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."

Seven Celtic fans face trial over support of the IRA at Celtic Park

Paul Duke, 37, Ross Gallagher, 29, Christopher Bateman, 28, David Gallacher, 22, Sean Cowden, 21, Kieran Duffy, 18 and Greg Robertson, 28, have all appeared in court charged with the offence.

The seven men are alleged to have behaved in a way that "is likely or would be likely to incite public disorder" by singing a song in support of the Irish Republic Army (IRA) at Celtic Park.

All pled not guilty when they appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court, represented by Paul Kavanagh and a trial was set for next June.

Duke and Gallagher, from East Kilbride, Bateman, from Irvine, Gallacher, from Glasgow, Cowden from Rutherglen and Duffy from Coatbridge, are accused of singing the song, the Roll of Honour, at the champions league qualifier match against Elfsporg match on July 31.

Gallagher, Bateman and Robertson, from Glasgow, are accused of singing the song on August 3, at the first game of the season against Ross County.

Robertson faces a further charge, with Gallacher, of singing at a home game on August 24, against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/green-brigade-members-to-stand-trial-over-ira-song.1387297439

Celtic punished by UEFA for Terrorist banner

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/celtic-fined-50-000-euro-for-green-brigade-banner-1-3232518

Celtic have been fined 50,000 euro for a banner unfurled by the Green Brigade before their Champions League match against AC Milan,

The banner, which was reported to UEFA, featured a picture of William Wallace alongside hunger striker Bobby Sands which included a statement “the terrorist or the dreamer”.

UEFA’s control and disciplinary body met today to issue the penalty, which equates to £42,000, following a series of delays due to a “backlog” of cases. A statement on the club’s website today confirmed the penalty.

It read: “Clearly it is extremely disappointing that the Club must pay another sizeable penalty following the actions of a small minority, particularly given the previous assurances which were made to the Club and the widespread understanding of the likely outcome of such actions.

“Regrettably, due to previous charges being brought against the Club, again following the actions of a small minority, the fines imposed by UEFA are increasing in scale.

“It goes without saying that such actions must stop now, before the Club receives a competitive sanction or one which would affect our supporters attending European matches.

“We are Celtic supporters and we must now move on and look ahead to tomorrow’s match against Hibernian. We are sure our fans will come together, unite with the Club and support the team with the commitment and passion we are famous for, ensuring that Celtic Park once again provides a positive footballing occasion for all.”

Celtic were fined £4200 by UEFA earlier this season after their supporters set off fireworks in a Champions League qualifier against Cliftonville. They were also fined £21,000 18 months ago after fans unfurled a banner before a Europa League tie at Udinese that read: “F*** UEFA.”

It came shortly after Celtic were found guilty by UEFA of “illicit chanting” by their fans during the Europa League match at home to Rennes and fined £12,700.

Celtic face UEFA action over IRA banner shown during AC Milan match

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic for the display of an "illicit banner" during the Champions League match with AC Milan on Tuesday night.

The governing body's Control and Disciplinary will deal with the case on December 11.

On the banner, unfurled before the match, images of William Wallace and Bobby Sands were shown alongside the message: "The terrorist or the dreamer? The savage or the brave? Depends whose vote you are trying to catch or whose face you are trying to save."

UEFA's disciplinary code says clubs may be subject to disciplinary measures if supporters are found to have used "gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature".

The governing body told STV: "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Celtic FC for an incident of non-sporting nature at their UEFA Champions League match with AC Milan."

Celtic were fined £4,221 earlier in the season by UEFA after fireworks were set off by supporters during their Champions League qualifier with Cliftonville.

The club's fans also caused them to be fined twice during their Europa League campaign in the 2011/12 season.

In March 2012, UEFA fined Celtic £21,000 after supporters displayed an offensive banner and set off flares during an away game with Udinese.

Celtic were also fined £13,000 for "illicit chanting" in the same competition during a match with Rennes.

Police Scotland are also investigating after a laser pointer was allegedly used on AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati during Tuesday's match.

Although UEFA rules allow for action to be taken on such a case, the governing body have not stated they will act.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/250586-celtic-face-uefa-action-over-illicit-banner-shown-during-ac-milan-match/

Celtic fan arrested over laser light attack on AC Milan Goalkeeper

http://news.stv.tv/west-central/250533-man-shone-light-into-ac-milan-keepers-eyes-during-celtic-europe-tie/

A man has been reported to police in connection with reports of a laser light being shone on the face of AC Milan's goalkeeper during their Champions League tie with Celtic on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old is the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with the alleged incident in the 82nd minute of the match.

A green light appeared across the face of AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

The man is understood to have been reported by a steward, who referred the matter to the police.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 25-year-old is the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with allegedly shining a laser light onto the pitch at Celtic Park during the match."

It is understood that there were no complaints from players over the incident.

Celtic fans tribute to sectarian killers

Celtic fans displayed a banner supporting the sectarian killers from the Provisional IRA at last weekends Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen at Celtic Park .

The H Blocks at HM Prison Maze was used to house paramilitary prisoners during the Northern Ireland troubles.

The IRA killed more than 2000 people and injured many more during their campaign of sectarian violence.

Muted media reaction to Celtic fans terrorist display

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/26/celtic-milan-champions-league

Earlier, a contingent of Celtic's support had produced a selection of banners depicting William Wallace and Bobby Sands asking, among other things, about "the terrorist or the dreamer". Uefa may well take a dim view of such expression, should it deem it political. Those who offered it presumably failed in a day-release request from their time warp.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/celtic-out-as-milan-and-ajax-heap-on-misery-1-3209926#.UpWRX0Qdemo.twitter

It was a bracing night for Celtic, who might also face punishment from Uefa for a banner briefly unveiled by fans in a corner of the stadium where the Green Brigade gathers before kick-off, and which made a comparison between William Wallace and IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Up in the stands, Celtic had other worries to contend with, notably the antics of the Green Brigade, who are now pushing Celtic to the extremes of embarrassment and likely trouble. The Green Brigade have a faction who are determined to score public points about Irish Republicanism and the IRA. Anyone who delves into these football club/political narratives, on display all over Europe, knows how complicated they are. But one aspect is not complicated at all - trouble brews for Celtic whenever this group of supporters goes down this road. On Tuesday the Green Brigade displayed further words and images that will have made Peter Lawwell, the Celtic CEO, squirm in his seat. Graham Spiers, Blogger, The Herald

Horror at Celtic fans terrorist display at UEFA Champions League match

Football fans reacted with horror after a banner praising provisional IRA terrorist Bobby Sands was displayed by Celtic supporters at last nights UEFA Champions League game between Celtic and Italian giant AC Milan.

Few words better sum up the life of Bobby Sands than those of the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who commented that he was “… a convicted criminal who chose to take his own life…”
Sands joined the PIRA in 1972, after being involved in sectarian violence in Belfast for some time, which saw entire Protestant communities forced from areas of the city. As part of the sectarian campaign in Belfast the PIRA attempted to create safe areas from which to operate; entire streets and   areas were ethnically cleansed of Protestants.

The strategy was two-fold, primarily strategic as they attempted to create No-Go areas in which the terrorists could exert control over communities and also strike out at the security forces and the unionist community. It was also sectarian in nature, evidenced by the targets and the methodology of the terrorists. The nature of these attacks is best exemplified by Bloody Friday, 21 July 1972, when the indiscriminate terrorist bombing of civilian targets reached its bloody crescendo. By the end of that day, the PIRA's Belfast brigade had detonated at least 20 bombs across the city. Its original aim was also to catch those fleeing from the city centre at bus and train depots, with secondary devices. In just 75 minutes of violence and confusion, nine people were dead and some 130 more were mutilated, injured and mentally scarred by what they had witnessed.

The scale of the attack was huge, with two car bombs that between them claimed  nine lives - one at the Oxford Street bus station in the city centre, the other outside shops in Cavehill Road where the victims were two women and a 14-year-old schoolboy. At Oxford St, the busiest bus station in Northern Ireland, four Ulsterbus workers and two soldiers were killed. When the emergency services reached the scene, they found that some of the victims had been literally blown to pieces, leading to initial estimates of a death toll of 11. Of the 130 injured, 77 were women or children out shopping in the city centre.

Bobby Sands was involved in many of these bomb attacks which claimed countless lives in Belfast. His reign of terror thankfully was halted in October 1972, when he was arrested and charged with possession, after an arms dump containing four handguns were found in a safe house in which he was staying. Sentenced to three years imprisonment where he further developed his terrorist skills, upon release in 1976 he returned to his local unit and recommenced his criminal activity.

Within six months he was arrested again. This time he and a nine man team had been assembled. Their target - The Balmoral Furniture Company on the Upper Dunmurry Lane. Quite what this store had done on Republicans or how its destruction could further their dream of a United Ireland is beyond comprehension. However it must have been deemed a dangerous enough military objective that it would take no less than nine volunteers to ensure its destruction!

This attack was part of a campaign by Republicans based in the Twinbrook area to attack and force Protestant businesses and residents from that area. The IRA had targeted the store, in the full knowledge of the risk to staff and shoppers. The only reason that Republicans can cite for the attack was “...the extravagantly-priced furniture it sold…”. The plan was to petrol bomb the premises and then to lay explosive charges to spread the flames.

The attackers left nothing to chance taking weapons and explosives. However the swift and courageous action by an RUC patrol led to the wounding of two terrorists and arrest of all six. Officers although outnumbered and at considerable risk to themselves returned fire and injured two terrorists Seamus Martin and Gabriel Corbett. The other four arsonists failed in a farcical attempt to escape by car, and surrendered to police. They included Bobby Sands and Joe O’Donnell who would both later die on hunger strike. Also in the car were Seamus Finucane, brother of Patrick Finucane, and Sean Laverty. The arresting police found a handgun in the car; however the four terrorists appeared too frightened to put up any resistance.

Sands was held on remand for eleven months until his trial in September 1977 where he refused to recognise the court. Despite this contempt for the court he and the other four were sentenced to fourteen years each for possession of the revolver. He entered prison relatively unknown, another young volunteer with no family ties to the movement who had been sucked in like hundreds of others. There was little of note about Sands other than his close relationship with the then leading East Belfast Republican Denis Donaldson.


Shown here in a photograph taken and smuggled out of the Maze Prison, which has become an icon in Republican areas, Donaldson is shown on the left. He has of course been air-brushed out of Republican accounts recently. However it is a matter of fact that he too was a Hunger Striker in 1980 and a key prison strategist who helped plan the 1981 Strike. Perhaps Republicans ought to ask questions about whose idea the Strikes really were ?

Given the failure of the First Hunger Strike in 1980 which left many of the original Republican leadership in the jail close to death a new generation of leadership developed. Sands, something of a compromise candidate became the O.C. of the PIRA in the Maze Prison. He had previously been the Public Relations Officer during the Dirty Protest and succeeded Brendan Hughes as O.C., becoming the public face of the terrorist starvation strategy, and was put forward as a candidate in a local by-election in 1981

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.

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.

Continue reading the main story

“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

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.''

Celtic fans clash with Dutch police before defeat by Ajax in Amsterdam

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/06/celtic-fans-dutch-police-ajax-amsterdam?CMP=twt_gu

Eight police officers needed hospital treatment and more than 15 football fans were arrested after violent clashes before Wednesday's Champions League match between Celtic and Ajax in Amsterdam.

A spokesman for Amsterdam police said a large crowd of Celticsupporters turned on a group of plainclothes police officers in Dam Square, the city's historic heart shortly before 6pm local time, about three hours before kick-off in a match won 1-0 by Ajax.

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

Earlier in the day 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. The news portal nu.nl reported that fans of the Belgian club Anderlecht and followers of 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 PSV Eindhoven.

Amsterdam Police said it expected the number of 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, the Ajax coach Frank De Boer expressed hope that the tiny percentage of fans he described as "crazy" would not disrupt the game.

Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against the Dutch club after some of their supporters clashed with police and stewards at Parkhead last month during a match which the home side won 2-1.

The case will be dealt with by UEFA's control and disciplinary panel on November 21.

De Boer admitted that some Ajax fans remain a concern when asked if he was confident of the game passing off trouble-free.

"I am confident in that but you never know," said the former Rangers player.

"There is always some crazy people [who] try to disturb something but hopefully it will not happen."

Eight police injured as Celtic fans rampage through Amsterdam streets

http://news.stv.tv/west-central/2474...police-injured

Eight officers were injured as fans clashed in Amsterdam before Celtic's champions league match with Ajax.

Police said supporters armed with bottles and sticks fought in Dam Square on Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesman said the majority of the 15 arrested were Celtic fans.

"At the end of the afternoon a large group of Celtic supporters attacked police officers in plain clothes," a police spokesman told the Press Association.

"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."

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

Amsterdam police said it expected the number of 15 arrests to rise and that a final figures would be "high".