POLICE have drawn up a hit list of known hooligans capable of disrupting the Scottish Cup final.

At least 50 football casuals have been identified at round-table talks aimed at rooting out troublemakers bent on exploiting tensions surrounding the biggest Capital derby in history.

And it is understood the prospect of rogue Chelsea fans infiltrating the Hearts support and stirring up disorder was also discussed at the security summit, though these fears are thought to have subsided with the English club now competing in the Champions League final in Munich on the same day.

Official figures for the Lothians show 13 people are currently banned from Scottish football matches – six Hearts fans and seven Hibs supporters – but this number does not include those barred under bail restrictions for alleged hooligan or offensive behaviour.

Police in Strathclyde said crackdowns on hooligan elements would be intelligence-led and vowed to deal “robustly” with any outbreaks of disorder at the fixture which is considered a high risk – on a par with an Old Firm game.

Strict security measures will be in place at Hampden, including sniffer dogs trained to detect smoke bombs and flares. Post-match revelry in Edinburgh will provide the biggest headache for Lothian and Borders Police, with officers expected to tour selected licensed premises to provide a visible presence across the city.

A series of policing and security meetings have been held between police forces in Glasgow and Edinburgh, British Transport Police and both Capital clubs.

It is understood all have shared information about potential hooligan elements but it was noted that despite the rivalry, Hibs and Hearts fans are generally of impeccable behaviour.

But an insider, close to the talks, spoke today of the “what if” factor. He said: “There has been talk of fans connected to Chelsea coming to the cup final as well but their involvement in the Champions League final might make that less likely. These people communicate over social media and decide where they are going to fight – it may have nothing to do with the game itself. Chelsea have an alignment with Rangers and Hearts, often against an element within Hibs and Celtic.

“There are people who are ‘risk supporters’ who do not have banning orders enforced by the court. Despite this, they may be deemed to be the type of person who could commit a misdemeanour at the football. There are at least 50 of these people.”

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said there was “nothing to suggest” Chelsea supporters would infiltrate the Scottish Cup final.

But the source added: “We have intelligence that this upcoming game might pose some grief with the bringing of smoke bombs or pyrotechnics into the ground.

“The clubs and police have had more meetings for this fixture than most other fixtures. Usually there might be around two meetings but this time it’s been at least double that.”

Chief Superintendent Gill Imery, divisional commander for Edinburgh, said: “While the vast majority of Hearts and Hibernian fans are only interested in supporting their respective teams during Saturday’s match, a small minority may look to cause disruption and behave in an aggressive or criminal manner.

“A number of people associated with both teams are currently subject to football banning orders and officers from British Transport Police, Lothian and Borders Police and Strathclyde Police will be monitoring the travelling supporters to ensure none of these individuals are able to make their way to the national stadium.”

Cup final song to clock up 100,000 views

With just two days to go until the Hampden clash, the Evening News cup final song Go East is nearing an incredible 100,000 views on YouTube.

The track – a spoof version of Go West by the Pet Shop Boys – was released nine days ago.

The success is equivalent to one view every seven seconds for the past week.

Interest in the video has been huge among Edinburgh and Glasgow football fans but also from Scots overseas.

A huge number of views have come from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as countries in Africa, Asia and South America. The video has been covered in other media including Sky Sports, The Guardian, STV, Real Radio, Forth One and Clyde 1.

Editor Frank O’Donnell said: “The song is a celebration of Edinburgh. It’s something we don’t do enough of in the Capital.”

Call for new Scots law to tackle ticket touts

A SCOTS MEP has called for new laws to combat ticket touts at football matches after Scottish Cup final briefs were reportedly being sold on at up to ten times their face value.

SNP member Alyn Smith today urged the Scottish Parliament to outlaw those profiteering from popular football matches.

Under current legislation, it is illegal to tout tickets in England and Wales, but Mr Smith said regulations in Scotland are much looser.

Mr Smith said: “The huge demand for tickets has seen a black market quickly form, with fans having to fork over ten times the face value if they wish to witness arguably the biggest Edinburgh derby of all time.

“It is clear that the current legislation, which dates back to 1982 and only outlaws touting in a public place, isn’t working. We need a new law which properly takes into account advances such as online sales and auctions.

“Legislation prohibiting the resale of tickets for domestic and international fixtures could quickly stomp out the problem.”

Confident fan gets win tattoo

one Hearts fan is so convinced his team will win the Scottish Cup he has had “Winners 2012” tattooed on his arm.

Derek Thomas from Dalkeith, who got the tattoo after exchanging banter with Dundee fans while on holiday in Benidorm, said: “I’ve a feeling it’s our year. If not I’ll be putting in for overtime to pay for removal surgery.”

Wags kick off preparations

THE clubs’ Wags are getting ready for the big day, with a trim and pamper.

Victoria Parkinson, girlfriend of Hearts ace Ian Black, and Jilly Mills, partner of Hibs full-back Callum Booth, sat next to each other in Cheynes salon as they were treated to a head massage, shampoo and set, with champagne and cupcakes to complete the preparations.

• Planning on travelling to the match? Click here for police information

• All Scottish fans and players get code of conduct in crackdown on sectarianism
  

  PLAYERS, officials and supporters of every team in Scottish football will be asked to abide by a code of conduct by the end of the new season, as part of efforts to root out sectarianism and disorder from the game.

  0 Comments

• Match police put on red alert for violence
  

  LOTHIAN and Borders Police today pledged they would be ready for any crowd violence at the midweek match between Hibs and Aberdeen.

  0 Comments

• My biggest regret.. still far too many road deaths
  

  AFTER five years as chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, Paddy Tomkins has just left the force to take up the post of Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland. He spent time reflecting on his years in charge of the Capital’s police.

  0 Comments

• Brown brands Rangers riot fans ‘a disgrace’
  

  GORDON Brown questioned yesterday whether the laws on drinking in public places needed to be toughened up, as he branded Rangers fans who went on the rampage in Manchester “a disgrace”.

  0 Comments

• All Scottish fans and players get code of conduct in crackdown on sectarianism
  

  PLAYERS, officials and supporters of every team in Scottish football will be asked to abide by a code of conduct by the end of the new season, as part of efforts to root out sectarianism and disorder from the game.

  0 Comments

Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.

Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/news/police-target-troublemakers-ahead-of-biggest-edinburgh-derby-in-history-1-2300230

Article source: http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/120517/funny-video-slovakian-football-hooligan-sets-flare-his-face-172271

LONDON

The head of English soccer has raised concerns with UEFA President Michel Platini that players and fans could be racially abused at European Championship matches in Ukraine.

English authorities have been warning that far-right soccer hooligans could spark racist violence at the tournament this summer, which is being co-hosted with Poland.

“I had a meeting with Michel Platini two weeks ago and I raised the subject with him,” Football Association chairman David Bernstein said Tuesday. “UEFA are taking the whole potential situation very, very seriously.”

Anti-racism groups investigated an 18-month period up to March 2011 and found 195 incidents at matches in Poland and Ukraine.

All three of England’s group stage matches are in Ukraine, and referees have the power to stop matches if players are being racially abused.

“We are working on all sorts of contingency plans both for possible issues in stadia or outside the stadia,” Bernstein told a British parliamentary hearing into soccer racism. “There are all sorts of things that could happen in Ukraine. We sincerely hope they don’t happen, but we are preparing very carefully for any eventualities.”

A 24-strong British police presence will be in Poland and Ukraine.

“I think football hooliganism is more of a problem in the Ukraine than perhaps it is at home,” said assistant chief constable Andy Holt, who is heading the British police delegation at Euro 2012. “I don’t think they are as advanced in dealing with racism.”

English soccer, though, has been grappling with its own renewed problems with racism in the past year.

John Terry is due to face trial in July on a charge of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October, which led to the Chelsea defender being stripped of the England captaincy.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra, who is black, during another October match. Suarez was initially backed by Liverpool, whose players were condemned by anti-racism groups for wearing T-shirts featuring the Uruguayan’s picture in a show of solidarity.

While not commenting on the Suarez case, Bernstein criticized clubs for backing players even if they are accused of serious offenses like racism.

“Clubs do tend to act like a large family. They do tend to rally round and support each other. They do tend to draw the wagons around and this sort of they all hate us type of thing that makes us stronger,” Bernstein said. “It’s something that’s prevalent in many if not most clubs. … Should clubs be more introspective? Yes, I think they should attempt to be, most certainly.

“But having chaired a club, I know it’s quite difficult. There is a strong temptation to do everything one can to get a winning situation, a winning team, and that includes supporting your colleagues almost right or wrong. So it’s a cultural thing, but I think it does need looking at.”

The head of England’s players’ union told the parliamentary hearing that black players fear facing a “torrent of abuse” if they complain about racism in the wake of the Terry and Suarez cases.

“The last thing I want after this season’s incidents is for black players to not feel comfortable with the process, that if they do make a complaint that it won’t be addressed properly,” Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said. “I also feel there is an element of belief among my younger black players that it’s still, `Hmm, I can make a complaint, but…’”

Article source: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-05/D9UPSQHG1.htm

Copy and paste the HTML below to embed this audio onto your web page.

Audio player code:
iframe title=”minnesota_news_programs_mpr_news_presents_2012_05_16_mpr_news_presents_20120516_64s_player” type=”text/html” width=”319″ height=”83″ src=”http://minnesota.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/syndicate.php?name=minnesota/news/programs/mpr_news_presents/2012/05/16/mpr_news_presents_20120516_64″ marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ frameborder=”0″ allowFullScreen/iframe

Corruption and a growing concern for head injury have put college football in the spotlight. Are football programs’ millions in profits exploitation? Or are they still a celebration of amateur sport? Does football’s inherent danger and violence have any place in institutions of higher learning? Or does it provide young men with educational opportunities they would not otherwise have?

Guests

• YES, BAN: Buzz Bissinger: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. “Friday Night Lights.” Sports columnist for The Daily Beast and contributing editor at Vanity Fair.
• YES, BAN: Malcolm Gladwell: Author of “The Tipping Point.” Staff writer, The New Yorker. In the 2009 New Yorker article, “Offensive Play,” he asked: how different are dogfighting and football?
• NO, DON’T BAN: Tim Green: Former NFL defensive end and football broadcaster. New York Times best-selling author, coach and lawyer specializing in energy law.
• NO, DON’T BAN: Jason Whitlock: FOXSports.com national columnist. 2008 National Journalism Award from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the first sports writer to win the award.

Resources

• Intelligence Squared US website

<!– Listen to call-in show audio –>

Article source: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/05/16/mpr_news_presents/?refid=0

Ashley posted: “Unfortunately my dad and I have taken the decision not to travel to the Ukraine because of the fear of possible racists attacks confrontations [sic].

“Some things aren’t worth taking the risk, but begs the question why hold a competition of this magnitude in a place that cannot police itself.”

Ukrainian football hooligans with racist tendencies have been the subject of recent exposes. Roy Hodgson expressed concerns yesterday about the safety of English fans next month.

Article source: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/walcotts-family-will-not-take-risk-of-going-to-euros-7758217.html

Neo Nazi hooligans will be targeting  England fans. The Donetsk Company, a firm of football hooligans that ‘support’ Shaktar Donetsk, is led by Tonek, a 20 year-old unemployed man, who leads the firm.  He spoke to Sky Sports News recently, but warned them not to ask any ‘provocative’ questions.

“I am not afraid of the English (hooligans).  Words have to be backed up by actions,”  said Tonek of his opposition ‘fans.’

The leaders of the Donetsk Company only talked for a few minutes to Sky, hoping for a convenient cash windfall.  They did not give away much however.

Sky reporters though, secretly followed the gang and it was obvious how much they hate foreigners.

“I would love to beat them up but I cannot as I don’t want to go to jail because of it,” – one was quoted as saying.  Tolek and Marek follow Shaktar all over Europe.  Five years ago, they were shocked by what they saw when they traveled to Scotland for a game against Celtic:  ”Many, many, many Indians and f**ckin P***ies,”  they say.

They also talked of their hatred of Tottenham and the fact that the club are associated with Jews.  Tolek then makes a gas noise in reference to the Holocaust.

Ukranian riot police have been in training for the event, with police enforcing a  ”zero tolerance”  policy to racism and violence at Euro 2012.

Donetsk City Department of Police Chief Roman Romanov has stated:  ”As far as I know, racism is a problem throughout the world.  That is why we are paying special attention to it.  We will use our laws and our courts to protect people of different races and from different countries.”

Shaktar Donetsk versus  Dinamo Kiev is the biggest football match in Ukraine.  On the morning of the game, Shaktar and Dinamo Ultras arrange to meet and fight in disused wasteland. There are of course no rules. The fight lasts less than one minute with kicks to the head and groin common.  Kiev’s five man advantage means that they win comfortably, with several Shaktar Ultras needing hospital care for broken bones.

The Donetsk Ultras are racists obsessed with Hitler and violence.  They have advised black and Asian England supporters to stay at home.  They have also warned England supporters not to  provoke them in any way.  Most worryingly for visiting fans perhaps is that Donetsk and Kiev Ultras have agreed a summer truce to come together and  ”protect the honor of Ukraine.”

Combat 18 (who were responsible for the 1995 Lansdowne Road riots) are also reportedly making efforts to get into the country to fight with those Ukranian hooligans.  The winner of England’s group (also containing France, Sweden and Ukraine) play the runners-up of the Republic of Ireland’s group at the quarter finals of Euro 2012 in Kiev.

Article source: http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer_irish/106522/

“I raised the subject with him in a meeting,” said Bernstein. “UEFA are taking the whole potential situation very, very seriously.”

Anti-racism groups said that in the 18 months up to March 2011 there were 195 incidents at matches in the co-host countries.All three of England’s group matches are in Ukraine — two in Donetsk and one in Kiev.

“We are working on all sorts of contingency plans both for possible issues in stadia or outside the stadia,” said Bernstein.

“There are all sorts of things that could happen in Ukraine. We sincerely hope they don’t happen but we are preparing very carefully for any eventualities.

“I think football hooliganism is more of a problem in the Ukraine than perhaps it is at home. I don’t think they are as advanced in dealing with racism.”

Article source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/football/fa-tell-platini-of-fears-over-racist-violence-at-finals-7757654.html

English authorities have been warning that far-right soccer hooligans could spark racist violence at the tournament this summer, which is being co-hosted with Poland.

“I had a meeting with Michel Platini two weeks ago and I raised the subject with him,” Football Association chairman David Bernstein said Tuesday. “UEFA are taking the whole potential situation very, very seriously.”

Anti-racism groups investigated an 18-month period up to March 2011 and found 195 incidents at matches in Poland and Ukraine.

All three of England’s group stage matches are in Ukraine, and referees have the power to stop matches if players are being racially abused.

“We are working on all sorts of contingency plans both for possible issues in stadia or outside the stadia,” Bernstein told a British parliamentary hearing into soccer racism. “There are all sorts of things that could happen in Ukraine. We sincerely hope they don’t happen, but we are preparing very carefully for any eventualities.”

A 24-strong British police presence will be in Poland and Ukraine.

“I think football hooliganism is more of a problem in the Ukraine than perhaps it is at home,” said assistant chief constable Andy Holt, who is heading the British police delegation at Euro 2012. “I don’t think they are as advanced in dealing with racism.”

English soccer, though, has been grappling with its own renewed problems with racism in the past year.

John Terry is due to face trial in July on a charge of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October, which led to the Chelsea defender being stripped of the England captaincy.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra, who is black, during another October match.

Suarez initially was backed by Liverpool, whose players were condemned by anti-racism groups for wearing T-shirts featuring the Uruguayan’s picture in a show of solidarity.

While not commenting on the Suarez case, Bernstein criticized clubs for backing players even if they are accused of serious offenses such as racism.

“Clubs do tend to act like a large family. They do tend to rally round and support each other. They do tend to draw the wagons around and this sort of they all hate us type of thing that makes us stronger,” Bernstein said. “It’s something that’s prevalent in many if not most clubs. … Should clubs be more introspective? Yes, I think they should attempt to be, most certainly.

“But having chaired a club, I know it’s quite difficult. There is a strong temptation to do everything one can to get a winning situation, a winning team, and that includes supporting your colleagues almost right or wrong. So it’s a cultural thing, but I think it does need looking at.”

The head of England’s players’ union told the parliamentary hearing that black players fear facing a “torrent of abuse” if they complain about racism in the wake of the Terry and Suarez cases.

“The last thing I want after this season’s incidents is for black players to not feel comfortable with the process, that if they do make a complaint that it won’t be addressed properly,” Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said. “I also feel there is an element of belief among my younger black players that it’s still, ‘Hmm, I can make a complaint, but . . . ‘ “

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Article source: http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7934470/english-soccer-concerned-racial-abuse-european-championship

This disgusting behaviour is unfortunately not something new in Turkey. When Galatasaray played another Istanbul-based rival Besiktas last November, its defender, Emmanuel Eboue, a black player … was pelted with fruit and stones and had flares and sharpened coins thrown at him. The rottenness in Turkish football may go even deeper. An inquiry has just concluded that allegations of match-fixing are baseless. However many fans and sports commentators remain sceptical of the findings….

It was not so long ago that football violence was almost unknown in the Middle East and we looked with horror at the thuggery in British and German football. Europe still has its football violence but it has managed … to stem the very worst excesses. Maybe the Turkish and Egyptian football authorities should be following Europe’s tactics. These were first of all to pinpoint the troublemakers, prosecute them and if they re-offended ban them from all football grounds, in some cases forever. However the sanctions went further. If the fans of any club were implicated in criminal conduct, the club itself was punished, either by a fine or worse…. Initial protests by club owners and fans … were studiously ignored….— (May 15)

Article source: http://dawn.com/2012/05/17/football-hooligans/

Football and hooliganism once again dominates Turkey’s politics, as more than 48 people who have been involved in the incidents that broke out between Turkish police and Fenerbahce fans after the Fenerbahçe Galatasaray derby in Istanbul on May 12 were detained and transferred to court.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – The 48 vandalism suspects had been sent to the Kadıköy courthouse after they had been taken into police custody. They were transferred to court with a demand for their arrest on charges of ‘resisting the police’,’ damaging public property’ and ‘causing public indignation’ in the wake of the Spor Toto Super League match at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on May 12. The Fenerbahce Galatasaray derby game ended in a goalless draw. Galatasaray won the Turkish league title for a 18th time at the home stadium of its archrival, Fenerbahce.

The aftermath of Fenerbahce Galatasaray derby was nothing like Turkey has ever witnessed before

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday expressed his strong disapproval of the after match violence and noted fanaticism was what lay behind violence and intolerance in sports.

‘ Personally, I go berserk when I see how ladies curse even in a match that is closed to [male] fans and open to women and children,’ Tayyip Erdoğan stated during his governing party AKP (Justice and Development Party) group meeting at the Turkish Parliament.

The 2011-2012 season is unfortunately remembered for violence, match-fixing scandal and its aftermath, conflict and fighting rather than fair play, courtesy, sportsmanship and tolerance, Tayyip Erdogan added, comparing the incidents in the derby game’s aftermath to terrorism.

Turkish PM : No one dare to put the blame on Fenerbahce fans

‘ Not a single person can dodge their responsibility in this merely by putting the blame on the Fenerbahce spectators’ shoulders,’ stated the Turkish prime minister also a Fenerbahce fan.

Turkish PM Tayyip Erdoğan lashed out at the handing of the championship trophy to Galatasaray in the locker room with the lights of Fenerbahce stadium turned off. ‘ All this business [trophy ceromony] ought to be carried out in the middle of the stadium, with honesty and chivalry. That is what we must see,’ he expressed.

Has Turkish police abused, provocated and used excessive force on Fenerbahce fans ?

Turkish media and a lot of conscious and socially aware Turks has been debating the Turkish police’s provocation of Fenerbahce fans and the extrem violence which initiated a reaction from Fenerbahce fans and the incidents.

Daily Radikal’s Bağış Erten said the Turkish police used ‘ disproportionate violence ‘ on the Fenerbahce fans, bomabarding them with gas bombs, while columnist Cengiz Çandar dismissed claims that Fenerbahçe fans were provoked by the police’s ‘ excessive and unnecessary use of force.

Article source: http://www.nationalturk.com/en/hooliganism-and-fan-violence-dominate-turkeys-political-agenda-18088