesday night, Italian news agency Ansa reported.
English fans threw bottles and cans at police and Milan supporters on the central Piazza del Duomo in front of the 14th century cathedral that dominates the square.
Verbal clashes broke out between four Milan fans and a group of around 200 Arsenal supporters, who threw cans and chased their Italian counterparts into the landmark Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade adjoining the square.
The English fans were stopped by police but started throwing bottles.
One Arsenal fan suffered a head injury in the subsequent clashes while another was arrested before calm was restored.