November 22, 201213 yr The BBC's Alan Johnston said there was "fierce fighting" reported in the bar Tottenham fans injured in clashes in Rome A Tottenham Hotspur supporter has been seriously injured and several hurt in clashes with rival fans in Rome. Spurs are due to play Lazio in the Italian capital at 18:00 GMT in a Europa League match. The Spurs fan was stabbed at the Drunken Ship bar in the Campo de' Fiori district and is understood to have suffered a serious injury to an artery. The bar's owner said some 40 men wearing helmets and with faces covered attacked the English supporters. The Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera said at least seven Spurs fans, aged between 20 and 60, had been injured and taken to three hospitals. Rome police said five were British, one was from California and one from Bangladesh. La Repubblica reported "urban warfare" broke out at the bar, with up to 100 "Ultras" attacking Spurs fans. It said Lazio fans were armed with knives, baseball bats, and knuckle dusters. The owner of the bar, Mario Manzi, told the BBC: "At 1am there were around 30 English fans here, plus some American students, and some Italians. "At some point, from around the corner, some 40 guys, all wearing helmets, faces covered with scarves, came here, destroyed that window, and came in. "The English people hid behind here, and everything was destroyed. There were rocks, iron bars, everything." He said: "The English fans were very calm, they weren't even drunk, then these men with heads covered came barging in throwing cobblestones. They had clubs and metal rods. It lasted about 20 minutes." Mr Manzi added: "This was a planned thing. They had studied it. The English people had been here since the afternoon. They were circled, cornered, and weren't allowed to go out." The BBC's Rome correspondent, Alan Johnston, said the bar was wrecked and five people were arrested. All of them were Italians who the police believe to be Lazio fans. Rome police said the most seriously injured man was a 25-year-old who was being treated at San Camillo Hospital. The spokesman said: "A group of about 40 or 50 people in motorcycle helmets or with their faces covered were armed and attacked the group of English football fans drinking in Campo de' Fiori square." Spurs and Lazio played out a goalless draw in London in September Eyewitness Giuseppe Tamborra said: "I saw four people lying on the ground, one with his forehead cut open, probably with a stool taken from the bar. The Italians were very organised, with helmets, bats, even balaclavas. There were less people in the English group, the others were in a big group." A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was investigating and would provide consular assistance. Spurs and Lazio played out a goalless draw in September in a game which was marred by racist chanting by some Lazio fans. Tottenham defender Steven Caulker and his manager Andre Villas-Boas, speaking before the clashes, both voiced their hope that Thursday's game would not be overshadowed by racism. Caulker said: "I'm not worried about the atmosphere - I hope football does the talking. Italy is a great footballing country. Hopefully that will be the talking point." Lazio's "Ultra" hooligans have in the past been linked with fascism, while Tottenham have traditionally drawn support from the Jewish community. Match venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Thursday 22 November Kick-off: 18:00 GMT http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20442906
November 23, 201213 yr Lazio issue statement denying their fans' were involved in Rome bar attack on Tottenham supporters Lazio have denied their fans were responsible for a vicious attack in a Rome bar last night that has left one Tottenham fan in a serious condition in hospital. Rome police confirmed today that 50 armed hooligans stormed the Drunken Ship pub at 1am before embarking on a brutal attack that left several people injured. Italian sources said Spurs fan Ashley Mills, born in 1987 and believed to have been stabbed, was seriously injured and was being treated at the city's San Camillo Hospital. The hooligans rushed the bar armed with knuckle dusters, baseball bats and broken bottles in an attack described as ''obviously planned'' by officials. Tottenham fans had been signing and drinking in the Campo de Fiori venue ahead of tonight's Europa League game. Lazio's notorious 'Ultras' fanbase have been blamed for the attack, however, club president Claudio Lotito tonight denied such allegations, claiming instead ''foreigners'' were to blame. ''Lazio fans had nothing to do with what happened last night in Campo de Fiori,'' he said. ''When it emerges who was really responsible, some people will be surprised. It is all too easy to speak about aggression from people whose faces are covered and say that they are Lazio fans. ''This isn't the case. Do you know, for example, that among these criminals, who must be punished in a harsh manner, there were also three foreigners (ie non-Italians)? I maintain that Lazio fans had nothing to do with it.'' This evening, a spokeswoman from Rome police confirmed that Mr Mills was ''not in danger of death'' and would be kept in hospital for observation. Other injured fans were named as Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen with Tottenham claiming the local police had told them nine fans had been hurt. ''The person who was most seriously injured is not in danger of death and is resting in hospital until tomorrow. He suffered injuries to his skull and thigh,'' a spokeswoman said. Rome police also confirmed that one person had been arrested near the scene of the attacks, without revealing that individual's identity or whether they had been involved in the violence. The spokeswoman added: ''One person was arrested last night and brought in for interview, having been found in possession of drugs in the vicinity of the Campo dei Fiori.'' The pub landlord described the moment when the Spurs fans - who were ''well behaved'' and ''drinking and singing quietly'' - were attacked. Marco Manzi said: ''The bar was full of about 30 English supporters at 1am. Most of them were aged between 40 and 50 and they were well-behaved. ''Then arrived what I presume were Italian supporters wearing scooter helmets with their faces covered with scarves carrying stones and rocks. They arrived in the pub and they attacked the English supporters. ''Some of the English supporters tried to escape down Via dei Cappellari and it was in this street where one of them was hit by a knife. ''I think he was quite badly hurt but I don't know any more about him. ''The whole operation from start to finish was over in around 10 minutes. Most of the fans left and the police arrived.'' Lifelong Spurs fan Colin McAteer, 59, from Harlow, Essex, said he was worried about the atmosphere surrounding the match, which officials said will have added security. ''It's devastating when people get hurt and stabbed. It makes no sense,'' he said. ''I am here on a walking stick because of the trouble we had when we were out in Slovenia (when Spurs played in Maribor) ... someone could die from this. ''It's no good. There is no need for that. For what? Bravado? There's no need. You can't hate anybody that much that you want to stab them up. It was quite a surprise.'' He added: ''We have heard stories that we are going to get picked off when we cross the bridge to the stadium...It's a bad time here.''
November 23, 201213 yr Against Napoli last night for AIK, Helgi Danielsson scored a glancing, looping header from outside the box last night, and there was very little pace on the ball in, absolutely magical. Unfortunately can't find the highlights anywhere, but this post may remind me to do so later.
November 24, 201213 yr WBA in 3rd, and will stay in 3rd if Chelsea keeps up their current form tomorrow.
November 25, 201213 yr Stupid Football @StupidFootball The Alex Ferguson statue is good, but it's not as lifelike as the one Chelsea have got of Fernando Torres. :lol: C'mon Torres you're my frigging captain this weekend, a couple of your backside will do nicely!
November 25, 201213 yr Lazio issue statement denying their fans' were involved in Rome bar attack on Tottenham supporters Lazio have denied their fans were responsible for a vicious attack in a Rome bar last night that has left one Tottenham fan in a serious condition in hospital. Rome police confirmed today that 50 armed hooligans stormed the Drunken Ship pub at 1am before embarking on a brutal attack that left several people injured. Italian sources said Spurs fan Ashley Mills, born in 1987 and believed to have been stabbed, was seriously injured and was being treated at the city's San Camillo Hospital. The hooligans rushed the bar armed with knuckle dusters, baseball bats and broken bottles in an attack described as ''obviously planned'' by officials. Tottenham fans had been signing and drinking in the Campo de Fiori venue ahead of tonight's Europa League game. Lazio's notorious 'Ultras' fanbase have been blamed for the attack, however, club president Claudio Lotito tonight denied such allegations, claiming instead ''foreigners'' were to blame. ''Lazio fans had nothing to do with what happened last night in Campo de Fiori,'' he said. ''When it emerges who was really responsible, some people will be surprised. It is all too easy to speak about aggression from people whose faces are covered and say that they are Lazio fans. ''This isn't the case. Do you know, for example, that among these criminals, who must be punished in a harsh manner, there were also three foreigners (ie non-Italians)? I maintain that Lazio fans had nothing to do with it.'' This evening, a spokeswoman from Rome police confirmed that Mr Mills was ''not in danger of death'' and would be kept in hospital for observation. Other injured fans were named as Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen with Tottenham claiming the local police had told them nine fans had been hurt. ''The person who was most seriously injured is not in danger of death and is resting in hospital until tomorrow. He suffered injuries to his skull and thigh,'' a spokeswoman said. Rome police also confirmed that one person had been arrested near the scene of the attacks, without revealing that individual's identity or whether they had been involved in the violence. The spokeswoman added: ''One person was arrested last night and brought in for interview, having been found in possession of drugs in the vicinity of the Campo dei Fiori.'' The pub landlord described the moment when the Spurs fans - who were ''well behaved'' and ''drinking and singing quietly'' - were attacked. Marco Manzi said: ''The bar was full of about 30 English supporters at 1am. Most of them were aged between 40 and 50 and they were well-behaved. ''Then arrived what I presume were Italian supporters wearing scooter helmets with their faces covered with scarves carrying stones and rocks. They arrived in the pub and they attacked the English supporters. ''Some of the English supporters tried to escape down Via dei Cappellari and it was in this street where one of them was hit by a knife. ''I think he was quite badly hurt but I don't know any more about him. ''The whole operation from start to finish was over in around 10 minutes. Most of the fans left and the police arrived.'' Lifelong Spurs fan Colin McAteer, 59, from Harlow, Essex, said he was worried about the atmosphere surrounding the match, which officials said will have added security. ''It's devastating when people get hurt and stabbed. It makes no sense,'' he said. ''I am here on a walking stick because of the trouble we had when we were out in Slovenia (when Spurs played in Maribor) ... someone could die from this. ''It's no good. There is no need for that. For what? Bravado? There's no need. You can't hate anybody that much that you want to stab them up. It was quite a surprise.'' He added: ''We have heard stories that we are going to get picked off when we cross the bridge to the stadium...It's a bad time here.'' Off course they will say their fans had nothing to do with the violence. Like Roma said their fans had nothing to do with the violence scenes seen whenever an English team plays them.
November 25, 201213 yr The Serie A referees are a disaster, there's never a friggin' match without any "suspicious" episodes
November 27, 201213 yr pretty embarasing whaat happend @ stamford bridge... shallow fans.... shame on you..
November 27, 201213 yr [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvcJrRmeWtA]OM Joey Barton Talks With Funny French Accent - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ya3-VswoE]Hilarious! Jim White reaction to Joey Barton's French Accent - YouTube[/ame]
November 27, 201213 yr all 3 promoted clubs back in the relegation zone, and going by tonight's games, they all deserve to be there.
November 27, 201213 yr I'm about 90% sure Joey Barton's trolling at this stage, I mean his Twitter quote is "There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." Something's wrong there.
November 28, 201213 yr I think Joey Barton has just had people speaking to him like that all day in English...over there.. and in relection its the only way he is also understood by them. Its a bit silly of him to say French football is boring though cant see the fans liking that too much. Bet ya when he brings books out they will be best sellers...
November 28, 201213 yr Champions League may have 64 clubs & Europa League scrapped European football's governing body Uefa is considering ditching the Europa League in favour of extending the Champions League from 32 to 64 teams. "We're discussing it. We will make a decision in 2014. Nothing is decided yet," Uefa president Michel Platini told French newspaper Ouest-France. It means seven English clubs and five Scottish teams could enter at a qualifying round stage. Uefa is looking at changing the format of European competitions from 2015. "There is an ongoing debate to determine what form the European competitions will have between 2015 and 2018," added Platini. An extension of the group stages to a 64-team format could see seven English clubs qualify for the competition rather than the current four, and increase the number of Scottish teams participating from two to five. The Europa League has been criticised by some since it replaced the Uefa Cup in 2009 and exists in the shadow of the more lucrative Champions League. Last week Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said the Europa League was more difficult to negotiate than the Champions League because of its "heavier schedule" and Thursday night kick-offs. Despite that, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas - who won the competition with Porto in 2011 - has said he could not understand why the tournament was viewed as a punishment in England. The Champions League is far more financially beneficial, for Uefa and the clubs concerned, than Europe's second-tier tournament. Europe's governing body earned about £800m more from the Champions League than the Europa League last season, while Chelsea made £49m by winning the Champions League in 2012. Manchester United - who were knocked out in the Champions League group stages last year - received £28m. By comparison, last season's Europa League winners, Atletico Madrid, earned £8.5m in prize money and Fulham, knocked out of the group stages, won £2.2m. It has been reported that Europe's richest clubs will form a breakaway European league if the Champions League is not expanded. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said earlier this month that he would like to cut the number of teams competing in the top tier of domestic leagues and increase the number of clubs in the Champions League. But Platini, a former France international, said he was not worried by talk of a tournament to rival the Champions League being set up. "It's a question that is regularly brought up," he said. "I can't see how it could work outside the Uefa framework. Who will referee them? In what stadiums will they play?" http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20523405
November 28, 201213 yr Chelsea winless in 6. Fulham still holding a record of not having lost to Chelsea since 2010. On any other occasion I would've been delighted to see Marin come on (honestly, my computer cut out after his first touch), unless Oscar or Hazard hit an injury or really poor form (you could argue they have), the little elf will be bench-warming when he would be loved at most other clubs. Anyway, Fellaini is still awesome; Liverpool still have deep problems, if they still had someone like Torres instead of Suarez they would be fighting relegation atm. He's scored more than half of their goals this season.
November 29, 201213 yr It has been reported that Europe's richest clubs will form a breakaway European league if the Champions League is not expanded. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said earlier this month that he would like to cut the number of teams competing in the top tier of domestic leagues and increase the number of clubs in the Champions League. But Platini, a former France international, said he was not worried by talk of a tournament to rival the Champions League being set up. "It's a question that is regularly brought up," he said. "I can't see how it could work outside the Uefa framework. Who will referee them? In what stadiums will they play?" Yes that Rosell character said the same thing over a year ago, and also a few years before that, I haven't heard anyone else come forward, it's absolute nonsense. Effectively it won't be recognised in world football as an official cup, this will cause significant issues with sponsors for the Champions League, and with any sort of divide it always leads to an overall loss of revenue, in other words, everyone loses. There is not a hope they'll get several other big teams across Europe to defect from UEFA, and UEFA will make it as hard as possible for any team to do so.
November 30, 201213 yr Liverpool play Southampton tomorrow. Worried that it will turn into a match like the time the Reds lost to Blackpool at home 2 years ago! That loss against Tottenham was another poor one. Also what's happened to Newcastle the past month or so? I'm sensing the frustrations are mutual between them them and us at the moment.
December 1, 201213 yr 4-3 to Man United vs Reading after only 34mins, but Fergie no doubt looking to calm things down with a few defence minded subs, half time now.
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