Latest news with #footballviolence
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
PSG 'barbarians' tear Paris apart: 426 arrested and 205 people injured, with a 17-year-old killed, in Champions League celebrations... as city braces for more chaos at tonight's parade
A teenager was stabbed to death and 294 people were arrested in the French capital alone during intense nationwide violence following Paris St Germain being crowned European football champions. Police reported riots and looting as the club beat Inter Milan in Munich, Germany, in the final of the Champions League on Saturday night. One of the worst incidents took place in Dax, in the south-west of France, where a 17-year-old was knifed in the stomach. 'He was part of a crowd celebrating the PSG win in designated fanzone, and died from his wounds in hospital' said a local police spokesman, without naming the deceased. 'An investigation is underway, and CCTV is being used to try and find those responsible.' In Grenoble, in eastern France, a car attempting 'a handbrake turn on a tram line' ploughed into a young family of four, severely wounding them. Three of those hurt, two of them female, were still in intensive care on Sunday morning, as the unidentified car driver remained in custody. A total of 294 people were arrested for football-related violence and looting in Paris as France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, described trouble makers as 'barbarians'. Reacted to the disorder on X, Mr Retailleau said: 'True PSG fans are getting excited about their team's magnificent performance. 'Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement. 'I have asked the internal security forces to react vigorously to these abuses. 'I offer my support to the Police Prefect and all the police officers who are ensuring everyone's safety this evening. 'It is unacceptable that it is not possible to party without fearing the savagery of a minority of thugs who respect nothing.' Major roads close to Parc des Princes, the PSG home ground were invaded by fans, bringing traffic to a halt. Fireworks were set off as supporters and police officers clashed in violent scenes Major roads close to Parc des Princes, the PSG home ground were invaded by fans, bringing traffic to a halt which led to riot police trying to restore order using tear gas and baton charges This led to riot police trying to restore order using tear gas and baton charges. Cars were set on fire around the Porte de Saint-Cloud – a major traffic intersection, where rocket fireworks were fired at police. Huge crowds gathered in all the city's major squares, including République, Bastille, and Nation, where videos posted on X showed some of the worst violence. At Bastille, a 23-year-old woman was seriously injured after falling onto barriers from the famous column commemorating the Storming of the Bastille in 1789. A ring of steel had been created around the Champs-Élysées, with major department stores and banks using steel shutters to try and keep looters away. PSG's official club shops on the Champs, and at their ground, were also barricaded over the weekend. Despite this, a Foot Locker sports store on Champs-Élysées was broken into, and goods including multiple trainers stolen. A Maisons du Monde furniture store on the nearby Avenue Wagram was also looted, said a police spokesman. Despite a ring of steel forming around the city to protect businesses, a Foot Locker sports store on Champs-Élysées was broken into, and goods including multiple trainers stolen A ring of steel had been created around the Champs-Élysées, with major department stores and banks using steel shutters to try and keep looters away Some fans climbed on top of cars to continue the celebration in tot he night, damaging and vandalising property throughout the city There was even fighting reported around the Eiffel Tower, which was lit up in PSG's red, white and blue following their 5-0 win Bikes were set on fire as crowds walked along the Champs Elysees avenue near the Arc de Triomphe At Bastille, a 23-year-old woman was seriously injured after falling onto barriers from the famous column commemorating the Storming of the Bastille in 1789 Youths wearing masks and hoodies were meanwhile seen roaming around the city looking for trouble 'The crowds are going wild,' said an eye-witness, who asked to be referred to as Jacques, 18. 'Many people are just enjoying the win, on a historic night for PSG, while others just want to be violent, and to vandalise or steal stuff – it is shameful.' Youths wearing masks and hoodies were meanwhile seen roaming around the city looking for trouble. Motorbikes and discarded mattresses were set alight, sending thick black smoke billowing through the night sky. There was even fighting reported around the Eiffel Tower, which was lit up in PSG's red, white and blue following their 5-0 win. Around 5,400 police officers were on duty across the Paris, as trouble was always expected, whatever the result. PSG fans have an increasingly bad reputation for hooliganism, and some attacked fans from Arsenal and Aston Villa during this year's Champions League campaign. There was also trouble reported in Munich, where rival French and Italian fans fought each other.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Football fan killed with one punch in clash outside pub
A Burnley supporter who killed a Blackpool fan with a single punch to the face has been jailed. The disturbance happened outside The Manchester pub on Blackpool Promenade at around 7.20pm on March 4, 2023, hours after the Championship game earlier in the day at Bloomfield Road. Jake Balmforth, 35, punched Tony Johnson, 55, punched Mr Johnson once in the face, and the incident was caught on CCTV. Police at the scene provided emergency medical assistance before Mr Johnson was taken to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Mr Johnson, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital two days later without regaining consciousness. Balmforth, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a six-day trial earlier this month. Balmforth had travelled to the Lancashire resort to watch Burnley and was in the Manchester pub which was a designated pub for Burnley supporters. Mr Johnson was among a group of Blackpool fans who gathered outside the pub. Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, jailed him for five years on Thursday. Balmforth was also issued a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Constabulary 's Major Investigation Team said: 'My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family. 'It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial. 'This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be. 'Jake Balmforth was convicted by the jury of Mr Johnson's manslaughter and will have to carry that burden for the rest of his life.' Katie Lord, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: 'This case is a tragic reminder that one punch can kill. 'When violence broke out between rival football fans in a Blackpool pub, Jake Balmforth punched Anthony Johnson, with fatal consequences. 'In addition to prosecuting Balmforth for manslaughter, we also successfully made an application for a football banning order to be imposed on him to prevent him from committing further football related violence. 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Johnson who bear his loss, we hope today's sentence offers them some semblance of closure.' Eight other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on August 4.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Burnley fan jailed for fatal one-punch attack on Blackpool supporter
A man who killed a rival football fan with a single punch has been Balmforth, 35, punched Tony Johnson, as rival fans clashed outside The Manchester pub on Blackpool Promenade after Blackpool played Burnley on 4 March Johnson, 55, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital two days later without regaining Robert Altham, Honorary Recorder of Preston, sentenced Balmforth, from Burnley, to five years after he was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court earlier this month. The disturbance happened hours after the Championship match earlier in the day in had travelled to the resort to watch Burnley and was in The Manchester sports bar, which was a designated pub for Burnley Johnson was among a group of Blackpool supporters who gathered outside the the trouble that followed, Balmforth punched Mr Johnson once in the face, and the incident was caught on at the scene provided emergency medical assistance before Mr Johnson was taken to Blackpool Victoria of Tarvin Close, was also given a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows said: "My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family."It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial."This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be."Following Mr Johnson's death, his partner paid tribute to him, saying she was "devastated" to have lost her "best friend, life partner and soul mate"."We all, as a family, are so heartbroken and our lives are never going to be the same," she other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 4 August. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Aberdeen player left with head injury after his own fans threw a chair
Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie has sustained a head injury after his own fans threw part of a chair following the team's match against Dundee United. Fans invaded the pitch at Tannadice following Aberdeen 's 2-1 defeat, which clinched United fourth spot in the William Hill Premiership. MacKenzie, an unused substitute, was struck by an object thrown from the section holding Aberdeen fans. He was given treatment on the field before being taken away in a wheelchair. He was seen with a bloodied bandage around his head and required stitches. 'Part of a chair was thrown from the upper deck of the Fair Play Stand striking an Aberdeen player,' Police Scotland said. 'He received treatment at the scene and will require further medical assessment.' United's lap of honour was called off afterwards. 'What's happened is totally unacceptable. It is actually a bad injury but Jack is OK so let's see how it feels after more minutes,' Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin said. 'It is not acceptable, it is really really bad. I haven't seen exactly what happened but our player got hurt, bad. I think everyone understands that is not OK. 'You are a football player in a football game and get hit like that. We just take care of the player now and take it from there.' United boss Jim Goodwin, who was pelted with missiles from Dons fans when they visited in December, also condemned the violence. 'It's an absolute disgrace,' he said. 'I'm gutted for Jack MacKenzie, who's a terrific young player, and for him to be hit and seriously damaged by an object thrown by his own supporters, it's crazy. And it's not the first time. 'I've had a number of objects thrown at me throughout the season by the Aberdeen supporters and nothing has been done about it. 'So maybe it'll take a serious incident like this to happen in order for the authorities to really step in, take notice and punish those guys and ban them from football for life.' Police match commander Supt Ray Birnie said: 'This was a mindless act which has seriously injured the player resulting in him needing medical treatment. 'This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I'd appeal to all fans to help us trace the person responsible.' An SPFL spokesperson said: 'It's enormously disappointing and frustrating that one of the most exciting games in the season has been marred by such moronic behaviour. 'We await the match delegate report but will work closely with both clubs and Police Scotland to help identify the perpetrator and fully expect that appropriately severe footballing and judicial sanctions will be imposed.' A statement from Aberdeen said MacKenzie had sustained a 'serious facial injuries'. 'We await further information, but what we know for sure, the chair was thrown from the stand in which the Aberdeen supporters were being housed. 'As such, we are calling on all fans who may have witnessed this event to contact the club to provide any information that may assist us in our investigations and wider discussions with the relevant authorities. 'When the perpetrator is identified, we will take the strongest possible action available to us.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Totally unacceptable – Jack MacKenzie hit by object thrown by Aberdeen fans
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin described the head injury to defender Jack MacKenzie from an object thrown by his own fans after the 2-1 defeat against Dundee United as 'totally unacceptable.' Home fans invaded the pitch at Tannadice after the final-day win which clinched fourth spot in the William Hill Premiership and a place in Europe. Amid the chaos, MacKenzie, an unused substitute, was struck by a missile seemingly thrown from the section holding Aberdeen fans and was given lengthy treatment before being taken away in a wheelchair with a bloodied bandage around his head and stitches were required. United's lap of honour was called off and afterwards Thelin said: 'What's happened is totally unacceptable. It is actually a bad injury but Jack is OK so let's see how it feels after more minutes. 'It is not acceptable, it is really really bad. I haven't seen exactly what happened but our player got hurt, bad. I think everyone understands that is not OK. 'He got treatment already and the medical team did really well. There is the shock also when this happens. 'You are a football player in a football game and get hit like that. We just take care of the player now and take it from there.' United boss Jim Goodwin, who was pelted with missiles from Dons fans when they visited in December, was equally condemnatory. The former Aberdeen manager said: 'It's an absolute disgrace. I'm gutted for Jack MacKenzie, who's a terrific young player, and for him to be hit and seriously damaged by an object thrown by his own supporters, it's crazy. And it's not the first time. Jimmy Thelin spoke to RedTV after our game with Dundee Utd. — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 17, 2025 'I've had a number of objects thrown at me throughout the season by the Aberdeen supporters and nothing has been done about it. 'So maybe it'll take a serious incident like this to happen in order for the authorities to really step in, take notice and punish those guys and ban them from football for life.' Fraser Wishart, PFA Scotland chief executive, witnessed the scenes at the end of the game in his media role. He said: 'Jack MacKenzie is one of the PFA Scotland management committee so he was at a meeting the other day. So when you see him being wheeled off you are obviously pretty concerned. 'I have been warning for a long time that something like this would happen if we don't stop it. I don't get the mentality of anyone who would throw an object of any kind at a player. 'It is like Groundhog Day and I have always said if someone was to get hurt we are into a different domain. A player in this case is possibly going to come to us and then we are going to say what are we going to do. 'It is difficult for the authorities and the clubs, I get all of that but we are denying there is an issue here. I think over the whole season we have seen incidents and our members endangered on the field of play and this one is after the game as well. 'So something has to be done. There has to be conversations between the governing bodies, the clubs, ourselves, the managers and coaching associations to try and find a way out of this as it can't go on. These incidents are on the rise.' An SPFL spokesperson said: 'It's enormously disappointing and frustrating that one of the most exciting games in the season has been marred by such moronic behaviour. 'We await the match delegate report but will work closely with both clubs and Police Scotland to help identify the perpetrator and fully expect that appropriately severe footballing and judicial sanctions will be imposed.'
