Whites fans' fury at UEFA fine
WANDERERS fans tonight slammed a decision by UEFA to fine the club over violence in Madrid.
European football's governing body ordered the club to pay £5,000 after ruling Whites' supporters played a part in the trouble which marred the historic aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid on February 21.
Hundreds of fans who travelled to watch the game were battered by riot police in what club officials described as "overzealous" actions.
Their stance had been backed by Chief Superintendent Dave Lea, of Bolton police, who was in Madrid at the time. However, he accepted tonight that some fans had clearly vented their frustration with the situation.
UEFA concluded its investigation today and imposed the fine on Wanderers. Atletico Madrid was fined £15,000 for its fans' part in the drama.
Wanderers maintain that Spanish police must shoulder most of the blame.
The club said in a statement: "We believe the level of fine reflects the fact that the vast majority of Wanderers supporters were well behaved.
"The club is firmly of the view that the majority of blame for any crowd unrest involving the Bolton supporters remains with the inappropriate and aggressive actions of the Madrid Police.
"However, Bolton Wanderers also clearly recognises that UEFA has no direct jurisdiction or sanctioning power over the operations of the Spanish police."
The club will not appeal against the fine.
But fans who were injured when attacked by the police are shocked by the ruling and say it is an undeserved slur on the club's reputation.
Daniel Voiels, aged 18, from Atherton, was hit over the head and shoulder with a baton. He needed stitches in his head, while his shoulder was badly bruised.
He said: "I'm totally shocked by this decision because from what I saw Wanderers fans were innocent.
"I did nothing wrong but was one of the unfortunate people who was attacked. I am very angry about the decision because it tarnishes our reputation when we don't deserve it."
Self-employed plasterer Phill Hales, aged 36, had his thumb broken when he was attacked and has been unable to work since.
He said: "The money is nothing but in principle we have been punished when we did nothing wrong.
"This just beggars belief.
"If this had happened in England we would have been kicked out of the competition for years but this decision has condoned the Spanish police's behaviour."
Jimmy Bye, aged 39, from Heaton, was hit on the knee by a policeman as he tried to help an injured fan.
He said: "I'm absolutely disgusted. It's unbelievable.
"I hoped something would be done this time but it just goes to prove that the Spanish officials on the UEFA board have got their way."
A statement from UEFA said: "Atletico were punished for the throwing of missiles and fireworks by spectators, crowd disturbances and insufficient organisation, while Bolton were fined for crowd disturbances. Both clubs may lodge appeals within three days of receipt of the grounds for the decision."
Chief Supt Lea said: "We provided UEFA with a full dossier events and they have reached their conclusion. At the end of the match it was clear that there were some Bolton fans who expressed their frustration."
10:17pm Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: keithyt, Bolton on 11:09pm Thu 20 Mar 08
They are not even going to appeal, yet another slap in the face for the fans. This club deserve to end up in the conference with no fans
They are not even going to appeal, yet another slap in the face for the fans. This club deserve to end up in the conference with no fans
Posted by: davroduk, Hindley on 11:18pm Thu 20 Mar 08
At the end of the day £5000 is a drop in the ocean to a Premier League club.
Its a Token slap on the wrist.
Everyone is seen to do something about it and it is swept under the carpet.
Ill bet we spend more than £5000 per year on paper for the printers at the Reebok.
Not even a weeks wages for the lowest paid First Team player.
At the end of the day £5000 is a drop in the ocean to a Premier League club.
Its a Token slap on the wrist.
Everyone is seen to do something about it and it is swept under the carpet.
Ill bet we spend more than £5000 per year on paper for the printers at the Reebok.
Not even a weeks wages for the lowest paid First Team player.
Posted by: saudi wanderer, Aspull on 12:38am Fri 21 Mar 08
A totally farcical outcome, the Spanish authorities should show their metal by holding an inquiry. Our government should demand one, since a senior police officer witnessed the Madrid police thugs dishing out unprovoked violence against men, women and children. Phil Gartside should demand the same and Madrid should be banned from all EUFA competitions for 5 years. If this had happened in Bolton we would not hear the end of it, Mr Platini would be screaming for our expulsion
A totally farcical outcome, the Spanish authorities should show their metal by holding an inquiry. Our government should demand one, since a senior police officer witnessed the Madrid police thugs dishing out unprovoked violence against men, women and children. Phil Gartside should demand the same and Madrid should be banned from all EUFA competitions for 5 years. If this had happened in Bolton we would not hear the end of it, Mr Platini would be screaming for our expulsion
Posted by: tax payer, Bolton on 1:35am Fri 21 Mar 08
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=jA2uA-59a
4Y
take a look. 1:12 to 1:14 shows a Bolton fan throw a chair at a Spanish policeman,
From what I have seen on video recording it is a minority of Wanderers fans who have acted like animals, and the fine is too little!!!
Fine the club such that they can't afford to stay in the prem this year. rofl
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=jA2uA-59a
4Y
take a look. 1:12 to 1:14 shows a Bolton fan throw a chair at a Spanish policeman,
From what I have seen on video recording it is a minority of Wanderers fans who have acted like animals, and the fine is too little!!!
Fine the club such that they can't afford to stay in the prem this year. rofl
Posted by: wtf, Bolton on 9:50am Fri 21 Mar 08
I think the fine should be paid directly to the Spanish Police to replace their equipment. I saw several Bolton fans repeatedly throwing heads against those jolly police mens batons and boots. Not sure how many batons u get for £5 grand but it should at least cover the cost of removing the blood and sinew,
I think the fine should be paid directly to the Spanish Police to replace their equipment. I saw several Bolton fans repeatedly throwing heads against those jolly police mens batons and boots. Not sure how many batons u get for £5 grand but it should at least cover the cost of removing the blood and sinew,
Posted by: keithyt, Bolton on 11:16am Fri 21 Mar 08
[quote][bold]wtf[/bold] wrote:
I think the fine should be paid directly to the Spanish Police to replace their equipment. I saw several Bolton fans repeatedly throwing heads against those jolly police mens batons and boots. Not sure how many batons u get for £5 grand but it should at least cover the cost of removing the blood and sinew,[/quote] Perhaps the Police should spend it on more protective clothing for the Police, they were very exposed and under equipped to cope with the many hundreds of thousand Bolton fans
wtf wrote:
I think the fine should be paid directly to the Spanish Police to replace their equipment. I saw several Bolton fans repeatedly throwing heads against those jolly police mens batons and boots. Not sure how many batons u get for £5 grand but it should at least cover the cost of removing the blood and sinew,
Perhaps the Police should spend it on more protective clothing for the Police, they were very exposed and under equipped to cope with the many hundreds of thousand Bolton fans
Posted by: RockyRereturns, Bicester on 7:47pm Fri 21 Mar 08
[quote][bold]georgyboy[/bold] wrote:
the spanish have got away with murder(again)racist chanting ,that obscene carry on with lewis hamilton,overreactio again by their poice ,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A PRIMITIVE RACE??people who love bullfighting are evil ,it will take generations to become humane in nature ,it will not happen overnight [/quote] People who like throwing spears at wild animals.
Says it all really!!!!
No wonder ETA are blowing their own brothers and sisters apart.
georgyboy wrote:
the spanish have got away with murder(again)racist chanting ,that obscene carry on with lewis hamilton,overreactio again by their poice ,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A PRIMITIVE RACE??people who love bullfighting are evil ,it will take generations to become humane in nature ,it will not happen overnight
People who like throwing spears at wild animals.
Says it all really!!!!
No wonder ETA are blowing their own brothers and sisters apart.
Posted by: beer ok, alcatraz on 8:36pm Fri 21 Mar 08
This is a strange one because UEFA reckon they cant do anything about the antics of the spanish police, but yet they fine Wanderers because the fans reacted to police attacking them without justification.
It only goes to prove (yet again!!) that UEFA and FIFA dont see racism and crowd violence as a problem. Unless of course when it happens in England then they are down on us straight away.
There is so much of an agenda against English football from UEFA and FIFA, but yet our FA are too scared to tackle them about it.
Who mentioned bullrings - any chance of sticking Ashley Cole back in his Arsenal kit and chucking him in!!
This is a strange one because UEFA reckon they cant do anything about the antics of the spanish police, but yet they fine Wanderers because the fans reacted to police attacking them without justification.
It only goes to prove (yet again!!) that UEFA and FIFA dont see racism and crowd violence as a problem. Unless of course when it happens in England then they are down on us straight away.
There is so much of an agenda against English football from UEFA and FIFA, but yet our FA are too scared to tackle them about it.
Who mentioned bullrings - any chance of sticking Ashley Cole back in his Arsenal kit and chucking him in!!
Posted by: expat, manc on 9:10pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Strange, lots of articles about this fine, but no reviews of the wanderers last game in the UEFA cup??
Mmm... the coverage leads all the way up to our manager leaving the first team squad at home.
Strange, lots of articles about this fine, but no reviews of the wanderers last game in the UEFA cup??
Mmm... the coverage leads all the way up to our manager leaving the first team squad at home.
Posted by: trotters1964, preston on 8:44pm Sun 23 Mar 08
as taxpayer is so keen to find evidence to slate law abiding citizens with, what does he suggest should happen to the spanish police and their actions against women and children or does one ot two idiots throwing a chair justify everything that went on after, tax payers ethos would be, men are all rapists therefore castrate them all, as ive never seen any other threads on this wanderers part of the site from 'taxpayer' i suspect he/she is another wind up merchant. perhaps he/she should make some comments on hillsborough on the liverpool website or did all those people deserve to die taxpayer, in your twisted view they did because some of them crossed the police, would you still be saying this if someone had died in spain, peronally i think you should make an apology.
as taxpayer is so keen to find evidence to slate law abiding citizens with, what does he suggest should happen to the spanish police and their actions against women and children or does one ot two idiots throwing a chair justify everything that went on after, tax payers ethos would be, men are all rapists therefore castrate them all, as ive never seen any other threads on this wanderers part of the site from 'taxpayer' i suspect he/she is another wind up merchant. perhaps he/she should make some comments on hillsborough on the liverpool website or did all those people deserve to die taxpayer, in your twisted view they did because some of them crossed the police, would you still be saying this if someone had died in spain, peronally i think you should make an apology.
Posted by: Jay Jay O, Lancaster on 4:55pm Tue 25 Mar 08
15,000? Madrid will have that in there back poket. A few mill would turn there heads.
15,000? Madrid will have that in there back poket. A few mill would turn there heads.
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