If You Know Their History: AJAX

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Police used CS gas to halt Celtic fans UEFA Champions Leauge riot

http://news.stv.tv/west-central/257444-btp-officer-cleared-over-cs-gas-use-after-celtic-ajax-match-glasgow/

Police have been cleared of using CS gas to deal with rival football fans fighting on the day of Celtic’s Champions League clash with Ajax in Glasgow.

The incident outside a pub close to Bridgeton Railway Station in the city’s east end involved a group of more than 15 rival football supporters.

The men ignored repeated warnings from officers from British Transport Police (BTP), including warnings that CS gas would be used if they did not stop fighting.

One of the officers discharged the spray to which the men dispersed and stopped fighting.

It was one incident on a day where fan trouble was reported in parts of the city as the Dutch team travelled to Glasgow for a Champion’s League match with Celtic.

An independent investigation by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has found the BTP officer was justified in using the spray when dealing with the violent clash after the match.

The incident happened near a pub in the Bridgeton area of the city on October 22, the day of a Celtic v Ajax game.

In his report into the incident, commissioner Professor John McNeill said the two officers who were outnumbered by fighting fans had handled a violent situation professionally.

He added the use of the spray by one of the officers was proportionate and justified.

Professor McNeill said: “I am satisfied that the officers managed the incident professionally. Had the officer not used the Captor spray, there is a likelihood that the situation would have continued to escalate and place those involved, members of the public and police officers at risk.

“I have however recommended to British Transport Police that the procedures for using the spray in areas aside from railway premises should be updated to ensure that officers have clear instruction and guidance on using Captor Spray in areas aside from railway station concourses, platforms and tracks, namely near or on public roads, where their officers are sometimes deployed.”

Following the discharge of any police firearm, the BTP referred the matter to the PIRC for independent investigation.

PIRC investigators visited the scene, reviewed relevant documents and procedures, read statements from the police officers involved, viewed CCTV footage, and listened to airwave transmissions.

A BTP spokesman said: "We have received the report and note its findings."

Friday, November 22, 2013

5 Celtic thugs jailed for Amsterdam riot

http://news.stv.tv/west-central/249707-five-celtic-fans-given-jail-terms-for-assaulting-amsterdam-police/

Five Celtic fans have been given jail sentences for attacking police officers when violence broke out in Amsterdam city centre ahead of a Champions League match.

A sixth suspect was acquitted when a judge at the city’s District Court found there was not enough evidence against him.

Two of the men, Padraig Mullen and Damian Dobbin, were jailed for two months, two others, Tam Kennedy and Andy Vance, for six weeks and a fifth, Joseph McPherson, for one month, after they were found guilty of using violence against police. All five were released immediately pending an appeal.

The court also awarded damages of €500 to one of six police officers who were injured in the incident and €250 each to three others.

The six men, aged 20 to 49, were arrested after trouble flared in Dam Square hours before Celtic played Ajax in a Champions League match on November 6.

The court heard the incident was triggered when a group of Ajax supporters stole and ran off with a Celtic supporters’ flag.

Videos posted on YouTube and shown in court showed the men grappling with plainclothes police officers who appeared to beat and kick them.

The judge said the fans had been on edge because of an incident the night before in the Old Sailor Cafe where Ajax fans launched an unprovoked attack on travelling supporters.

He said the eruption of violence in Dam Square the next day was unacceptable and police were entitled to use force in restraining the feuding fans.

He rejected an attempt by defence lawyer Christian Visser to have the case thrown out on the grounds that the level of force used was excessive.

The judge admitted it was difficult to work out the exact course of events from the dossiers submitted by police and the video footage from the scene.

But he ruled that there was enough evidence to convict five of the men on trial.

He argued that they could have left the scene when the violence began, but chose to stay in Dam Square and used violence against police.

During Thursday’s hearing Mr Visser called for the six men to be freed, arguing they had been subjected to disproportionate violence by police officers dressed in plain clothes who mingled with the crowd.

He also argued that the police statements were unreliable and failed to identify which supporters had been involved in the fracas. In statements the defendants said they were unaware the people they were fighting were police officers.

Two supporters, Andy Vance and Padraig Mullan, were detained in custody for more than two weeks in the lead-up to the court date.

Police arrested 44 supporters during the incident, including 18 Celtic supporters. Twelve of the fans of the Parkhead club were previously released after being fined up to €500, while another ten were sent home before the game.

The force said six plainclothes officers were injured in the incident, which resulted in riot and mounted police attending Dam Square.

The club have previously stated that they were investigating the incident and said that the violence came after their fans had been "subjected to a high degree of provocation".

On the eve of the match, a large number of masked Ajax supporters attacked Celtic supporters in the Old Sailor Cafe in the city’s red light district. Nine Dutch fans were arrested in the incident, which was caught on police CCTV.

Local TV station AT5 recorded an interview with a Celtic supporter who sustained injuries to his face. He said: "Police came right through the middle hitting everybody and anybody. If you weren’t quick to move out the way, that’s what you got."

An image of a police dog biting a Celtic fan in Dam Square was captured by an agency photographer.

Mr Visser has said Vance and Mullan should be freed immediately and branded the Dutch police hooligans over the clashes.

The Netherlands Embassy in London said the public prosecution service in Holland had received "video footage and photographic material of the disturbances" which are being reviewed. It also said the Dutch police are "conducting an internal review of the incident."

The Fans Against Criminalisation organised an evidence gathering session in Glasgow at the weekend to compile accounts from fans who were in Amsterdam during the violence that broke out between 5pm and 6pm. The group planned to submit information they compiled to the lawyers representing the Celtic fans at the trial.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Video: Celtic fans in worst violence for years

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/video-celtic-fans-in-worst-violence-for-years-1-3177674

Celtic have announced that an internal investigation will be carried out on the skirmishes between fans that broke out in Amsterdam’s city centre on Wednesday night.

Six Celtic fans will be brought before a judge today after some of the worst football-related violence involving a British team in recent years.

Eighteen remained in custody in the Netherlands last night, 12 of whom were due to be released after paying fines in the region of €500 (£420).

In total, 44 people were arrested following Wednesday night’s disorder, 28 of them Scottish, with some already having been fined and released.

Dutch police said the violence was triggered by Dutch fans stealing a Scottish flag, with the travelling supporters throwing glass bottles in retaliation. Plain-clothes police then stepped in and the fighting ensued.

Videos posted to YouTube show trouble on the streets of Amsterdam before Celtic’s Champions League game against Ajax. Fans are seen throwing bottles at people as they board a tram.

Police armed with batons, including many on horseback, are seen attempting to bring the situation under control.

Fans clash with other fans, and with police. During the violence some fans can be seen wearing Celtic shirts, while others are chanting, “Celtic, Celtic”.

Later, the streets are shown to be littered with debris, including smashed glass from a number of beer bottles. A few dazed and apparently injured people can been seen being helped to their feet by police.

A police spokesman said: “Six people will be brought in front of an investigative judge and he will decide what happens next. They have been held for fighting with police.”

Asked what started the disorder, he added: “It looks like a few Ajax fans took a Scottish flag and then some people started throwing bottles at them.”

Police officers in plain clothes went to arrest them and all hell broke loose. They were throwing bottles at other people who had taken the flag.

“Eight police officers were injured – broken nose, holes in their heads, eyebrows cut. One policeman was knocked unconscious.”

He said he was not aware of any fans of either club being seriously injured.

Celtic last night issued a statement claiming its supporters were subjected to “a high degree of provocation” and that there had been “an organised attack on a group” in Amsterdam.

It read: “There is no question Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation.” The club announced it had opened an internal investigation to “fully understand events” in response to claims from their fans that they were poorly treated.

But it added: “We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.

Second night of violence

There had earlier been trouble on Tuesday, the night before the game, when dozens of Dutch hooligans descended on the Old Sailor Cafe, in the city’s red light district.

They banged on the glass and at least one man was repeatedly punched before police arrived. The whole incident lasted less than a minute. Nine Ajax fans were arrested.

There has been repeated problems with Dutch football hooliganism in recent years and two weeks ago Ajax fans ripped up 300 seats and damaged the stadium at Celtic Park following a fixture between the sides which Celtic won 2-1.

Fans ‘provoked’, say Celtic

Celtic said in a statement on their website: “We have been informed that there are five individuals detained in Holland. We are not clear if they have any formal association with the Club, however, we will be liaising with the local authorities in Amsterdam, our own police and the British Consulate in order to fully understand events. We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.

“In addition, we have received numerous complaints from Celtic supporters in relation to their treatment in Amsterdam, which we will also investigate fully.

“There is no question that Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation.”

The club added: “Once again the overwhelming majority of our supporters behaved impeccably.”

There has been repeated problems with Dutch football hooliganism in recent years, and two weeks ago Ajax fans ripped up seats and damaged the stadium at Celtic Park following another fixture between the two sides.

28 Celtic fans arrested after Amsterdam carnage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24850753

View video of violence here

Dutch Police have arrested 44 people - 28 of them Scots - after violence flared in Amsterdam before Celtic's Champions League game against Ajax.

Six Celtic fans have been charged with being violent in public and are due to appear before a judge on Friday.

A further 12 have been freed after paying fines of up to 500 euros and 10 were freed without charge.

Dutch Police said eight officers were hurt after being attacked with bottles and sticks by Celtic fans.

“Start Quote

There is no question that Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation”

Celtic Football Club statement

Some of the disorder was said by police to have been sparked by Dutch fans getting hold of a flag which Celtic supporters had been holding.

Celtic Football Club said it was aware that a number of individuals had been detained.

In a statement, the club added: "We are not clear if they have any formal association with the club, however, we will be liaising with the local authorities in Amsterdam, our own police and the British Consulate in order to fully understand events.

"We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.

"In addition, we have received numerous complaints from Celtic supporters in relation to their treatment in Amsterdam, which we will also investigate fully.

"There is no question that Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation."

The club added that the "overwhelming majority" of its supporters behaved impeccably.

'Knocked unconscious'

Police Scotland said they were aware of disorder in Amsterdam and they would work with Dutch colleagues to identify anyone involved in the trouble.

On Wednesday night, Dutch police said a number of people had been arrested following incidents of disorder in Amsterdam, particularly in Dam Square, where Celtic fans had gathered.

A Dutch police spokesman said: "At the end of the afternoon a large group of Celtic supporters attacked police officers in plain clothes.

"Eight were injured and one was knocked unconscious. A few of them had broken noses and needed stitches above their eyebrows and on their lips.

"Bottles and sticks were used in the attack which came out of nowhere."

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "As is normal practice during international tournaments, Police Scotland has deployed officers to Amsterdam for the Ajax v Celtic match, and we have been working closely with Dutch police and authorities in relation to security at this fixture.

"We have been made aware of some disorder in Amsterdam... with a number of Celtic fans having been arrested.

"We will continue to work with our Dutch colleagues to identify anyone responsible for carrying out acts of disorder."

Police knocked unconscious by Celtic fans in Amsterdam riot

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/eight-amsterdam-police-officers-hurt-in-celtic-clashes-8925736.html

Eight police officers were injured in a clash between football fans and officers before Celtic's Champions League match against Ajax in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam police said 15 fans were arrested after the incident in the city centre before kick-off yesterday.

The police force said fans armed with bottles and sticks attacked plain-clothed officers in an incident described as "coming out of nowhere".

One officer was knocked unconscious in the fighting in Dam Square.

Police said the majority of those arrested were Celtic fans, although it is believed that supporters from other clubs were also involved.

A police spokesman said: "At the end of the afternoon a large group of Celtic supporters attacked police officers in plain clothes.

"Eight were injured and one was knocked unconscious. A few of them had broken noses and needed stitches above their eyebrows and on their lips.

"Bottles and sticks were used in the attack which came out of nowhere. There were 15 arrests, mostly Celtic supporters."

Celtic lost the match 1-0 and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

Before the match Celtic urged fans in the city to be "extra vigilant" after a group of supporters were attacked in a city centre bar.

It was reported around 50 supporters were in the Old Sailor Cafe in the city when they were attacked by a group of masked men on Tuesday night.

There were no serious injuries and a number of people were arrested.

The attack follows trouble last month when a group of Ajax fans ripped up and threw seats at police and home fans as the teams played in Glasgow.

Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against the Dutch club after the clashes with police and stewards at Parkhead during a match which the home side won 2-1.

A disciplinary case is to be heard on November 21.

The night before the match at Celtic Park, British Transport Police arrested two Dutch fans over alleged disorder in Glasgow Central train station.

Around 12,000 Celtic fans were expected in Holland for last night's match and the club said fans should not travel to the stadium unless they had a ticket for the Celtic section.

A club statement issued before the match said: "Celtic are urging all supporters to be extra vigilant in the city centre and at the Amsterdam ArenA, and to only stick to the advised areas for safety reasons."

Shocking video shows extent of Celtic fans Amsterdam riot

Celtic fans attack police
http://youtu.be/Ny86q_XVjQg?t=2m36s

Celtic fans attack women and children taking a trip on an Amsterdam tram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbVLYzcWNA&app=desktop

Celtic fans armed with stick set upon Police

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...Amsterdam.html

Celtic's Champions League trip to Ajax was marred by a clash between supporters and police in the centre of Amsterdam before kick-off, following which 15 fans have been arrested.

Amsterdam Police said that fans armed with bottles and sticks attacked plain-clothed police in an incident described as 'coming out of nowhere'.

Eight police officers were injured with one knocked unconscious following the fighting in Dam Square, in the city centre

Police said the majority of those arrested were Celtic fans, although it is believed that supporters from other clubs were also involved.

'At the end of the afternoon a large group of Celtic supporters attacked police officers in plain clothes,' a spokesman said.

'Eight were injured and one was knocked unconscious.

'A few of them had broken noses and needed stitches above their eyebrows and on their lips.

'Bottles and sticks were used in the attack which came out of nowhere.

'There were 15 arrests, mostly Celtic supporters.'

Celtic lost the match 1-0 and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

Amsterdam Police said it expected the number of 15 arrests to rise during the night and that a final figures would be 'high'.

It is thought that fans from other European clubs were involved, although police said they 'had kept themselves covered'.

Celtic supporters had been urged by the club to be careful after an attack on Hoops supporters in a city-centre bar on Tuesday night.

Thousands of Celtic supporters flooded into Holland for the Group H game at the Amsterdam ArenA.
A statement on the Celtic website said: 'Celtic Football Club is urging all supporters in Amsterdam for tonight's UEFA Champions League tie with Ajax to be extra vigilant following an unprovoked attack on Celtic fans last night

'The attack in the city centre by an element of the Ajax support resulted in a number of arrests.

'Celtic are urging all supporters to be extra vigilant in the city centre and at the Amsterdam ArenA, and to only stick to the advised areas for safety reasons.'

At the pre-match media conference on Tuesday afternoon, Ajax coach Frank De Boer expressed hope that the tiny percentage of fans he describes as "crazy" would not disrupt the game.

As thousands of supporters arrived in Holland, there were reports of violence after a gang of Dutch hooligans attacked a city centre pub where many had gathered. Throughout the day, there had been an uneasy truce in the city centre.

However, the mood quickly turned ugly when scores of riot police arrived in the area to marshal fans towards the stadium on the outskirts of Amsterdam.

Supporters set off flares and green smoke bombs outside the Dutch Royal Palace.
Shortly before 5pm, the police moved in on the Celtic fans, using dogs and horses to clear the square.

Celtic fans used bottles to attack police before UEFA Champions League match

Sky Sports News

Amsterdam Police have blamed a group of Celtic fans for the trouble in the city before Wednesday's Champions League tie against Ajax.

A spokesman for the police said 'a number of Celtic fans' were among those arrested during the clashes in Dam Square in the early hours of Wednesday evening.

A group of Celtic supporters who were gathered in the centre of the city became the target of what appeared to be an organised gang who soon began exchanging taunts before throwing missiles in their direction.

Riot police were swiftly on the scene and they were soon joined by scores of plain-clothes officers.

It is thought a number of Celtic fans charged by mounted police responded by throwing bottles and missiles which resulted in the injuries to the officers.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Amsterdam Police Inspector Rob Van Der Veen said: "Thirtynine people have been arrested and 27 of them are still in custody. We are dealing with them.

"I am not sure how many of them are Celtic supporters but there are a number of them, along with Ajax fans, in that group."

Asked to clarify the reasons for the arrests, Mr Van Der Veen said: "At a certain moment there were around 1,500 Celtic fans on Dam Square.

"There were also police officers in riot gear and also police officers in plain clothes.

"At a certain moment a big group of the Celtic fans turned against the policemen in plain clothes and there was a big fight.

"This resulted in eight of our officers being injured, with broken noses, cuts to their faces, heads and lips. Some of the fans used bottles to hit the officers, which was not a nice sight."

Dutch press report Celtic fans mayhem

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/22035492/__Supporters_verwonden_agenten__.html

http://www.telegraaf.nl/tv/nieuws/ttvnieuws/22034707/__Schotten_lak_aan_bierverbod__.html

Eight police officers in hospital after Celtic fans storm Amsterdam

www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Football/2013/11/07/Eight-police-officers-in-hospital-after-Amsterdam-clashes.aspx

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Eight police officers needed hospital treatment and more than 15 football fans were arrested following violent clashes ahead of Wednesday's Champions' League match between Scotland's Celtic and Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Amsterdam police said a large crowd of Celtic supporters turned on a group of plainclothes police officers in Dam Square, the city's historic heart shortly before 1700 GMT.

"The officers took quite a beating," said spokesman Rob van der Veen. "One of the officers was unconscious, another had his nose broken."

Earlier on Wednesday, the mayor of Amsterdam issued an emergency order allowing the police to remove people they judged to be a threat to public order.

Dutch media reported that fans attacked the police with thrown bottles and sticks. News portal nu.nl reported that fans of Belgian club Anderlecht and Germany's St Pauli were also in the city.

Large numbers of Dinamo Zagreb fans are also in Amsterdam before Thursday's Europa League match against Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.

(Reporting By Thomas Escritt)

Celtic fans arrested following clash with police before Champions League match against Ajax

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/celtic-urge-vigilance-by-fans-after-attack-in-amsterdam-bar.1383746684