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Police foil mass soccer brawl
22/11/2006 13:35 - (SA)
Berlin - Hamburg police said on Wednesday
authorities had foiled a plan by English and German soccer
hooligans to organise a mass brawl late on Tuesday in the city's red light district.
German and British officers specialising in soccer violence
had discovered the plan and some 100 Germans and about 150
English, who are in the country for Chelsea's Champions League
match against Bremen on Wednesday, were detained.
Ulrike Sweden, a spokesperson for Hamburg police, said the men were so-called category C soccer fans, those who pre-arrange fights with rival hooligans.
A search of the men had revealed items including telescopic
truncheons, a hatchet and protective equipment such as shin
guards. Sweden said 18 men, both Germans and English, remained
in custody and investigations were continuing.
"We don't expect any more trouble in Hamburg but we'll have
to see what happens tonight in Bremen," she added.
A spokesperson for Bremen police said there had been no trouble involving soccer fans reported by 10:30 GMT on Wednesday.
"The situation seems calm so far but you never know what can
happen if the alcohol starts flowing," the spokesperson said.
Ten mounted officers had been drafted in from Hanover to
help in the policing operation, he added.
About 150 police, including officers from Hamburg, Bremen,
Dortmund and London, were involved in Tuesday's operation.
Chelsea's Group A match against Bremen kicks off at 19:45 GMT on Wednesday.
Chelsea are top with 10 points and need a point from their
last two games to be certain of a place in the last 16. Werder,
with seven points, are realistically vying for second spot.
- Reuters
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