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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Footbal Hooliganism
NYR2119935	posted on 10-08-2001 @ 12:47 PM
Psychopath Registered: May. 00	http://espn.go.com/soccer/news/2001/1006/1260484.html Fans bring halt to match [ESPN.com news services] PARIS -- The first soccer match between France and Algeria was abandoned Saturday after fans invaded the Stade de France pitch. France led the exhibition match 4-1 when a small number of fans waving Algerian flags ran onto the field. Play was briefly interrupted as security personnel rounded them up, but hundreds of fans from the capacity crowd of 80,000 at Stade de France then streamed onto the grass in the 73rd minute of play, overwhelming staff. Ten minutes later, French team manager Henri Emile confirmed the match had been abandoned as riot policemen entered the stadium. It was the first game between the two nations since Algeria claimed their independence from France in 1962. France has a large Algerian community. French soccer federation chairman Claude Simonet and French sports minister Marie-George Buffet called on supporters to avoid clashes while leaving the stadium. "I'm calling on you to stay calm and to go back home quietly," said Simonet, speaking into a loud-speaker. "I'm really sad tonight because if you love your country you must respect its national team. I'm really sad Algeria were not allowed to play this to the end." "When you see something like this, you must be disappointed," said Algerian striker Farid Ghazi. "We came here to play and to have a good time. It's a shame the match ended like this." France had been poised for victory after AS Roma's Vincent Candela put the hosts in front in the 20th minute, volleying home a cross by Arsenal's Robert Pires. Chelsea's Emmanuel Petit and Arsenal's Thierry Henry added a goal apiece in the 32nd and 41st minutes before Olympique Marseille's Djamel Belmadi reduced the deficit for the visitors just before the break. In the second half, Pires netted France's fourth goal in the 55th minute. There were no immediate reports or arrests of injuries. The match was the first between the countries since Algeria gained independence from France in 1962. France has a large Algerian community. CART Taco Bell Ice Hockey MetallicA
NYR2119935	posted on 10-08-2001 @ 12:49 PM
Psychopath Registered: May. 00	http://espn.go.com/soccer/news/2001/1005/1260076.html Video evidence used to catch fan [Associated Press] GLASGOW, Scotland -- A Glasgow Celtic fan accused of taunting Claudio Reyna by imitating an airplane, apparently in reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was banned by the club Friday. David Munro, 32, was banned from Celtic Park after he was seen on television with his arms outstretched as Reyna, a Rangers midfielder who is the U.S. captain, prepared to take a corner kick in the Old Firm game at Ibrox last Sunday. Munro denied he was making a reference to the attacks. "Following a thorough investigation into events at last weekend's match at Ibrox, Celtic Football Club has taken the decision to ban David Munro indefinitely from Celtic Park with immediate effect," Celtic chief executive Ian McLeod said. "Having taken all information into account, it is clear that Mr. Munro was responsible for highly inappropriate conduct, which has in turn brought Celtic Football Club into disrepute," he said. The Old Firm match is one of the most bitterly contested in soccer, with the clubs divided along mostly sectarian lines -- Roman Catholics supporting Celtic and Protestants behind Rangers. Munro described his actions as a "moment of madness," but insisted he only realized they could be seen as referring to the terrorist attacks afterward. Celtic won the game 2-0. CART Taco Bell Ice Hockey MetallicA

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