Danish police fear more brawls after European soccer final

May 17, 2000
Web posted at: 10:38 p.m. EDT (0538 GMT)

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

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CNN) -- After a morning of street battles, police braced for a possible new round of clashes between fans of rival soccer clubs as Galatasaray became the first Turkish team to win a major European title Wednesday.

Turkish and British fans fought police and each other in Copenhagen before the European Football Association (UEFA) Cup final between Galatasaray and Britain's Arsenal. Police used tear gas, dogs and batons on about 100 British soccer fans, arresting at least 10 people; At least three fans were reported stabbed in the afternoon brawls.

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

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.

Police had 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.

Authorities in Copenhagen assembled a force of about 2,000 police officers has been assembled from throughout Denmark in anticipation of the game at Parken stadium. Airport authorities set up separate terminals to keep the British and Turks apart.

But the rival fans fought pitched battles in central Copenhagen, beating each other with fists, chairs and other handy objects. The violence continued for Almost two hours before Danish police were able to bring it under control.

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," Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming 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

The official UEFA website
Arsenal Football Club official WebSite
Galatasaray - soccer squad information
Wonderful Copenhagen

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.