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Blood stains streets as rioting Chelsea fans fight each other
Jack Lefley and Justin Davenport22.05.08
Riot police fought running battles with football hooligans as violence erupted in London after Chelsea's Champions League Final defeat.
Around 200 drunken fans clashed with police outside Fulham Broadway Tube station, close to the club's Stamford Bridge ground.
The trouble started soon after Chelsea's defeat on penalties against Manchester United in Moscow.
Hundreds of Chelsea supporters who had been watching the game on TV in pubs and bars on Fulham Broadway poured onto the streets.
The scene turned ugly when a huge crowd who had been noisy and abusive and chanting songs began hurling objects at police and passers-by.
Shortly after 11pm, dozens of police riot vans raced to the scene with sirens blaring.
A squad of around 100 officers sealed off the street and contained the crowd outside the Tube station.
Blood stained the pavement outside the building which houses the station and a shopping centre.
As the stand-off developed hooligans - including several young women - hurled bottles and dustbins at police before running back into the crowd.
Many thugs covered their faces with scarves as they taunted police. Officers in riot gear and wielding batons charged the crowd to disperse them as missiles rained down.
Security guard Raheem Khan tried to protect terrified passengers using the Tube station. He said: "I saw Chelsea fans fighting each other, throwing punches and kicks. There was blood everywhere. The police were trying to control the number of people coming into the station but it got out of hand.
"They were throwing bottles and anything they could get their hands on at police and staff. We locked the doors to keep the hooligans out but they were trying to force their way in.
"Normal passengers and fans were screaming, children were crying, and I was getting as many as I could to safety out of a back exit. Outside it was like a full-scale riot. All over a game of football - it's unbelievable."
A police helicopter hovered overhead monitoring the trouble and spotting ringleaders. There were dramatic scenes as police snatch squads then cornered individuals in the street and dragged them into police vans.
At one point a suspected drunk driver attempted to drive down Fulham Broadway and collided with a football supporter. The fan suffered a broken leg and the driver was pulled from his car for his own safety after being surrounded by angry supporters.
Police arrested the driver for drink driving, grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving. Officers also fought running battles with smaller groups in side streets as they tried to regain control. Several supporters suffered head injuries after being hit by flying bottles or being struck by police batons.
Twelve people were arrested for public order offences. The ambulance service took 14 people to hospital and treated four others at the scene. Most injuries were relatively minor head wounds and facial injuries. No police officers were injured.
Some fans claimed they were targeted indiscriminately and accused police of "heavy-handed" tactics but officers insisted they were specifically targeting troublemakers.
Student Peter Simmons, 20, of Fulham, said: "They were just lashing out at anyone. It was outrageous. I was trying to get a girl out of there because she was frightened but one officer went for me anyway."
Supporters also pelted police cars and ambulances with missiles. Some were seen to empty bins searching for bottles to hurl. Glass and debris scattered the street outside the station and a car was also badly damaged.
Around 100 riot police eventually dispersed the crowd. A Scotland Yard spokesman said the main disturbance was under control by around midnight.
He added: "There were around 200 people gathered in Fulham Broadway who became noisy and abusive. Disorder started with objects being thrown.
"Officers from the Territorial Support Group provided assistance to local officers. A number of arrests were made before the remainder of crowd were dispersed." The disturbance came a week after thousands of Glasgow Rangers fans rioted in Manchester city centre following their UEFA Cup Final defeat.
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So sad that these thugs have nothing better to do. Makes me absolutely ashamed to be English. If only the police had been more heavy handed and taken them off the streets for good! Would save us all a lot of trouble and, ultimately tax payers' money!
- Lara, Sydney, Australia
Motorbike vandalised, The Pelican bar's window smashed and an annoying helicopter flying over my house, what a let down for the face of Chelsea and Stamford Bridge.
- Abs, Moore Park, Fulham Broadway, London
They sing "Blue is the Colour" and then paint the town red with blood.
Morons!
- Tangomike, Kensington, London
