British soccer fans, Danish police clash

Violence comes before final cup match with Turkey

May 17, 2000
Web posted at: 11:19 a.m. EDT (1819 GMT)

In this story: Fatal clash last month Hooligans spoil games RELATED STORIES, SITES

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Danish police and British soccer fans clashed in Copenhagen on Wednesday prior to the UEFA Cup final match between the Turkish and British soccer teams.

A reporter on the scene said that police used tear gas, dogs and batons on about 100 British soccer fans. Police would not confirm the use of such riot-control measures.

Minutes before that clash, British fans fought with Turkish fans near Copenhagen's town square.

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CNN's Kieran Baker shows the violence. QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

English fans reportedly tried to storm the gates of the Tivoli amusement park, but failed to gain entry when the gates were closed.

Police stepped up security Wednesday after fighting outside a bar Tuesday night left a British man stabbed and at least seven other people, including a police officer, injured. Ten people have been arrested.

Fans issued chilling warnings of further trouble after the British fan was stabbed.

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From CNNSI.com - Complete UEFA Cup coverage

A force of about 2,000 police officers has been assembled from throughout Denmark in anticipation of the Wednesday night game between the English club, Arsenal and Turkey's Galatasaray team at Parken stadium.

There will be a lot more police on the streets today and we hope that we will be able to prevent riots like those last night," Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Munch told Reuters news service.

Top officials of the European Football Association (UEFA) met in an emergency meeting Wednesday morning in Copenhagen. Details of their meeting were unavailable.

With the match just hours away, Copenhagen's streets were reported to be quiet Wednesday afternoon.

More than 10,000 Turkish fans and about 12,500 Arsenal fans were expected to attend the UEFA Cup final, one of the highlights of the European club soccer season.

Between 7,000 and 10,000 English fans were expected to arrive in the city by midday Wednesday. Airport authorities have set up separate terminals to keep the British and Turks apart.

Fatal clash last month

Police are particularly wary of the match because of past clashes between Turkish and English fans.

Last month, two British fans were killed during the cup semi- final tie between Leeds United and Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Witnesses said fighting broke out late Tuesday after a group of Turks tried to enter a crowded bar where English soccer fans were celebrating.

The British man, whose name was unavailable, was in stable condition Wednesday after suffering stab wounds in the back and lungs.

"We have been told by the hospital that his life is not in danger," Munch said.

The police officer was struck in the face with a rock.

Of the 10 who were arrested, seven were Turks who live in Denmark. They were expected to face charges such as committing violence against police officers.

The others arrested are British visitors who were expected to be ordered out of the country.

Hooligans spoil games

Soccer hooliganism has marred some matches for years in Europe, although Arsenal fans have a reputation for being relatively orderly.

The Turks rarely have been in trouble abroad but they boast of making Istanbul "hell" for visiting teams.

Both clubs have appealed to supporters to keep the peace.

"This is a football match, not a war and the cup will be worth nothing if blood is spilled," Galatasaray president Faruk Suren said.

An Arsenal spokesman said the club would "take the strongest possible measures against any of our fans found guilty of causing trouble here."

As a precaution, authorities have erected iron fencing outside the 39,000-seat stadium to separate British and Turkish fans. At the request of the UEFA, another fence has been put up inside around the playing field.

Police officers from Belgium and the Netherlands are observing Danish police as part of their preparations for the European Championships, a soccer competition between nations taking place next month in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Ann Thomsen and Bjarne Siewertsen of CNN.dk, Correspondent Kieran Baker and Reuters contributed to this report.

British, Turkish fans clash on eve of soccer finals
May 16, 2000

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