Latest news with #hooligans
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE: Police chiefs back calls for more thugs to be banned following season of mayhem in Scottish football, while Justice Secretary announces public consultation over issue
Police chiefs are backing calls for greater use of banning orders on hooligans following a season of mayhem in Scottish football. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said the court-imposed orders were 'instrumental' in helping to keep the majority of well-behaved fans, players and communities safe, while David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, described them as 'a powerful tool'. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced yesterday that a public consultation on the issue will take place following talks between the Scottish Government, police, football authorities and player and fan representatives. Both the SFA and SPFL have called for more action to be taken after a season marred by illegal pyrotechnic displays and the throwing of items on to the field of play, the most serious of which saw Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie struck on the head by a chair. Assistant Chief Constable Waddell said: 'We should all be able to go to a football match and enjoy the game without fear of violence or disorder. Football banning orders can be instrumental in helping to keep fans, players and communities safe. 'There must be deterrents and that includes police enforcement, as well as sanctions from the clubs, authorities and courts issuing football banning orders. 'We are working with the Scottish Government to explore strengthening current legislation and we continue to work with the clubs and the justice system to tackle criminality together.' Kennedy, who represents Scotland's rank and file officers, said: 'Banning orders are a powerful tool and we would encourage their use to combat a minority of people who are giving football a bad name. 'They have the effect of banning individuals from the grounds which obviously doesn't mean they won't create problems in the vicinity of the venue - and we have fewer police on the ground to deal with them if they should do so. But keeping them out of the grounds is an important step and one we would support and encourage. 'The order can be imposed by a sheriff as part of sentencing - or it can be applied for by police.' Last month it was reported that just five Football Banning Orders (FBOs) were issued in Scotland between last August and February this year. That was down from 37 in the 2023-24 season and 59 in 2022-23. The orders can last up to 10 years and 'the length of the ban reflects the seriousness of the offence'. A breach can lead to a fine and up to six months in jail. Getting an order means a ban from every football ground in the UK. It also means a ban from the national team's matches, including ones played abroad. Anyone hit with a ban may also have to hand their passport into a police station when their team plays abroad - and they will have to report at a police station on the day the game is played. Specific conditions can be imposed on a case-by-case basis - but 'must be relevant to the original offence'. Bans can apply on public transport on match days, and can forbid travel to other public places such as town and city centres, railway stations, pubs, and bars which are popular with fans. Justice Secretary Constance announced plans for a public consultation on the issue after chairing a roundtable discussion which featured the SFA and SPFL, PFA Scotland, police officials, safety officers from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Aberdeen, Supporters Direct and the Scottish Football Supporters Association, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and local council representatives.. She said: 'The vast majority of football fans behave responsibly. However, we need to look at what more can be done to address the very small minority who continue to create disorder. 'At the roundtable, I was pleased to see a strong shared will and commitment of partners, including football clubs and authorities, fans' groups, football safety officers and councils, to work together to make football safer for fans, players and communities. 'We must all do everything possible, individually and collectively, to rid football of dangerous and harmful behaviours. 'We will publish a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches, and work closely with our partners to develop the consultation and consider next steps.' Clubs last week accepted new rules at the SFA AGM, which will allow for sanctions to be taken against them over issues at Scottish Cup matches. The tightened regulations follow similar changes in competitions run by the SPFL. Speaking last week, SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: 'We see, particularly at Hampden, if there's significant pyro use, there are a large number of supporters that have to leave the stadium because of breathing difficulties, because of safety concerns, because kids are frightened and it's those supporters that we need to look after. 'It needs us to do as much as we can, along with the SPFL. It needs the clubs to do as much as they can. It needs the police and the stewarding teams on a match day to do as much as they can. 'It needs the Crown and the judiciary system to do as much as they can. It's a real collaborative approach that's required.' Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell were all sanctioned by the SPFL for fans' pyrotechnic displays in the Premier Sports Cup last season, and the champions, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle were all hit with disciplinary notices over similar instances in league games towards the end of the campaign. Other high-profile incidents late in the season included Aberdeen player Mackenzie being injured after part of a seat was thrown on to the Tannadice pitch, allegedly by a Dons supporter, and Livingston issuing a lifetime ban to a fan who allegedly spat at then Ross County assistant boss Carl Tremarco. An SPFL statement last week added: 'As well as club bans, unwelcome incidents such as these have unfortunately made it abundantly clear that there is a need for far more widespread use of football banning orders and we are encouraged by the progress being made in partnership with our clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.'
Reuters
5 days ago
- Reuters
Greek police arrest 12 in latest operation against sports-related gangs
ATHENS, June 16 (Reuters) - Greek police have arrested at least 12 people during an operation to break up two gangs whose members they said were sports fans involved in drug trafficking, beatings, robberies and arson, they said on Monday. The large-scale operation was still in progress, police said in a statement. The gangs, who possessed explosives, were active in the wider Athens area and involved in clashes with rival soccer supporters, they added. Since the 2023 death of a policeman in clashes with hooligans in Athens, police have launched a major crackdown on criminality and violence surrounding sports.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Chelsea fan claims he's only just found out they won Conference League after being thrown in Polish jail for five days
A CHELSEA fan claims to have only just found out they won the Conference League final after allegedly being thrown in a Polish jail for FIVE days. The befuddled Blues supporter posted a video to social media claiming he had been banged up in Wroclaw after a scrap with Real Betis fans. 4 4 The two sets of supporters were embroiled in a series of unsavoury clashes leading up to Wednesday's match, which Chelsea won 4-1. Riot police were even deployed to the streets as hooligans from both clubs caused chaos in Poland. And the fan in question claims that after being caught up in one of the fights, he was immediately thrown into a jail cell. In the video, the Chelsea supporter alleged he had been locked up for five days and was only released on Sunday morning. As a result, he only just found out that his beloved Blues had actually gone on to secure victory in Wednesday's final. But the fan also claimed that he has been left with no money after his encounter with Polish police and must now figure out a way to return home. He said: 'I have just been released from Polish jail. Just found out that Chelsea won the Conference League. 'Polish police have sucked me for all my money. I've been in there for four days, five days, over a petty little fight with these Betis fans. 'I'm in Wroclaw, no money, just my backpack and the stuff that I bought with me apart from the money that I had. 'I don't really know how I'm getting home to be honest. At least Chelsea won the f*****g Conference League, as I've just found out. 4 4 '7 o'clock in the morning, five days later, just released me, today's Sunday, the game was on Wednesday. 'They kept me in there for a fight. So let's see how I get home. I don't know.' Fans were quick to react online. One said' 'At least they won.' Another declared: 'Don't break the law then.' One noted: 'Fair play to him.' Another added: 'Poland don't play around.'
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PSG and Inter Milan Fans Clash on Subway Ahead of Final in Munich
PSG and Inter Milan Fans Clash on Subway Ahead of Final in Munich originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan also pits two of the most heated crowds in Europe against each other. Historically, there has been no significant rivalry between the teams, but today there are intense confrontations both on and off the pitch to see who lifts the trophy. Advertisement European football is often surrounded by fights before important matches. Although such incidents are now rare near stadiums due to the strong presence of law enforcement, hooligans can still cause problems miles away from the actual game. In a video shared on social media, Inter Milan and PSG supporters clashed in a brawl on the subway while heading to the match. In the video, French supporters were inside the train, while the Inter Milan fans were outside. The reason for the initial confusion remains unknown. In the same video, it is possible to see some supporters close to the brawl were trying to stay away from the fight. Also read: Both teams seek redemption in the Champions League final Not only is this a chance for Inter Milan to redeem themselves for their loss to Manchester City in the final two years ago, but also an opportunity to lift the trophy after beating Barcelona in overtime with a historic goal. Advertisement On the other side, PSG is a team that invested millions to build a team with the best players, but the project with Neymar and Mbappé does not go as planned, and they lost in the Champions League final to Bayern Munich in 2020. A year later, the team makes another investment and signed Lionel Messi on the summer of 2021, but once again it didn't work out and the trio left the club, leaving PSG empty-handed - or so they thought before Luis Enrique arrived at the club and transformed the culture inside the locker room. PSG and Inter Milan play two different styles of football. While Paris prefers to maintain possession and try to create scoring opportunities, Inter likes to sit back and wait for counter-attacks to try to score - but PSG also has the speed to score when the roles are reversed, thanks to players like Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia. Here's where to watch the UEFA Champions League final: Advertisement Where to watch: Paramount Plus (coverage starts at 1pm); Kickoff time: 3pm EST; Live from Allianz Arena, in Munich; Pre-match show: Linkin Park. Related: Seven Things You Didn't Know About PSG vs Inter Milan Champions League Final Related: Mikel Arteta to Support His Former Club in the Champions League Final Related: Beckham's Champions League Livestream Returns with Tom Cruise and Celebrity Chaos This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Fan violence ahead of soccer final between Chelsea and Real Betis leads to 28 arrests
Fan disorder ahead of a European soccer final between Chelsea and Real Betis in the Polish city of Wroclaw has led to 28 people being arrested, police said Wednesday. Police used stun grenades and a water cannon against the teams' fans who were disturbing public order in the city, Polish state news agency PAP reported, adding that there were scuffles between supporters and bottles were thrown. The disorder took place hours between the UEFA Conference League final between the teams. Łukasz Dutkowiak, a sergeant for Lower Silesian police, said officers restored order after initial altercations between Chelsea and Betis fans before making arrests of people who took part in the brawls following analysis of surveillance footage, PAP reported. In a post on X saying '28 foreign hooligans' had been arrested, Tomasz Siemoniak, minister of the interior and administration, said 'the police are acting decisively. Zero tolerance!' ___
